Jade Plant Leaves Turning Black: Causes and What To Do
What is going on with my jade plant? Its leaves are turning black! If you find yourself wondering the same thing, rest assured that it’s not just your plant. There are a few different causes for this change in leaf color, and knowing what they are will help you decide how best to care for your plant. Today, we will discuss the most common reasons why jade plants have dark leaves, as well as some tips for how to prevent or reverse them.
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What is Causing My Jade Plant Leaves to turn black?
There are many causes for jade plant leaves to turn black. Some of these include being under-watered, being over-watered, too much sun exposure, and temperatures that are either too hot or cold. Let’s take a look at each one.
Underwatering
One of the most common reasons why your jade plant leaves are turning black is because the plant isn’t getting enough water. Jade plants need to be watered regularly, and should never go completely dry before being re-watered. If you are noticing that your jade plant leaves have turned dark or grayish color, this may mean that it has been under-watered for too long.
Overwatering
Just as underwatering can causes issues, so can overwatering your plant as well. If you have been watering your plant too often, it may be drowning the roots and they will start to rot as a result. This creates an environment that favors bacteria growth, which in turn causes leaf-blackening on the jade plant leaves.
Too Much Sun Exposure
Many people who have a jade plant in their home will notice that the leaves turn black after spending too much time near windows. This is because, as sunlight passes through the window, it can reach your plants and cause them to change color. To avoid this problem altogether, you may want to keep your plant away from direct light or consider buying a UV filter.
Temperature Range
Jade Plants need temperatures between 55-77 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain healthy growth. If the temperature is too cold, your plant will start turning black leaves as a result of freezing due to low temperatures and can begin losing its roots when growing in soil that’s not warm enough.
High Humidity
Jade plants are native to arid climates and do not enjoy being in humid environments. This can lead to leaf spotting or leaf tips that turn brown and eventually die off. If your home is humid, you may also want to wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth every day to help reduce moisture on them.
The Soil Needs To Be Changed
One of the things you should do is check the soil. Jade plants need a lot of light in order to grow healthy and properly, but they also require well-draining soils with good aeration.
If your potting mix has been sitting unchanged for long periods of time, the roots may have been smothered and will not be able to get enough oxygen.
If you are able to see dark patches on your soil surface or if it is wet all of the ways through, chances are that it’s too heavy for your plant.
How To Save My Jade Plant
Start by re-potting it into a good potting soil mix like a succulent soil mix that is made for jade plants and checking for any signs of pests or disease.
Next, consider moving the pot away from windows where sunlight is hitting it too often. Either move it to a new location or consider using curtains, blinds, or UV filters in order to protect your plant from sunlight exposure.
One of the most important things you can do is water your jade plant regularly. Make sure that you aren’t watering it too often or under-watering it and try not to let the soil dry out for long periods of time.
You can also cut off the damaged part of the leaves that are black so they don’t spread any further. If cutting off the affected leaves does not work, then it might be time to re-potting it into a good potting soil mix like a succulent soil mix that is made for jade plants.
Save Your Jade Plant Through Propagation
If you are unable to save your jade plant, remember that propagation is an option.
Step One:
Use a clean, sharp knife to cut off the part of the plant that is healthy and free from black leaves.
Step Two:
Dig around in the potting soil until you find an area where there are roots. Remove any large rocks or other materials before carefully removing some of these roots.
Step Three:
Place your cutting about three to four inches below the soil surface. Cover it with some potting mix and gently firm down to remove any airspaces around your cutting.
Step Four:
Place a clear plastic bag over the top of the container, making sure that you leave about one inch unsealed at the top for air circulation. The sealed edges will help trap moisture while keeping out pests and dirt.
Step Five:
Place your container in a sunny spot where it will get at least six hours of sunlight per day, but avoid placing it near any windows that can lead to the leaves blackening again.
