Indeed, jade plants grow slowly. However, it is a matter of concern if your jade plant is not growing every year.
Every year the healthy jade plant grows roughly two inches a year. If your jade is not growing yearly, then it is in trouble. But don’t worry, this article’s got you covered.
A variety of factors can stunt the growth of your jade plant. A jade plant’s growth is stunted due to poor lighting conditions, inadequate watering, and lack of nutrients.
To ensure your jade plant thrives, it is important to provide it with bright light, adequate fertilizers, and a proper watering schedule.
Furthermore, jade plants will go dormant during the winter. It is natural for jade plants to not grow during winter, so there is no need to worry.
However, there are other causes of jade plant slow growth that need your attention. So, let’s discuss all the causes and solutions of jade plant stunt growth.
Why is my Jade plant not growing?
There are a few reasons why jade plants have growth issues. So, let’s look at the potential causes so you can decide what to do.
1. Providing too little sunlight to Jade Plant
Sunlight is an important aspect of growing healthy jade. It is difficult for jade plants to grow if they don’t receive enough light.
Make sure your plant isn’t placed somewhere that doesn’t receive enough light. Additionally, jade plants will also indicate that they are not getting enough sunlight by showing negative signs.
If your jade starts dropping its leaves, this is an indication that something is wrong. Moreover, you are definitely not providing your plants enough light if they are losing their foliage.
Solution: You can solve your jade plant sunlight issues by keeping it near a west-facing or south-facing window.
Choose a sunnier and bright place for your plant. Find a place where your jade can get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Usually, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal for jade plants. So, it might be better to move it to different spots near windows at certain times.
2. Pest infestation on Jade
Jade plants can be prone to pest problems. Even though these plants are easy to care for, you will need to be on the lookout for pests.
Most jade plants are affected by mealybugs. They feed on the juices of the plant and leave behind a white cotton-like substance.
If you see something cotton-like, you are probably seeing mealybugs. You may also see damaged spots that are somewhat sticky on the plant.
Solution: Dip cotton balls in alcohol and then rub them on your jade plant to remove bugs. Additionally, if you want to keep bugs from returning, you can use neem oil.
Neem oil is a safe, natural pest repellent. Using it won’t be harmful to you, and it doesn’t cost much money.
3. Temperature fluctuations affect jade plant
Keep jade plants away from spots that fluctuate in temperature. Temperature fluctuations might harm your jade plants severely.
Additionally, it is best to keep these plants between 65°F and 75°F. Also, you should know that, due to their low cold tolerance, they could die if exposed to frost.
However, when caring for indoor jade plants, you won’t have to worry about frost. The only thing you will have to worry about is the vent. If you place a jade plant too close to an air vent, it might stunt its growth.
Sometimes, a jade plant will even lose its leaves. Thus, don’t place your plant near a vent for heating or cooling.
Solution: Find a location with a steady temperature. It is essential to find a better location for your jade plant if the temperature fluctuates too much.
Also, drafty windows or doors could be problematic. Hence, be aware of the potential causes of temperature fluctuations in your home or office.
4. High humidity stunts the growth of the Jade plant
Being a succulent plant, jade thrives in a warm and dry climate. It requires low to moderate humidity levels. Thus, keeping Jade plants in areas with high humidity stunts their growth.
Solution: Jade plants grow well in low humidity. So, it is ideal for keeping the humidity between 30% and 50%. If the humidity level exceeds that, jade plants will not grow.
In dry climates, it’s best to place the jade plant near a window for optimal lighting and humidity.
Moreover, your jade plant doesn’t like humidity, so don’t mist it. Also, it is important to avoid grouping it with other tropical plants as this will lead to an increase in humidity.
5. Lack of nutrients in the soil
Unless the soil contains the necessary nutrients, the jade plant will not be growing.
Lack of nutrients stunts jade plant growth. So, it might be necessary to amend the soil if it lacks nutrients.
Solution: Make your soil healthier by adding organic matter. Alternatively, you can fertilize your jade plant.
Sometimes repotting the plant will be beneficial. While repotting use good potting soil with perlite, coarse sand, and peat moss.
Moreover, no matter what potting soil you use, fertilizing always helps. For succulents, you can use a fertilizer that is formulated specifically for them.
6. Using poorly drained soil for jade plant
When it comes to caring for houseplants, proper drainage is crucial. So, make sure you use soil that drains well to keep your jade plants healthy.
Having poorly draining soil will cause many problems for your jade plant. Problems such as root rot will stop a jade plant from growing. As a result, the plant may die.
Solution: Use a pot that facilitates drainage. Moreover, good drainage holes are essential.
7. Improper watering keeps the jade plant from growing
Watering the jade plant incorrectly prevents it from growing. Also, neither too much nor too little water is good for the plant.
