Overwatered Jade Plant – Symptoms and How to Fix

Overwatered Jade Plant

90% of Jade owners kill their Jade plant due to overwatering. Did you know that Jade does not love the water?

The lovely succulent Crassula Ovata, also known as the jade plant, money plant, and lucky plant.

It is also considered as Good Luck Plant. Therefore it’s often gifted as a housewarming gift for good fortune. Jade plants are prone to overwatering, just like the vast majority of succulent plants. 

You can ensure that your jade plant survives and won’t rot in too much water by being aware of the symptoms and knowing how to deal with them. 

Before we examine each symptom in greater depth, let me get you the quick overview here.

The following is a list of some of the typical signs of overwatered jade plants:

  1. Leaves that are turning yellow
  2. Leaves dropping
  3. Soft leaves
  4. Dry leaves
  5. The roots of the jade plant may also experience root rot and wet soil 

Are you able to relate to the problems of overwatering? Check this image below.

Overwatered Jade Plants

Jade plants are no exception to the general reputation for these plants’ fussy water requirements. There are a number of established rules on how to water jade plants, when to water them, where to water them, and what kinds of plant material instruments, like fertilizers, to use when you do. 

This is mostly due to their remarkable capacity for water absorption and retention. These qualities are concentrated in the leaves of jade plants, which have a significant and long-lasting water absorption and retention capacity.

Let’s get into the details of how to identify the overwatered Jade plant.

Why are my Jade Leaves Getting Yellow?

It’s normal for leaves to become yellow. They frequently get yellow as they age and approach replacement. The sole distinction is that jade plants with excessive watering get increasingly more yellow leaves. If it does, it is a certain indication that your plant is receiving more water than it can handle. As a result, you should look for any additional symptoms to avoid assigning the incorrect cause for this.

What Causes the Leaves to go Yellow? 

Well, root rot is the main cause of it. A plant’s ability to transmit nutrients to different regions of its body is compromised by unhealthy roots and stems. The plant thus struggles to grow and its leaves begin to change colour. 

However, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that occasionally, inadequate hydration, pest infestations, and unfavourable temperatures can also cause leaf yellowing.

Why are the Jade Leaves Dropping?

The jade plant will occasionally lose some of its leaves. However, if your plants are overwatered, you can notice a lot of leaves falling off every week. This is a certain sign that your plants are in serious distress, and over-watering is most likely the cause.

Softening Leaves of Jade Plant

As long as they are in good health, jade plants have strong leaves. The softening of leaves is always a sign that there is a problem, and one of the problems that cause the softness of leaves is over-watering.

Unsurprisingly, succulent plants that receive too much water develop root rot and lose their essential nutrients, resulting in softened leaves. 

Dehydration, however, can also contribute to the softness of leaves, just like it can to the yellowing of leaves.

What to do to stop softening of leaves?

Examine the soil to confirm that overwatering was the root of the issue. You are undoubtedly dealing with this issue if the soil is too damp and the roots are soft, then you must take immediate action and save your plant.

Why the Leaves of Jade Plant Drying?

Lack of nutrition causes leaves to dry out when roots aren’t working properly. However, the leaves can also become dry from a lack of water.

Having said that, it is simple to distinguish between the two.

The soil moisture can be easily checked, either manually or with the use of a moisture meter, just like with the prior symptom.

If the soil is moist, excessive watering is probably to blame for the leaves drying out. The plant becomes dehydrated if the soil is too dry.

Root Rot and Wet Soil – Worst Enemy of Jade Plant

Root rot is one of the most typical warning signs and symptoms of an overwatered jade plant.

When succulents are overwatered, they all have a risk of developing root rot. Your plant’s roots will actually die if you have root rot. This will prevent your jade plant from absorbing all the nutrients it requires to flourish. 

Overwatering is the main cause of root rot.

Check the moisture level of your soil. You have most likely overwatered your jade plant if it is heavy and damp.

The next step is to remove your plant from its pot so you may inspect the roots.

Sadly, if the roots are slimy, damp, and covered in a dark brown or black muck, you have root rot.

How To Revive An Overwatered Jade Plant?

You might be concerned that there is nothing you can do to save your jade plant if it begins to exhibit symptoms of being “ill.” 

Fortunately, if you act soon, a Jade plant that has been overwatered can be resurrected and recovered. It is advisable to take action as soon as you notice overwatering symptoms in your jade plant in order to save it.

1. Remove the Waterlogged Soil 

The improvement of root conditions is the most crucial thing to perform with a waterlogged jade plant. It is best to take the plant out of the pot and carefully scrape away as much of the soggy soil from around the roots. The health of the roots must then be determined. There may be a necessity for drastic action. 

2. Take Out the Worst Rotting Roots First

The Jade plant’s stem and the rest of its root system may become infected by root rot.

You should use sterile pruning shears to cut down the rotten roots of your jade plant.

What portion should you trim off?

