Why is my jade plant turning red? – A PUZZLE

jade plants (Crassule ovata) are among the hardiest and easiest to grow houseplants, making them the perfect choice for the novice or lazy indoor gardener. However, if you start to see your jade plant turning red, you may be wondering what is wrong and what to do to fix the problem.

Why is my jade plant turning red? Several factors naturally affect the redness of a jade plant, including extreme heat, too much sun, lack of water or nutrients. There are also a number of cultivars that naturally have red foliage.

While this red color change is often harmless, there are a few important things to keep in mind to keep your jade plant healthy. Read on to find out why jade plants turn red, as well as tips to help your jade plant thrive.

I’ve also written a detailed care guide for growing jade plants, so if you have any other questions about keeping your jade plant healthy, this will probably be very helpful.

Contents

Ornamental Features of Jade Plants

Jade plants are part of the Crassulaceae family and are native to the desert regions of South Africa. Dutch settlers introduced the succulent to Europe over 100 years ago and it is still considered a favorite houseplant.

Their continued popularity is mainly due to the hardiness of a jade plant and they are not dramatic queens when it comes to their care. Additionally, jade plants add a unique and attractive appeal as houseplants and are popular bonsai plants.

In their native environment, jade plants can reach 3 feet tall and wide, with log-sized trunks and large branches covered in fleshy, green, succulent oval leaves that can reach ¼ inch in diameter. ‘thickness.

Although slow growing, a properly cared for jade plant can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors over time and the plants have been known to live for over 100 years so expect some she honors you inside for years with her presence. .

When grown indoors, jade plants rarely flower, but when kept in a consistently warm, sunny environment, clusters of white to pink star-shaped flowers bloom in winter.

Don’t worry if yours never blooms, as most indoor conditions won’t produce the continuous amount of heat and sun needed to produce flowers. Additionally, even if you grow it outdoors under the desired conditions, your Jade plant may flower rarely, if at all.

jade plant turns red crassula ovata

The jade plant turns red due to natural conditions

Extreme environmental conditions aren’t necessarily bad for your Jade plant, and just because the foliage turns red doesn’t mean your plant is suffering.

It should be remembered that jade plants are succulents native to dry, arid regions where they thrive in the harsh conditions that are inhospitable to most plants.

These harsh conditions typically include intense sunshine, heat, lack of soil fertility and water. In fact, jade plants look and function best when not spoiled and it is perfectly normal for them to turn reddish. That’s why they’re such perfect plants for black thumb gardeners: they thrive on neglect.

If you notice your Jade plant starting to turn reddish, it’s time to put on your detective hat and pay attention to any environmental changes. Chances are your Jade plant is experiencing one or more of the following conditions that promote redness:

  • Jade plants that receive an extreme amount of sunlight turn red.
  • The foliage of jade plants can turn red with very hot or cold temperature changes, such as those of summer and winter.
  • By reducing the frequency of water applications, the Jade plant loses some of its dark green color and changes its color to red.
  • Not giving fertilizer will give the Jade plant a reddish color.
  • A jade plant that turns red may be due to it growing in soil that lacks nutrients and fertilizers.

If your jade plant’s foliage turns a reddish color but it still looks healthy and is growing well, don’t worry, everything is fine. It only does what it was created to survive in the wild: thrive in less than ideal conditions where water and nutrients are scarce. One such element of natural change is that the jade plant takes on a reddish discoloration to its leaves.

Insect Problems That Cause Red Leaves

While a jade plant that undergoes good environmental changes will reward you with its colorful red-tinged foliage and sturdy, healthy growth, not all red changes should be ignored.

Spider mites are small sap-sucking pests and houseplants seem to be very susceptible to them, including jade plants. You can usually spot a problem if insects weave fine tissue on the Jade plant.

If you notice distorted leaves and small red spots on the leaves and stems, you probably have a spider mite problem. These pests can quickly move to your other houseplants, causing even bigger headaches, so it’s best to act quickly.

