A succulent plant with magnificent evergreen foliage, the Jade tree is distinguished by its round, thick leaves that resemble small coins. According to Chinese tradition, and in particular the Feng Shui discipline, it brings luck, fortune and prosperity to its owners. Very decorative indoors, it is easy to grow. You still need to take good care of it to maintain its beauty and preserve its bushy appearance.
Originally from South Africa, the Jade tree is very popular around the world, it is even one of the most popular houseplants. Bonsai in appearance, with its very branched brown trunk, this plant brings a real lush character to a balcony. Depolluting and extremely resistant, this tree is not demanding and requires very little maintenance. However, if you want it to grow quickly, you need to take care of it properly. Let’s find out together how to properly maintain it to keep it healthy.
1. Transplantation
The jade tree develops according to a very simple mechanism: the more space it has, the more it spreads and grows.
This plant is sold in a very small size in a pot. If you want to see it grow, repot it in a larger pot, which will allow it to grow better and help its roots develop comfortably. Repotting is therefore essential when the Jade tree is cramped. Consider mixing your potting soil with sand. And keep it in a sunny spot.
The best time to repot is certainly early spring, when the plant prepares to grow with rising temperatures.
When repotting, always be careful not to damage the roots of the plant, otherwise they may take much longer to regrow.
2. Fertilization
Nothing like a well-selected fertilizer to help your Jade tree grow in the best conditions!
But what is the most suitable fertilizer for this plant? As it is a fatty and succulent plant, fertilizers specific to this species should be favored, therefore well balanced in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
If the fertilizer is liquid, never apply it to completely dry soil. In general, always follow the instructions on the product packaging regarding quantities.
You can also fertilize the plant with a natural, organic fertilizer, such as coffee grounds. Thanks to its slightly acidic pH, simply crumble it and scatter it on the ground and it will release a high concentration of nitrogen over time. As a bonus, it is a perfect repellent against parasites and pests, such as snails or slugs.
This method is very easy to use and you can even apply it to other plants in the garden.
Caution: however, it is important not to overuse coffee grounds, as you could change the pH of the soil.
3. The right location
Keeping the jade tree on the balcony seems ideal to encourage it to grow bushy and thick. But you must be wary of excessive exposure to the sun: avoid too intense rays which risk burning the leaves and making them yellowish.
In winter, the plant tends to grow more slowly, the ideal would be to install the plant indoors. Especially if the temperatures are too low or even below 10°C on the balcony.
Caution: If your jade tree appears to be suffering, always seek help from your florist or gardener.
4. Take cuttings
If your jade tree is growing too slowly, you can create a bush by growing cuttings in the same pot.
Take cuttings by cutting a stem with healthy leaves using well-sterilized scissors. Then place them in the potting soil of the same pot at a distance of at least 4-5 cm to prevent the roots from intertwining and choking each other.
NB: Before burying the cuttings, it is useful to soak the cut part in a rooting product to accelerate the emergence of new roots.
