Troubleshooting Guide for Jade Plant Leaves Falling Off
Jade Plants shed leaves when distressed or feel their survival is threatened. The challenge is determining what is causing your Jade Plant to be stressed. Use our guide to help troubleshoot why.
If plants could talk, leaves falling off would be the equivalent of your Jade Plant’s waving its arms about saying, “Look at me, look at me!”
Your Jade needs help. And quickly.
Before you panic, take a deep breath and center yourself. The Garden Bench Top Clinic is here to help with a troubleshooting guide to get your Jade back to its happy former self.
Why Do Jade Plant Leaves Fall Off?
Plants drop their leaves as a survival mechanism to preserve their energy.
By sacrificing their energy-hungry leaves, they can divert the nutrients to the areas that will help to ensure the main plant survives.
Your job is to take heed of your Jade’s behavior and jump into action. We need to find out why your Jade feels threatened and take steps to rectify the problem.
Causes of Falling Jade Plant Leaves
Let’s now consider possible reasons for your Jade Plant leaves falling off.
Water Stress
Judging from the questions and grievances we receive from the Garden Bench Top community, achieving a healthy watering schedule appears to be one of the main challenges plant parents face in their journey.
And it isn’t hard to see why. Think about the number of plants we keep in our homes – each with its own specific water requirements. Too little or too much water can cause any plant to experience water stress – including Jade Plants.
Water stress is a common cause of leaves falling off your Jade. But is it too much water or too little?
To find out, you need to look at the condition of your soil.
If you overwater your Jade, the topsoil will be wet and soggy. You may see signs of root rot developing, such as brown mushy stems and roots. If you see this check out this article about treating root rot.
Another sign your Jade is overwatered is the fallen leaves are yellow and soft.
On the other hand, if you suspect you are underwatering your Jade, try pushing your index finger into the top layer of soil. Underwatered soil will be hard and won’t crumble or give way. In addition, the fallen leaves will be brown and crispy.
How to Fix Water-Stressed Jade Plants
The good news is fixing a water-stressed plant is straightforward.
You have two options:
- Use the finger soil moisture test to check your Jade’s soil BEFORE you water them. It is an effective method for preventing your Jade from becoming overwatered or underwater.
- Purchase a soil moisture meter from your nursery or online. They are budget-friendly options for those that don’t like to get their hands dirty.