Why Is My Jade Plant Not Growing? (Causes+What To Do)

Jade plants are a slow grower, and you shouldn’t worry about them until they grow by a few inches every year.

However, it can be a matter of concern if there is no growth for quite some time. But what can be causing the issue? Why is your jade plant not growing? Let’s find out!

Poor lighting conditions, inadequate watering, and lack of nutrients are the primary causes of stunted growth in a jade plant. Providing them with bright light, adequate fertilizers, and a proper watering schedule will help your jade plant thrive. In addition, jade plants will get dormant during the winter.

Apart from these, there can be other reasons as well that may result in stunted growth in a jade plant. So let’s dive into further details of the same.

Are jade plants slow growers?

The Jade plant is a desert plant that grows fairly slowly. Nevertheless, it can grow about 6-20 centimeters every year if proper care and attention are given.

It might take you a few years for your jade plant to mature. After that, you don’t generally need to give them much care, except for their few basic needs.

In this article, we shall discuss all the factors that can affect your jade plant’s growth. Understanding the cause of stunted growth and taking appropriate actions to fix the issue will help your jade plant to thrive.

My jade plant is not growing

There might be multiple reasons for stunted growth in a jade plant. Sometimes we mistakenly consider the slow growth rate of the jade plant with stunted growth. You need to read your plant carefully.

Jade plants are slow growers, and if they grow about 6-20 cm every year, then there is nothing to worry about.

But what if your jade plant hasn’t grown at all? It is undoubtedly a matter of concern, and that’s what we are going to tackle now.

Let’s learn about various factors that affect the growth rate of a jade plant and how you can help them grow adequately.

Growing jade plant at the wrong time of the year

The time of the year plays a significant role in the growth of a jade plant. Jade plants usually grow faster during spring and summer and slowly during fall and winter.

So, if you are experiencing slow growth at the wrong time of the year, then it’s pretty standard, and you shouldn’t worry at all.

If you are planting a new jade plant, you don’t want to plant them during winter. This is because it might be difficult for you to grow them during this time of the year.

The jade plant is a desert plant, and its growth reduces during the winter season. So you can understand that jade goes through winter dormancy.

Your plant growth during this time of the year is negligible or almost zero.

So it is best to grow or plant the jade plant in between the spring and summer season. Avoid the fall and winter seasons as you will likely see no growth and will only stress your plant further.

The humidity level is not ideal

The jade plant is succulent that thrives in a warm and dry climate. Its requirement for the humidity level is from low to moderate. The Jade plant experiences stunted growth if it is kept in high humidity areas.

Low humidity helps the jade plant to grow. It is ideal for keeping the humidity ranging from 30% to 50%. The humidity level should not be more than that; otherwise, it hampers the growth of the jade plant.

If you live in a dry climate area, it will be best to keep the jade plant near the window to get enough lighting and low humidity.

Please do not mist your jade plant as it increases the humidity level around the plant, which it doesn’t like.

You must also make sure you don’t group it with other tropical plants as the humidity level will rise when they are grouped together.

Your jade plant is not getting enough light

The jade plant needs to have ample sunlight to thrive. Therefore, you can give them direct sunlight for a few hours.

A fully grown jade plant can handle the sunlight for a much longer time, but you should keep younger ones under indirect lighting conditions.

The Jade plant has its origin in the desert, where it gets a lot of natural sunlight. So, it is natural that if the plant does not get enough light, the growth will get compromised.

For the healthy growth of the jade plant, a minimum of 4 hours of bright light is necessary. Thus, the combination of natural and artificial light works like magic in the growth of the jade plant.

If you stay in a low-light area, artificial light helps fulfill the jade plant’s requirement. However, keeping the plant directly in the sunlight may cause sunburn and make the plant dehydrated.

If your jade plant is not growing and shedding leaves during winters, then low light may be the reason for it.

You are under-watering your jade plant

If the jade plant is not growing consistently, then you must check for your watering habits. Underwatering the jade plant often leads to stunted growth.

Though jade plants do not need much water, it is essential to water it when the soil gets completely dried out. Otherwise, it will use the water stored in the leaves, which results in stunted growth and wilting.

Generally, there is no hard and fast rule for watering the jade plant. However, while watering the jade plant, one must mark that the top layer of the soil is completely dried out.

During summer, it needs more water because it grows actively, and the air is warm and dry in the summer season.

But be aware that you must water it on time. Don’t overwater or underwater your jade plants.

Also read: How often should I water my jade plants?

