The Jade Plant has a classic succulent look that matures into a bonsai-type tree as it matures over the years. Watch out for common causes of a Jade plant dropping leaves.
Jade Plants are succulents, and like other succulents, they prefer less water rather than more. Overwatering is one of the top causes of leaf drop in all members of the Crassula genus.
On the other end of the spectrum, avoiding watering or forgetting about the Jade Plant will also lead to leaf drop. Since they’re succulents, these plants do need the occasional deep watering to ensure the leaves stay plump and healthy.
Most types of Jade Plant aren’t as picky as many other succulents regarding the specific temperature. They prefer around 60 to 70 degrees F during the day and above 55 degrees F at night.
Pests can also trigger leaf loss in Jade Plants, but it’s less common than many other causes. Bacterial infections that kill off the roots or entire stems can lead to widespread leaf drop.
Fertilizer shock is a hard-to-spot cause of persistent leaf drop. If you add too much fertilizer at once or too often, your Jade Plant will lose leaves from the bottom upward.
Any significant change in the environment or stress to the plant can trigger the loss of at least a few leaves. Even just moving Jade Plants from one room to another can cost you a leaf or two as the plant adjusts to the new conditions.