Jade Plant Turning Purple: Causes and How to Fix!

Is your jade plant turning purple? Calm down, my friend! As a plant enthusiast, I can understand your situation, and it’s normal to be worried sometimes.

If your jade plant starts changing color from green to purple, it’s a sign that it usually happens when the plant is under some stress conditions. There are numerous reasons why the jade plant can turn purple which mostly include overexposure to the sun, extreme temperature swings, and phosphorus deficiency.

So, without much further delay, let us discuss these reasons that turn your jade plant green to purple and how you can fix this issue!

Jade Plants Overview

Jade plants are easy to grow and care for. Like every other plant, they will also need the proper care and attention to develop healthily. The name itself means bright, jewel-green foliage. It produces vibrant and colorful foliage, which if kept in the house brings a pleasant environment. Jade plants adapt well to warm and dry climates because of their woody stems and oval-shaped leaves which conserve water in them.

Jade plants are among the popular plants to grow and are widespread all around the world. These plants are adaptable and can change color in response to their environment and surrounding situations.

Reason For The Jade Plants To Turn Purple

There are many different reasons why your jade plant can turn purple, but one of the prominent ones is when it is under stress. The other reasons include overexposure to the sun, extreme temperature swings, and phosphorus deficiency. All of which can raise the anthocyanin content of the jade plant and change its color from green to purple.

Although jade plants might be adaptable and flexible plants in nature if they are not properly taken care of and lack amenities, then it can lead to the plant turning purple. I have listed below some of the reasons for the jade plant to turn purple.

1. Lack of light in jade plants

A plant’s growth and development are significantly influenced by sunlight. The plant will eventually lose its color and wilt away if it does not get the right quantity of light. Similarly, jade plants need to thrive in bright indirect light. They require a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. The jade plant can experience several issues from inadequate sunlight, which can also cause it to turn purple.

Jade plants, if kept in a dark or scheduled area, will produce anthocyanins which will change the green color of the plant to purple. This happens because the process of photosynthesis is reduced due to less sunlight activity. So, to compensate for the light, the plant produces an excess amount of anthocyanins which slowly turn the plant purple.

So to prevent this situation keep the jade plant in a lighting area. But if the surroundings you live in do not have much sunlight exposure, then place the plant under artificial lighting for at least 6 to 8 hours daily for nourished growth.

2. Changes in temperature of jade plants

Temperature also plays a big role in why jade plants turn purple. Jade plants are not fond of any sudden changes in the environment. It can damage the plant if shifted suddenly. Although these plants adapt very well to their surroundings, if their place is shifted frequently, then it can increase their stress levels leading to the purple color.

Also, remember not to place the jade plants near any hot or cold appliances since it can damage the plants. Give the plant the correct attention and care to develop healthily.

The best temperature for a Jade plant to flourish is 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. You can expect that your plant won’t have any issues if you follow these guidelines. Temperatures that are a little warmer or colder won’t severely harm the jade plant. However, if the temperature fluctuations happen quickly and significantly, the plant will undoubtedly react turning purple.

3. Overwatering the jade plants

Water is a very essential requirement of plants. Without any water, the plant cannot survive and thrive like it’s supposed to. The water is the key to all the minerals supply in the plant so if it’s absent, then the plant will droop and wilt away gradually. You have to ensure that your plant receives the correct amount of water daily because sometimes overwatering or underwatering causes harm to the plants.

So now let’s talk about the jade plants, which can turn purple due to overwatering. One of the many reasons for jade plants turning purple is that frequent supply of water to the jade plants can cause root flooding, which means that the water blocks the oxygen supply to the roots system making it oxygen-deprived. Also, overwatering keeps the soil damp and creates root rots which further serve as an invitation to fungus and insects.

A solution to prevent overwatering is, you should pull the Jade plant out of the pot and remove all of the dirt. After that, you must clean the wounds and remove any decaying roots. Once done then, bury the Jade plant in fresh dirt and use a high-quality soil blend.

Also, remember that the pot must have a good drainage system to let the excess water follow out through it to avoid any overwatering.

Also, after planting, leave the Jade plant for a few weeks in a shaded area. Then, gradually expose the plant to the appropriate amount of sunlight. Use your fingertips to check on the soil’s wetness. When the soil is almost entirely dry, then only water the plant.

