Jade Care Guide

Jade(Crassula Ovata) is a fantastic plant, not only because it has a very good habit, is very hardy and easy to propagate, but also because it has an excellent reputation. It is said that this plant brings good luck and attracts prosperity and abundance. I don't know if this is true, but I am sure that having a jade at home will make you much happier.

If you're up for adding a jade to your family you should pay attention to this jade care guide, I assure you it will become beautiful.

Green and shiny: some facts about jade

• Jade is a succulent as you may have noticed from its fleshy, shiny leaves. It stores water, so it's perfect for forgetful and absent-minded owners who skip watering.
  
• There are many varieties of jade. One is called "Shrek's Ears" and has tubular leaves with red tips. The tricolour jade has white sections, while the so-called sunset jade has red and yellow tips.
• According to Feng Shui, jade is a plant with very good energy, because of its rounded leaves, deep roots and accelerated growth. For this reason it is recommended to place it in the badua of finances and money.
• Jade is a very long-lived plant, it can last almost half a century, which is why it is common in some cultures to give it as a gift to those who have a new flat or to newlyweds. It symbolises the wish for a long relationship, in which there is much financial prosperity and personal growth.
  
• Over time the stems of the Jade tend to thicken, becoming woody and brown in colour. This makes them look like miniature trees and they are great for those learning to make bonsai, because they grow fast, are very hardy and can be trained into beautiful shapes.

How to care for Jade

Lighting

If you have a section where there is direct sun, this is the ideal space for the Jade. It loves direct sunlight, in fact its leaves tan: they turn reddish at the tips because of the sun's rays. The good news is that although it needs plenty of light, it is a warrior that can live in artificial light or in low light.

Watering

Jade, like all succulents, prefers spaced watering. In the case of this plant, less is more. It is preferable that you forget to water it rather than overdo it with water as it is susceptible to root rot. Remember to wait until the substrate is very dry before watering, this can happen every 2 or 3 weeks, check before watering. In winter you should reduce the frequency of watering to once a month. Avoid getting water on the fleshy leaves, as they will stain and deteriorate. It is better to water from the sides of the pot to avoid accidents.

Temperature and humidity

These plants are very well adapted to warm to medium climates, so they live very well in well ventilated places. They do not tolerate frost. If it gets below 10°C where you live, you should protect it indoors or in a warmer place.

Potting medium and pots

Universal potting soil is fine, but ideally use a cactus and succulent potting soil with a slightly acidic pH. There are home-made tricks to increase the acidity of the substrate. As for the fertiliser, you can use a balanced fertiliser in light proportions, very diluted to avoid overfeeding the plant. Remember to put pebbles at the bottom to make drainage more efficient.

It is advisable to use a heavy pot, because although it is true that the root system is not usually too deep, over the years it tends to get bushy and the weight on top increases. If the pot is too light, it will only need to be breathed on closely for it to tip over, making a mess of the substrate on your immaculate soil. Take the opportunity to use a nice decorative pot to add weight.

Transplanting and propagation

Jade, under ideal conditions, is a plant that grows at a very fast pace, so it is normal for it to outgrow its pot after a few months. In this case you can transplant it to a new pot, but you can also leave it like this to control its size, it won't hurt it. The idea is to transplant in early spring, when it is just starting to grow.

Propagating jade is one of the easiest things in the world. You can use the stems or the leaves, leaving them on a little damp substrate. I usually put the fallen leaves to one side of the plant, so it's not a lot of work and they almost always come up.

Another simple and quick way to make them develop roots is to place them in water, taking care to submerge only the tip of the leaf or the lower end of the stem. In a short time you will have your little jade, which you can transplant into its pot and look after. You can have your own Jade army or give them as a gift to your friends and family. It is like giving them an amulet of good luck, prosperity and joy.