For those who enjoy nurturing houseplants, a jade plant (Crassula ovata) is likely part of your collection. These plants are renowned for their low-maintenance requirements, needing minimal care aside from the occasional watering. Interestingly, having a jade plant in your home office is said to bring luck and wealth. While they can thrive being root-bound, it’s advisable to repot them every two to three years. Knowing how to repot your jade plant effectively will ensure its continued success, and fortunately, it’s a simple process.
When repotting, opt for a pot of similar size or just slightly larger. Using the same size pot will keep your succulent the same size; without extra space for root growth, the jade plant won’t expand. This is why these plants are popular among bonsai enthusiasts.
The ideal time to repot your succulent is in spring, as it emerges from dormancy and begins to grow. The key to successful repotting is using a well-draining mixture that dries out between waterings. A succulent or cactus mix is recommended, or you can create your own by incorporating perlite, vermiculite, pea gravel, or sand into potting soil. Ensure the pot has ample drainage holes.
Tips for Success When Repotting a Jade Plant
If you’re repotting into a similar-sized pot, carefully remove the jade plant from its current pot and gently shake off any soil from the roots. Trim the roots to fit comfortably in the new pot. It’s also beneficial to lightly trim the top growth to maintain a compact shape and promote a thicker trunk. Pruning shoots down to the trunk is an effective way to keep jade plants vigorous and healthy.
Place some potting mix at the bottom of the new pot and position your plant on top, ensuring the trunk base is level with the pot’s rim. Fill in around the roots with more mix and press down gently. Water thoroughly to settle the soil but ensure excess water drains away. Afterward, water sparingly until the plant reestablishes itself.
When transitioning to a larger container, you can follow a similar process, but there’s no need to trim the roots unless necessary to remove unhealthy ones. Choose a pot just one size larger to allow root growth without overwhelming the plant. Additionally, jade plants make wonderful gifts, so consider propagating new plants from the pruned stems.