Lack of nutrients in the soil

The jade plant is a light feeder. However, a lack of essential nutrients leads to stunted growth of the jade plant.

You can fertilize your jade plant every two months of interval. However, too much soil and fertilizer can harm the plant instead of doing any good.

Adding too much soil fertilizer may burn the plant from within, and you may not see any growth in the plant.

You must use fertilizer specially made for succulent plants while fertilizing your jade plants.

And always remember that you should only feed jade plants during spring and summer. Avoid feeding them during winter.

Also read: Do jade plant need fertilizer? How much? How often?

Growing jade plants in the wrong type of soil

It is exciting to see the growth of the jade plant as the plant grows. However, if you choose the wrong type of soil, you may see almost negligible growth in your jade plants.

If the jade plant is grown in soil with good water-absorbing qualities, it is not suitable for the jade plant. It will cause root rot in the jade plant. 

The Jade plant needs soil, which can hold the water long enough for the plant to absorb the same and let the extra water pass out from the drainage hole. 

One must use the proper soil mixture specially prepared for the succulent plants. You must also keep the soil’s pH level in check before adding it to your jade plant. It is crucial and must not be ignored for the better growth of the plant.

A simple yet efficient soil mix is:

• Two parts of the succulent mix
• And a small amount of organic matter like compost or worm casting

If you choose the wrong type of soil that retains too much water, then your jade plant is likely to suffer.

Also read: Best soil mix for jade plants?

Re-potting again and again

As you know, too much of anything is harmful, and the same goes for repotting your jade plants.

It is essential to repot the jade plant according to the growth and change in the size of the jade plant.

Repotting is also crucial as it provides new space for plant growth. Without repotting, it will compromise the growth of the plant.

Repotting is essential, that does not mean that one can repot the jade plant according to their will. Repotting should only be done when it is needed, not before that.

Frequent repotting may shock the plant, and this continuous process of the shock wave can hamper the growth of the jade plant and may even put the plant’s life in danger. Thus, repotting must be done when it is needed.

As a general rule, you must repot your jade plant in every 2-3 year interval when the plant is young, and you must repot the fully grown jade plant in every 4-5 years of interval.

Also read: Is my jade plant root bound? Should I repot it?

Pests attack jade plant

There is no such plant that can have total resistance to pests. Therefore, jade plants are vulnerable to pests as well. 

Pests like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scales usually infest our jade plants. 

These pests are very irritating and stunt the growth of your plant. 

Mealybugs feed on the juice of the plant. It is covered with a white cotton material that protects them from moisture and the external environment. However, they hamper plant growth and make the plant leaves sticky.

Scales, thrips, and spider mites are some of the other bugs that also affect the jade plant’s growth. One can use insecticidal soap, neem oil as a treatment for these pests.

Also read: How to get rid of bugs on jade plants?

Your jade plant is stressed out

Stressing the jade plant can also cause a delay in the growth of the jade plant. The following can be the reason for stress in your jade plant

• Lack of nutrient in the soil
• Underwatering 
• Overwatering
• Insufficient or too much sunlight
• Overfertilization

Too much of anything is harmful to the plant. On the other hand, just the right amount or a little flexible timetable will keep your plant healthy and stress-free and promote its growth.

How can I make my jade plant grow faster?

The Jade plant is a slow grower when compared with many other plants. Therefore, its growth requires your patience and regular care.

One can help with the faster growth of the jade plant by following the points below.

• Try to give your jade plant perfect humidity between 30% -50%. Jade plants prefer low humidity.
• Make sure that your plant is getting at least 4 hours of bright light. If not, try to arrange artificial light for them. The combination of natural and artificial light may give better results.
• Do not let your plant get underwatered. Try to read the water needs of the plant. If the top layer of the soil dries out completely, only then should you re-water your jade plant.
• Do not let the soil be deprived of the nutrients required by the plant. Fertilize the plant every two months.
• Re-potting of the plant is an essential process, but only at the correct time, not before that. Try to avoid re-potting the plant again and again; it may give shock every time you re-pot your plant.
• Room temperature is best suitable for the growth of jade plants.
• Provide the plants with proper treatment in case any fungal or pests attack the plant.
• Keep in check that the container has a proper drainage hole in it.

Following this will help you grow your jade plant faster.

Also read: How fast do jade plant grow?

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Source: NYBG, The University of Arkansas, University of Florida, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of Jade Plant, CABI, University of Minnesota, The University of Missouri.