The name “jade plant” suggests glossy glossy green foliage. So if your jade plant turns from green to purple, you might be surprised! However, there is usually nothing to worry about if your plant turns purple or reddish.
The jade plant turning purple is a sign that you are going through stressful conditions. This includes too much sun exposure, heat stress, and lack of phosphorus, which can cause the anthocyanin content of the jade plant to increase, resulting in a color change to purple.
These plants can tolerate different conditions and change color depending on their environment and different environmental factors.
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Is your jade plant stressed?
Stress is the usual reason why jade plants turn purple. All sorts of things can cause stress, and it’s usually not a life-threatening problem for these plants. Some growers even intentionally stress their plants to change color!
However, sometimes the problem is more serious. It is best to determine what causes your plant to turn purple. then you can decide if you want to keep your plant purple or encourage it to turn green again.
Let’s take a look at the different stressors that can affect your plant.
Causes of the jade plant turning purple
sun stress
The most common reason for jade plants to turn purple is excessive sun exposure. Although jade plants like bright environments, they don’t need as much direct light as other succulents.
If you keep your plant in a place where it receives lots of direct sunlight, such as on a sunny windowsill, it will protect itself from the sun’s rays by producing anthocyanins in the surface cells of its leaves. (Source: Wiley Online Library)
Anthocyanins are purple, red, or blue in color and play several roles in protecting a plant’s leaves from damage. They have been shown to effectively filter out harmful UV rays and reduce the damage caused by sunburn – the jade plant’s natural sunscreen!
The solution
Usually, a little stress from the sun won’t cause any problems for a jade plant. If you don’t mind the purple tint to your plant’s leaves, you can usually leave it that way. However, if your plant appears unhealthy, with wilted or dying leaves, move it to a location with less direct sunlight.
If you want your jade plant to produce green foliage without a purple tint, keep it in a location where it receives plenty of bright light, but no direct sunlight on the leaves.
insufficient light
If you keep your jade plant in a very dark place, it will produce anthocyanins and turn purple. Studies show that anthocyanins increase the efficiency of photosynthesis – the plant uses these chemicals to make food in dark environments. Unless you notice that your plant looks very unhealthy, this shouldn’t be a problem.
The solution
Ideally, you should keep your Jade plant in a location where it receives plenty of bright, indirect light. A position in a bright room, a few meters from the window, is perfect.
excessive heat or cold
Another common stressor for jade plants that can cause the leaves to turn purple is extreme heat or cold. Jade plants need a temperature of 18-24°C to thrive and will show symptoms of stress if kept at temperatures outside of this range.
The anthocyanins produced when a plant is under stress protect it in several ways. This mechanism is not yet fully understood, but studies have shown that parts with higher concentrations of anthocyanins have better tolerance to low temperatures.
The solution
Keep your Jade plant in a situation where the temperature remains within the recommended range, ideally without large fluctuations.
Drafts and heat sources like windows and air conditioners can stress plants and trigger anthocyanin production. If you want your plant to keep its foliage green, it’s best to keep it away from anything that causes temperature fluctuations.
Submarine
If your jade plant’s leaves are wrinkled and withered and also purple, the plant may need a drink. While succulents like jade plants don’t need as much water as other types of plants, they do need a little!
When not watered, a plant’s leaf cells begin to collapse, causing the plant to wilt. This is an emergency measure that minimizes leaf area and helps reduce moisture loss. The jade plant also develops serial roots due to water stress and tries to absorb moisture from the air.
If you haven’t watered your plant in about a month and it’s starting to look unhappy, that’s probably the reason.
The solution
Regularly check the moisture content of your plant’s soil. When completely dry, place the pot in a container of water for an hour or two so the plant can drink deeply.
Jade plants are accustomed to long periods without rain and occasional heavy downpours in their natural environment. Your plant will respond much better to an occasional deep drink than to a relatively frequent small amount of water.
In the summer, your jade plant will need more water because the rate of transpiration is higher. You should water it once a week. In winter, the plant enters a resting phase, slowing down its physiological activities, so your jade plant needs less water. Therefore, your plant can only water once every two to three weeks.
Overwatering and poor drainage
Overwatering your Jade plant is a bad idea. Too much water around a plant’s roots can cause it to drown; the roots cannot absorb the oxygen the plant needs to survive.
Additionally, excess water encourages fungal organisms that cause root rot, the number one killer of houseplants. Root rot destroys a plant’s roots and prevents it from absorbing water or nutrients.
Both of these issues stress your plant, triggering the production of anthocyanins and turning the leaves purple. If your plant has developed root rot, it will also show symptoms of dehydration and nutrient deficiency: withered, yellowing leaves that gradually die back.
The solution
Keep your plant in a container with plenty of drainage holes and well-drained potting soil. Only water your plant when the potting soil is completely dry, always check that first, and never water on a schedule.
If you have overwatered your plant, repot it in fresh, well-drained potting soil and leave it unwatered for a few weeks. If you have developed root rot it may be difficult to save it and you should consider propagating a new plant from one of the leaves.
Fortunately, jade plants multiply easily: cut off a healthy leaf, place it in fresh potting soil and keep it moist. Within a few weeks, your new plant should start to root and grow.
nutrient deficiency
The reddish-purple leaves of a jade plant may be a symptom of a phosphorus deficiency. Jade plants don’t need a lot of fertilizer to survive, so it’s not a common problem. But if you’ve had your plant for a long time and never fed it, that could be the problem.
The solution
Feed your Jade plant with a general houseplant fertilizer once every two to four months. Always follow the instructions and avoid feeding it in winter.
Plagues and diseases
Jade plants are not susceptible to pests and diseases. Yet, as with any houseplant, infection is possible, especially if the plant is already stressed. Any type of pest or disease affecting your jade plant can cause the leaves to turn purple due to stress. Pay attention to the symptoms of the most common problems:
| Plague | Symptoms | The solution |
| Mealybugs and softshell | Fuzzy or waxy white, gray or brown immobile clusters under the leaves near the stem Presence of sticky honeydew. Withered and yellowed leaves. | Horticultural oil or insecticide such as neem. |
| red spider | Small yellow or brown spots on the leaves Presence of small mites and fine tissue under the leaves. | Spray the mites on a plant with a hose Horticultural oil or insecticide such as neem Specially developed miticides. |
| Diseases | Symptoms and causes | The solution |
| Bacterial soft rot | Jade Plant becomes mushy and crumbles. Caused by pathogen Erwinia | Isolate and dispose of plants. |
| powdery mildew | White or gray powdery areas on leaves and stems that turn into crusty patches. Spherotheque | Improve air circulation and treat plants with fungicide. |
(Source: Pennsylvania State University)
When should you be worried about your jade plant turning purple?
Stress caused by lighting conditions, inappropriate temperatures and lack of nutrients can be easily solved by adjusting your plant’s growing conditions. Jade plants are relatively hardy and should respond well. You can even choose to keep your plant in a slightly stressed state to maintain the purple color.
However, if your plant’s stress has been caused by root rot due to poor drainage or overwatering, or by a pest or disease, it is essential to address the problem as soon as possible, otherwise the plant could die. In addition to purple leaf, look for symptoms of these issues.