Overwatered Jade Plant – Signs and Step-by-Step Solution
This article is all about the Overwatered Jade Plant, its Signs, and Step-by-Step solutions. The jade plants that everyone loves to keep at home for good fortune and good luck when they get overwatered are disheartening. The small size of the crassula ovata makes them attractive but also proves to be harmful to them as they get easily overwatered by the houseplants.
Quick takeaways:
- The plants are known for their aesthetic appearance and the minimal size they have perfect for keeping on the shelf, tables, etc.
- The oval-shaped leaves, all glossy, make them elegant houseplants.
- These plants though need less water and are easy to grow like Senecio wax ivy plants. But the overwatered jade plants show a dull appearance with wilted leaves.
- The jade plants are overwatered and you are worried, the same was my case. But I will reveal all the solutions that can revive your overwatered jade plant like a string of hearts.
Let’s look at the signs of overwatered jade plants like the cactus so that they can be saved before it’s too late.
- The leading solution is working on the drainage of the soil. If the drainage of the soil is poor then the roots will be affected, and later the plant will die. So it is important if the soil is not waterlogged.
- Other than this, the jade plant will have damaged leaves and rooted roots that need to be cut off, otherwise, the infection that they invite will spread to the other parts as well.
- Soil should be checked daily, if the soil is staying wet for long or not too dry. When the soil is damaged severely then repot the plant or you can propagate the plant using the leaves of the plant that is still left healthy.
Is your jade plant overwatered or underwatered?
Oh my gosh! It’s my own experience that I got so confused about understanding whether my jade plant is overwatered or underwatered.
Both the cases in jade plants show almost similar signs and you must know the important differences to create a line between the two cases.
So talking of the difference between the jade plants that show soft leaves, yellow and dry, the soil looks soggy when the jade plants are overwatered. If the symptoms are the same, and the soil looks dry and cracked, then the jade plants are underwatered.
Signs of overwatered jade plants
1. Drooping leaves
The leaves of jade plants will surely droop due to the spoilage of the root system. The roots swell and get affected by the excess water in the soil.
The functioning of the roots will also get affected and the roots will fail to soak in the mixture and nutrients. The turgor pressure in the leaves and the plant shoot will decrease, which causes the drooping of leaves and even the plant.
2. Yellowing of leaves
The yellowing of leaves is one of the confusing symptoms in jade plants so you must take a glance at the soil and the roots too.
The roots of overwatered jade plants are swollen and look soft, with the smell. The top leaves are seen to become yellow first.
3. Softening of leaves
The leaves of jade plants are known for their glossiness and hard appearance. The plants show mushy and soft leaves which means the plants are overwatered.
The soil needs to be checked here as well if the soil is waterlogged as well. The swelling of leaves can also occur and in some cases, you can also see the leaves curling due to less water in the plant, and affected roots.
4. Brown spots on the leaves
The leaves of jade plants if overwatered very prominently show brown spots on the leaves and the plant will show symptoms like edema.
The water saturated in the soil will make the roots unable to absorb the nutrients and water, leading to brown spots on the leaves.
5. Leaves getting limp
The overwatered jade plant shows a limp appearance and soft leaves. The fade in the color of leaves starts to occur. The turgor pressure needs to be there in the plant which does not occur in the overwatered jade plants.
The lucky plants are due to waterlogged soil due to which diluted form of nutrients occurs like magnesium, potassium, etc. that are essential for the plants.
6. Root rot
Soil being drained in water can cause root rot in the jade plant roots. The roots will become soft, and swell due to poor drainage.
The water gets the least pathways to pass through the soil. The soil soon starts to become clayey and compact with mold growth coinciding. Root rot will occur and the plant will fail to grow well.
7. Soggy soil
The soil is looking waterlogged and too wet, then the jade plant is overwatered. The soil will look mushy too. The soil must be airy so that roots can breathe as well.
Solutions for overwatered jade plants
1. Discard the soggy soil
The soggy soil needs to be dug out around the stem and the roots. The mushy-looking soil that is giving out some moldy smell also needs to be removed.
2. Check for root rot
Take the jade plant out of the pot. Remove the extra dirt and soil from the roots using a brush or water. You can also use the hydrogen peroxide solution and place the roots in it to wash the roots and clear the mold around them.
The roots that are rotted need to be cut down using the pruners. Dry the roots in sunlight for a while and then repot the jade plant, using clean soil. Make sure to water the plant lightly and only as the soil gets dry.
3. Repot the plant
Use a clean pot and one that has a good number of drainage holes. Though these plants are usually small in size, the pot should not be that big or not too small.
The pot’s diameter should be near the inches of diameter of the plant if the plant has a diameter of 5 inches choose a pot with a diameter of 6 inches. The large pots can easily get overwatered and jade plants will not stay healthy in such cases.
Summing up the context
The jade plants after getting repotted need good care as they were under stress before and the plants have lost much of their energy already. The jade plants need to be fertilized well after 5-6 months. The plant needs fertilized soil but that is lightly fertilized. So keep it to one time in 6 months. The plants need soil that is well-drained and not soggy. Keep the plant away from root rot issues that can be improved by improving the drainage of the soil. We hope you like this article and find it useful. We are happy to help and happy to plant you guys!
FAQs
1. Can a jade plant recover from being overwatered?
The jade plants are overwatered whether the soil is too wet, the humidity is high, or the drainage. You must dry the soil before watering again. The more water surrounding the roots for a long time, the harder will be for the survival of healthy roots of jade plants.