For jade plants, drainage is crucial. Also, plants cannot drain properly if they are overwatered. Eventually, this will result in root rot, which will kill the plant.
Solution: Only water a jade plant when the soil is no longer damp. Also, underwatering can cause problems. Your jade plant will not grow if you neglect its watering needs. Hence, make sure the jade plant receives enough water every so often.
8. Planting a jade plant in a small pot
A small pot can be a big problem for a jade plant. As jade plants grow, they will reach a certain point. In the absence of space to spread its roots, the jade plant will stop growing.
At this point, your jade becomes root-bound. In this case, the roots are trapped in a ball as a result of being placed in a too-small pot.
Solution: Make sure the plant is in the right size pot. Also, while planting it in another pot, gently untangle the root ball.
To keep the plant healthy in its pot, check on it every now and then. Sometimes the plant will outgrow its pot, so you will need to re-pot it.
When you repot the plant, it will grow again as long as it is taken care of correctly. Also, it is a good idea to trim damaged roots while repotting. After repotting is done, water it to settle the potting mix.
9. A jade plant won’t grow in the winter
In winter, jade plants go dormant. It means that your jade plant will not be growing during the winter.
Moreover, in winter, you shouldn’t fertilize jade plants. In fact, it would be detrimental to the plant.
As soon as spring arrives, the jade plant will begin to grow again. During the spring and summer, these plants are active growers.
Solution: You don’t need to worry about this as it is a natural process. Winter is the time when your jade plant is not growing naturally.
10. Jade plant growth is delayed when stressed
The jade plant can also suffer from stress, slowing its growth. Here are some reasons why your jade plant might be stressed
- Nutrient deficiency in the soil
- Underwatering
- Overwatering
- Lack of sunlight or excessive sunlight
- Overfertilization
Solution: Anything in excess is harmful to the jade plant. However, the right amount or a little flexibility with the schedule will keep your plant healthy and stress-free.
How do make jade plants grow faster?
Jade is a slow grower. As a result, regular care is necessary for its growth. So, to facilitate faster growth of the jade plant, you can follow the following points.
- Low humidity is ideal for jade plants. Provide your jade plant with a perfect humidity level between 30% and 50%.
- Ensure that your plant receives 4 hours of bright light every day. Consider artificial light if necessary. Additionally, combining natural and artificial light may be more effective.
- Make sure your plant does not get underwatered. Hence, pay attention to the plant’s water needs. Water your jade plant only after the soil dries out completely.
- Provide the plant with the nutrients it needs. Every two months, fertilize the plant.
- Re-potting the plant is necessary, but only at the right time. Moreover, avoid re-potting the plant repeatedly; it may give shock every time.
- It is best to grow jade plants in a room with a constant temperature.
- If fungi or pests attack the plants, treat them properly.
- Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole.
Few common questions about a jade plant not growing
Q.1 Why is my jade plant not growing?
Ans. If a jade plant lacks nutrients, it will grow slowly. Consider amending the soil if you suspect it doesn’t contain enough nutrients. Also, to improve the soil, add organic matter. Alternatively, fertilizer can be used to feed the jade plant.
Q.2 Why is my jade plant growing slowly?
Ans. Jade plants grow in full sun to partial shade. Keep indoor jade plants warm since cold can slow their growth. Ideally, the plant should receive at least four hours of bright, filtered sunlight each day, preferably from a south-facing window.
Q.3 Which fertilizer is good for the jade plant?
Ans. You can choose fertilizer spikes, pellets, ready-to-use pumps, or water-soluble fertilizers for the jade plant. Additionally, whenever you water, apply water-soluble fertilizers at half strength.
Q.4 How fast do jade plants grow?
Ans. Although jade plants grow slowly, they can reach a height of six feet and a width of three feet a year. When cared for consistently, jade plants are easy to grow indoors and can live for 100 years.
Conclusion
As you can see there are several reasons why your jade plant is not growing. However, if you understand the cause, you will be able to determine why your jade plant is not growing.
Moreover, jade plant growth is stunted by many mistakes we make. Such as improper watering, providing inadequate sunlight, poor drainage, and a few others.
Additionally, your jade plant won’t grow in winter. So, don’t worry if your jade plant is not growing in winter, as it has entered dormancy.
Furthermore, you can eliminate half of the jade problems by placing your jade plant in a bright place, providing it with plenty of light and water, as well as good potting soil. You will have a healthy, happy jade plant if you take care of its basic needs.
If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends who love jade. Also, feel free to comment below with your thoughts on the jade plant growing.
Related Articles
- Jade Plant Not Growing – Causes and Solutions
- Jade Plant Outdoor: How to Grow and Care
- Dying Jade Plant: Reasons and How to Revive
- Dwarf Jade Plant: How to Grow and Care
- Leggy Jade Plant: Why and How to Fix it
- Gollum Jade Plant: Everything You Need to know