4. Underwatering the jade plants

Underwatering is another reason for the jade plants to turn purple. If you do give the plant the required amount of water, then it will wilt and dry out. Although the jade plants tolerate droughts, this does not mean that you should care less, or give water. Nutrients received from the soil are vital for the plants to develop health, and it is the water that transports the minerals to all parts of the plant. So without any water, the plants won’t receive the nutrients and will gradually die.

Now to avoid this situation you must not let your plant dry out. The jade plant doesn’t need frequent watering but needs it when the soil has completely dried out. This usually happens in the summer or spring season, which is said to be their growing period.

Also, you don’t need to water as frequently in the autumn and winter. Water the Jade plant once every two to three weeks throughout this time of year. But check before watering whether the soil is entirely dry or not. 

5. Lack of fertilization in the jade plants

Fertilizers are essential for any plant or bonsai. They provide the plant with nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which the regular soil lacks. These nutrients play an important role in the growth and development of the plant. The outdoor plants do not require fertilizers as they receive everything from the soil, but the home plants do not and hence, fertilizers should be used.

Jade plants also need it for nourishment. But less or no fertilization causes it to turn purple. It usually happens when the plant is not provided with minerals for a long period, which further turns the leaves into a greenish-purple color. The lack of fertilization rarely occurs, but it is better to avoid these problems to allow the plant to grow freely. The best time to perform fertilization for jade plants is from mid-summer to spring, which is their growing period.

For your Jade plant to prosper, two to three applications per year are sufficient. Because the plant needs time to rest before beginning to grow in the spring and so, avoid fertilizing in the fall or winter as it can harm the plant more.

6. The soil type in the jade plants

The soil that is needed to grow the plants is also an important factor because the soil you choose depends on your plant type. Every plant will need a different kind of potting mixture to grow healthily. The soil factor also depends on the surrounding of the plant as the environment greatly affects plant growth and nourishment.

Jade plants are said to be tender as they will need fast-draining soil that can hold the water content in them. Also, the draining causes the excess water to flush out from the soil. So avoid using the regular garden soil as it forms lumps and causes soil erosion. Use perlite, peat moss, pumice, coconut coir, etc., to improve soil drainage quality.

7. Humidity levels in jade plants

Jade plants thrive in a warm atmosphere with a humidity level of 30 to 50%. Growing jade in a high-humidity climate stresses the plant because it isn’t conducive to its natural characteristics. The stress brought on by high humidity in the jade plants turns it purple.

So ensure to keep the plant in such an environment with the limited amount of humidity it requires. Usually during winters, the level of humidity increases, and if not then you can use an artificial humidifier to create it. Jade plants grow healthily if given the proper attention and care to them.

8. Pests and diseases in jade plants

Jade is typically not very subject to pests and diseases but still has chances of being attacked by them due to lack of care. Jade is a hardy plant with thick, meaty leaves that rarely attract pests. It attracts pests like aphids, scales, mealybugs, and spider mites.

Usually, pests or fungi are formed when the soil of the jade plant is left damp. This proves to be an invitation for the insects to attack the plant. Additionally, when the jade plants are already under stress, it makes them more vulnerable to pest infestations and brings changes like damaged leaves, stunted development, etc. In response to the stress, the plant releases anthocyanin, which causes the leaves to turn purple.

Diseases and insects play a major role in turning the green leaves of the jade plant to purple. So to avoid this situation, isolate the plant immediately and apply pesticides. Not just mealybugs, but also other bugs like spider mites can attack the jade plant and cause damage to them.

Conclusion

Jade plants are really simple to grow and don’t require much care. When a jade plant is under any kind of stress, the leaves primarily turn purple. You must look after them and understand what they need. Maintain a proper watering schedule and avoid changing their location frequently. Take care of the stressed plant properly to make them grow healthy and strong naturally.

I hope this article was helpful to you and provided you with the required information. Follow the tips that I have mentioned above and your jade plant will heal from turning purple easily. I hope my article helps you to fix the issues that your jade plant has. If you have any further questions in your mind, then drop them in the comment section down below, and also don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends!

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