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Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping – 3 Common Reasons!

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Jade plants are one of the most popular houseplants, especially among young adults, because they are easy to care for. However, a caveat is that they can also easily go limp.

So, a question that comes up regularly is, “Why is my Jade plant drooping?” We will help you address this inquiry in our article here today! 

3 Reasons Why Your Jade Plant Is Drooping 

There are 3 potential culprits behind your jade plant drooping. 

  • You are not watering it properly
  • Your soil is overfertilized or does not drain well
  • Your plant’s sunlight intake is improper

Now that you know why your jade plant is limping, let’s learn how to save it and look into other useful details. 

Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping
Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping? via Reddit

Culprit 1: Improper Watering 

Improper watering means you are either overwatering or underwatering the plant. In the former scenario, the root will rot, and the stems will become infected; thus; fall off.

In the latter scenario, the stems will weaken and also fall off. Therefore, in any way, improper watering will droop your plant and eventually kill it. 

It is a bit difficult to identify problems with overwatering because it looks a lot like underwatering. The mushy roots cannot send water and nutrients to the leaves, so they fall limp.

If you want to know for sure whether you are over or underwatering your plant, remove it from the pot and check the roots. 

Healthy roots should be odorless and white. If they are stale and brown, like wet bread, you know that you have overwatered your Jade plant. Here is a visual to help you make the comparison:

When the roots are overwatered, they become the ideal setting for bacteria and pathogens of decay. To recover them, try these steps:

  1. Chip off the affected roots and stems 
  2. Shake off any old, damp soil 
  3. Repot your plant in fresh, dry soil 

Make sure you do not reuse the old soil (We cannot stress this enough!)

  1. Place the plant under good light 
  2. Let it rest for at least a week without watering it

Your plant’s soil should be dry completely at least halfway down the pot. Before you rewater, give it a test by inserting your finger or a moisture meter. You can also lift the pot to check if it is still heavy with moisture. 

Note:

In the warm season, water it once every three to four weeks. Conversely, in the winter, only water if the soil is extremely dry. Jade roots are not suited for moist soil and too-wet conditions. But when it gets very dry, it can resist water. Hence, when you water your plant, make sure you soak it thoroughly. 

Culprit 2: Improper Soil 

Another possible reason for your drooping Jade plant is the soil. Poor draining soil is a no-no. It retains extra moisture in the roots and soils. At the same time, it invites bacteria, pathogens, and fungal disease, leading to the roots rotting and the leaves drooping.   

To avoid this, you need to make sure you get the soil mix right. We recommend cactus potting soil and pumice or perlite in a 1:1 ratio. Also, be extra cautious of peat. Peat can repel water when the soil is dry. So, it may take more soaking to moisten it.

Another recipe that you can opt for is 1/2 cup of coco chips, 1/2 cup of coco peat, 1/2 cup of pumice, 1/2 cup of vermiculite, and 1/2 cup of agricultural lime. This is a bit complicated, but it packs everything your Jade plant will need. 

Jade plants grow best in aerated and grainy soils. You should steer clear from garden soil; it is too clumpy and heavy for Jade plants. The best soil mix should have a good balance between the soil’s water-holding capacity and drainage. 

Moreover, ensure that your pot or container has a fitting drainage hole. It should be able to drain away excess water to keep the plant disease-free and healthy. The hole needs to drain water while you are watering within 2 minutes. Here is an example of such a pot:

Yishang 3 inch Terra Cotta Pots with Drain Hole
“Yishang 3 inch Terra Cotta Pots with Drain Hole” via Amazon.com

As for pH levels, Jade plants can prosper between 5.5 and 7.0. But the best pH level that satisfies your Jade plant is 6.0. Do not go for very high or low pH level soil; the leaves can burn and die. 

Finally, check in on the amount of fertilization in your soil. Overfertilization can do more harm than good. It can lead to salt build-up and cause the leaves to brown and curl. Rotten roots and fungal growth can also occur and cause the leaves to become droopy. 

Rather than giving your plant lots and lots of fertilizer, focus on giving it “quality” fertilizer. A few doses in the summer and spring are sufficient. Do not fertilize the soil in the fall or winter, and go for light applications in the main growing seasons. 

Culprit 3: Improper Sunlight 

Like other plants, your Jade plant’s stems can stretch over time and fall over if the plant itself does not receive enough sunlight. The heavy leaves will top over the thinner and weaker leaves, and you will get limped, or droopy Jade leaves. 

Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping 2
Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping? via Reddit

So, it is necessary to give your plant plenty of light. However, take note that it is not recommended to put it directly under the hot rays; the plant will shrivel up, and the results will be even harder to handle. Usually, it is best to put the plant under direct sunlight for four hours a day. 

>> Related Post: How To Grow A Jade Plant From A Broken Stem (Quick Tips)


Conclusion 

As you have read, there are three possible answers to the question, “Why is my Jade plant drooping?” Now that you know what they are, you can identify your culprit and seek the appropriate remedies.

Comment the culprit to your limping Jade plants below and how you saved your plant! Share your experience with us and fellow readers! Also, feel free to bookmark this article for future reference!