The Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a popular potted plant for use indoors as a houseplant or outdoors as a potted specimen.
They are good growers, but these jewels, with their thick woody stems, can outgrow their pots and need repotting over time.
In this article, we share tips on repotting your Jade plant.
When repotting a Jade plant, wait until the soil becomes relatively dry. Measure a fresh soil mixture into a clean, new container that is one size larger than the one the plant has been living in.
Gently remove your Jade plant from its old container by running a table knife, spade, or similar flat tool around the inside of the container to loosen any bits of root that may be clinging to the pot.
Repotting A Large Jade Plant
Before repotting your Jade plant, it’s important to examine it first, especially under stems and leaves physically, for any signs of pest infestation.
Examples of insects include mealybugs, scales, and thrips. Also, make sure your plant doesn’t have any disease symptoms to prevent the spread of diseases.
If you are repotting a large mature succulent plant, wrap the top of it loosely with a cloth to protect the leaves.
Lean the plant over onto its side and pull the pot away. If the plant is very root bound, you may need to cut or break the pot to get it out.
If the plant is small, you may be able to slip your fingers around the base of its trunk or trunks and turn the whole thing upside down to empty the pot into your hand.
If the plant is quite large and has several branches, you may want to divide it when you repot it.
To do this, try teasing the root ball apart with your fingers. If this is too difficult, slice it in half with a very sharp, sterile cutting tool.
Once you have the plant out of its pot and have divided it, if you wish, massage the roots slightly to remove old soil and open them up. This act will help the roots to take hold of their new planting medium.
As you do this, examine the plant’s roots and remove any that are damaged, diseased, or dead. Use a clean, sharp cutting implement to do this.
Prepare your new pots with a layer of damp planting medium an inch or two deep on the bottom.
Place the plant on this layer of potting soil and fill it around it with fresh soil or a new potting mix.
Place the plant deeply in the container, but don’t let the leaves touch the soil surface.
Use damp potting soil to fill the pots. Firm it into place and don’t water it for a week or two so the roots have a chance to reach out, take hold, and establish themselves in the new soil.
Pro Tip: How Often Do You Water A Jade Plant?
Jade Plant Repotting Q & A
1. When Should You Repot Jade Plants?
If your plant becomes overcrowded, top-heavy, or stops growing, this is a sign that it needs a new container. Repot them every couple of years.
Once the plant matures, you may not need to repot it more frequently than once every 4 or 5 years. Generally speaking, young Jade plants grow faster than mature ones.
2. What Kind Of Soil Mix Is Best For Repotting Jade Plants?
You can use a good quality all-purpose potting mix, but adding perlite for improved drainage is helpful.
Generally speaking, two parts of potting soil and one part perlite are a good combination. You may also wish to use a prepackaged cactus potting mix or create your own well-draining soil mix.
Adding extra perlite, pumice, or coarse sand is also good for your Jade plants.
You can also apply fertilizer made for cacti and succulents or a diluted mix of a standard liquid houseplant fertilizer for added nutrients.
3. What Kind Of Pot Is Best To Use For A Jade Plant?
You can use either ceramic pots or plastic pots for your Jade plant. However, the most ideal are clay pots or terracotta pots because they are less likely to tip and are heavy.
The most important thing is that it’s sturdy and heavy to prevent toppling.
Also, ensure you’re moving your plant to a larger pot to avoid an excessively crowded root system.
It’s crucial that Jade plants not have soggy roots, as it can lead to root rot.
If your pot has plenty of drainage holes and you have used a good, sharply draining potting mix, your plant will be happy in a terra-cotta, ceramic, or plastic pot.
Pro Tip: Growing Jade Plants Outdoors
4. How Often Does My Jade Plant Need Repotting?
When your plants are young, you can repot them every couple of years to encourage them to grow. When your plant has matured, repot it every 4 to 5 years or as needed.
5. When Should I Repot My Jade Plant?
Generally speaking, springtime, at the start of the main growing season, is the best time for repotting your Jade plant.
If you live in a hot climate, you can repot any time during spring, summer, or early autumn.
Don’t repot in the wintertime because this is the time when the plant is resting.