Use an insecticidal soap or pick and spray the entire Jade plant, making sure to get to both sides of the leaves. Always follow product instructions for mixing amounts and frequency of application.

jade plant turns red crassula ovata

Controlling the amount of red in your jade plant

You can control how much red the foliage of your Jade plant develops by controlling the amount of light, water, and nutrients it receives. However, there is nothing wrong with wanting the leaves of your Jade plant to remain shiny and deep green, and this is achieved by controlling the conditions.

  • Maximum greenery: Grow in fertile, well-drained potting soil, feed monthly with a semi-strength houseplant fertilizer and place the Jade plant in medium, indirect light conditions. Water when the soil dries out.
  • Reddish leaf tips: Grow in a fertile, well-drained potting mix or less fertile cactus mix and place in a partial sun spot. Reduce the frequency of water applications.
  • Maximum redness:To get the most redness in the foliage of your jade plant, grow it in less fertile soil and place it in a location that receives direct sunlight all day. The more sun it receives and the less fertility there is in the soil, the redder the leaves. Leaving the soil dry longer also promotes reddening of the leaves.

When should you be worried about your jade plant turning red?

Usually, a jade plant turning red is a natural thing and absolutely nothing to worry about, especially if it looks healthy. However, if it starts to look sick and isn’t growing its best, you need to take stock of the situation and help your Jade plant return to the land of the living.

If mites aren’t the problem or if you’ve treated them and the jade plant still looks sickly, it may have been neglected too much for its own good.

Here are some common issues that I have covered in other articles.

  • Why do jade plants have white spots and how do you solve it?
  • How to identify, treat and prevent overwatering of jade plants.
  • Why do jade plants lose their leaves and how to prevent it?

Jade plants have a natural drought tolerance and water retention will cause the leaves to turn red. However, being drought tolerant and growing in a container does not mean the plant can live months after months without watering and it will not negatively affect its health and yield.

If you notice that your jade plant’s leaves are beginning to lose their thickness, shine, and wrinkled appearance, it is suffering from a lack of water. If the plant stays in this state for too long, it may lose leaves and the branches will begin to dry out and die, especially if conditions are hot. You can even lose the whole plant.

Depending on the condition of the soil, you may be able to transplant the jade plant into cool, well-drained soil and water it thoroughly. Water when the top few inches of soil seem dry and you should see the foliage return to a healthier state after a few weeks.

Even if you’re trying to get rid of foliage redness by retaining water, it’s best to drink the jade plant entirely every three weeks or even sooner if you notice the leaves wanting to wilt.

natural red jade plants

Although extreme growing conditions can cause any type of jade plant to turn red, some naturally produce red foliage no matter what conditions the plant is in. However, you will likely find the common jade plant at your local nursery with thick, green, oval leaves and sturdy brown branches.

You can usually find different types of jade plants, including those that produce red leaves, through online plant vendors that sell succulents. Regardless of variety, all types of Jade plants require the same care and conditions for proper growth.

Types of jade plants with naturally reddish leaves include:

  • Jade Hobbit (Crassula ovata convoluta ‘Hobbit’): This slow-growing jade reaches about 3 feet tall, with reddish-tipped tubular leaves.
  • Red Jade Tree (Crassula ovata ‘California Red Tip’): When grown in full sun or bright light, the tips of the leaves take on a purple-red hue.
  • tricolor jade (Crassula ovata ‘Tricolor’): The leaves of this jade are more pointed than oval and the foliage is variegated with white, green and pink.
Crassula ovata convoluta 'Hobbit' red jade plant (Crassula ovata convoluta ‘Hobbit’) Source by Anne Jea

Basic care

Jade plants are one of the least fussy houseplants and require minimal maintenance for healthy growth. They are not fussy about their soil or its fertility as long as it drains well.

The plant will rot and die if grown in soggy conditions or overwatered, so watering is only necessary when the top few inches of soil dry out.

When it comes to lighting conditions, jade plants grow well in everything from full sun to medium indirect light and if indoor temperatures are right for you, so is the jade plant.

Remember, if your jade plant’s leaves start to take on a reddish hue and he’s happy, sit back and enjoy the chameleon effects, as the color change is normal.

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