If the root is expected to survive, it should be completely white within when you cut it.

If the core of the root has any brown hue, keep trimming it back until it is entirely white.

After completing this, if the Jade plant still has only healthy roots, you can make another cut into each one to promote the creation of new roots and, hopefully, aid in the recovery of the plant. 

After removing the root rot regions, make sure to clean and sanitise your pruners.

You can do this by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol or briefly holding the blades over a flame.

3. Jade Plant Repotting

Now that your jade plant has been repotted, it may go into a better habitat.

For your plant, pick a container that is the right size. It is ideal to use a pot that is just big enough to fit the plant’s root system. A smaller pot will enable the earth to dry out more quickly.

When repotting your jade plant, it is crucial to use brand-new, dry potting soil. In order to lessen the possibility of future overwatering, the soil must have rapid drainage. 

For the greatest results, choose to mix your own soil.

Potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite should be combined in equal amounts.

For convenience, you can also use cactus soil or succulent potting soil. Keep the plant dry for a few days. Only do this if the plant appears to be waking up a bit and if the roots and soil feel entirely dried up.

Make sure not to overwater the plant when you begin to water it again. When the earth is entirely dry, only water the jade plant. Depending on the circumstances in your home, this might only happen sometimes.

Building A Pleasant Jade Plant Environment: Some Advice

Focus on providing your Jade plant with a happy and healthy environment first. A good potting, watering, and maintenance schedule should be part of this. 

1. Starting with the Right Pot for your Jade Plant

Your Jade plant will only need maintenance if you get off to a good start with it; recovery and reviving it won’t require as much effort.

Everything begins with how you pot the plant in the beginning. The amount of water your jade plant receives can vary depending on the soil and container you select.

Your jade plant will be forced overwatered if the pot doesn’t drain well or the soil has a tendency to become waterlogged.

Make sure that the container you use to pot your jade plant has plenty of drainage holes and that the soil won’t clog them while you water the plant.

By including some perlite in the soil mixture, you can improve drainage.

2. Remove Extra Water from the Drip Tray

You could discover that every time you water your jade plant, water drips out of the pot and collects in the drip tray. This is fantastic news because it indicates that your soil is draining properly and that the pot’s openings aren’t blocked. 

However, it is crucial to quickly drain any extra water from the saucer to prevent the Jade plant from spending too much time there. Naturally, this can lead to root rot! Wait around 30 minutes after watering your succulent before emptying the saucer.

3. Correct Overwatering Errors Quickly

The occasional overwatering of your Jade plant won’t harm it much, but persistent overwatering will lead to issues. If you sense an issue, pause to evaluate the circumstance.

To avoid your plant suffering, take into account the things we covered in this post and make some adjustments.

4. Poorly Replace Quick Soil Drainage

It is simple to ignore the issue of subpar soil. The root system of your Jade plant will be compromised if your potting mix isn’t draining properly. If the soil doesn’t seem to be draining, you should either report your jade plant or increase the drainage.

Conclusion 

Like any other variety of succulents, your jade plant is likely to become overwatered. Therefore, taking the best possible plant care is advised to maintain your favourite indoor plant healthy for many years to come. 

I’ve provided you with a wealth of knowledge that covers all you need to know about succulent jade plants and how to care for them in order to ensure this. By this point, you ought to be familiar with the warning signs of overwatering, how to handle them, and even how to revive your jade plant if all else fails. Additionally, you should understand how to properly care for and water your jade plant to prevent overwatering.

Q1. What Kind of Water Is Needed for Jade Plants?

Rainwater is ideal for plants, just like all other plants. So, any liquid that resembles rainwater should work. Similar to distilled water, However, keep your plant away from tap water because it contains a lot of minerals that could harm it. or any salted water.

Q2. How often to water a jade plant?

Your jade plant will require a whole different watering regimen if it is kept outdoors as opposed to indoors. Again, if you live in a chilly place, your watering routine will differ from someone who lives in an area that gets very hot, and the time of year will also have an impact on how much water you need to give a jade plant.

Succulents require more watering in the summer than in the winter, of course, just like any other plant. A jade plant only needs watering when the earth is fully dry, therefore abide by this rule. The frequency of this can range from once per week to once per month. It all depends on the surroundings.

Q3. How soon after repotting should I water my jade plant?

It’s preferable to wait at most a week after repotting your jade plant. especially if you’re trying to revive a jade plant that you overwatered. Any weak roots should have enough time to recover as a result. Wait until the soil is sufficiently dry at the top level or 2-3 inches below the top level.

Q4. Do you water plants from the top or bottom?

The succulent leaves on your jade plant run the risk of becoming rotten if you water it from the top. As the water that doesn’t evaporate adheres to the foliage. The result is scarring on the leaves. Therefore, watering your plant from the bottom is the ideal method. Because water is absorbed by the plant more quickly when it is applied directly to the soil because it reaches the roots, Additionally, it prevents the root from rising above the earth.

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