Jade Plant

Question: What is wrong with my plant? When I move the plant, white stuff comes off and falls onto the floor. The leaves are shriveling up and falling off.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 23, 2024, 5:30 PM EDT
response: The white residue that falls off of dried leaves (and possibly some live leaves as well) is the natural waxy coating on the foliage. We do not see indications of foliage damage from spider mites or mealybugs, the two most common indoor pests that can occur on jade, so that's good. Succulents and evergreens like jade do naturally shed their oldest leaves now and then, and they will dry out and shrivel as they die off. As long as leaf shed is not excessive, or new growth at the stem tips is not dying off quickly, then it's not concerning. While jade and most succulents can do fairly well with roots cramped in a small pot, eventually they benefit from repotting into one pot size larger, especially since jade can get very top-heavy with age.  If it's been a year or more since you last repotted the plant, you may want to move it into a larger container, though this could wait until spring if you don't have the plant under strong grow lights to give it enough light to support growth into the winter. By removing the old potting mix by teasing it out of the roots and replacing it with fresh potting mix, you help to keep the root zone well-drained, low on "salts" (the minerals that tap water and fertilizer can leave behind over time), and well-oxygenated, which roots need to stay healthy. Old potting mix gradually degrades into finer particles over time, which can take longer to dry out after watering, a trait that can stress succulents.  The plant in the photo doesn't look stressed yet, but it's best to catch things early (if the potting mix is getting old), and it does look like it's starting to get getting top-heavy and might benefit from a pot that is an inch or two wider in size. Make sure that any pot used has drain holes so excess water can leave the pot after watering; if it sits in a cache pot or saucer that collects the drained water, empty that after watering so it doesn't seep back into the root ball and keep roots too wet. Over-watering can cause plants to shed leaves as well, because dying roots cannot supply the foliage with what it needs to stay alive. Succulents growing in too little light can also shed leaves, so make sure the jade is either in a sunny window (close to the window, not too far away) or is given supplemental light from plant grow lights. Jade needs bright light indoors to thrive.  Overall, the plant looks pretty good, so probably isn't suffering from a serious problem, but if it develops worsening symptoms, feel free to send us additional photos at that point.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 23, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT
response: Thank you for responding so quickly and providing advice in caring for my plant. I am glad to know that it still looks ok to you. I will repot with fresh soil and into a larger pot. Thanks again!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 26, 2024, 8:57 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!