Yes, jade plants absolutely need pots with drainage holes because they are succulents that hate "wet feet," and lack of drainage leads to soggy soil, which causes root rot, the primary killer of jade plants. Using pots with holes allows excess water to escape, preventing waterlogging, which is crucial for their health, even with well-draining soil.
Additionally, the plant cannot tolerate “wet feet” or water accumulated at the base of the pot, so it is extremely important to provide a pot with proper drainage to prevent this condition, which may lead to root rot.
Jade Plants are succulents, so they need a well-draining, aerated potting mix (their roots need to breathe). Water should flow out freely so the mix and roots don't stay too wet, which can lead to root rot.
With a little pre-planning, the greenery you plant in your planters without drainage holes can thrive for years to come. While we know that it is important for plants to receive a steady water source, too much water creates an environment for stagnant water, root rot, and disease.
Repotting jade plants. Jade plants typically need repotting every 3 to 4 years. If your plant becomes root bound, it is time to repot. The best time to repot is in spring at the start of the plant's main growing season.
Jade plants are succulents (they hold water in their leaves). They don't do well when sitting in constantly moist soil, so let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Indoors, this will probably mean watering once every 2 to 3 weeks—but be sure to check regularly!
Water the jade plant only when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering is very dangerous to the plant, so be sure to pour off any excess pooling. Use fertilizer sparingly on jade plants, and only when there are signs of growth.
Moisture Requirements: Plants that prefer consistently moist soil, such as ferns, begonias, and African violets, are ideal candidates for self-watering planters.
They're meant to be drop pots! Keep your plants in draining pots and drop them in a decorative pot! Not only does it look great, but protects your surfaces from water damage.
You can use any unwanted plant pots or chipped crockery for this – simply smash them up into small to medium-sized pieces. Adding a layer of broken pieces of pot like this will prevent compost loss out of the drainage holes. It will also stop the drainage holes from becoming blocked.
One major jade plant benefit is the plant's longevity. With proper care, jade plants can live between 50 and 70 years—sometimes even longer. Because of this, they're often passed down generationally.
Jade plant disadvantages include being toxic to pets, sensitive to overwatering (leading to root rot), requiring lots of bright light (prone to stretching in low light), slow growth, potential for pests like mealybugs, and sensitivity to cold, though they are generally low-maintenance. Their fleshy leaves store water, making proper drainage crucial, and they need careful monitoring to avoid common issues like leggy stems or mushy leaves.
Similarly, the height of the pot must be 10% greater than your plants'. Using a perfect size pot will give your succulents enough space to grow healthier, without having too much soil or crowding the roots. However, if you are planting cuttings, make sure to use a shallow container.
Jades don't mind being in a smaller pot, and they don't need to be repotted very often.
Watering from the bottom
Alternatively, you may want to try the bottom watering method. This method allows water to go straight to the root which is where jade plants need it most.
Adding rocks can actually trap water, harm your plants' roots, and even damage your container over time. So, what really belongs in the bottom of your planter? High-quality potting soil—nothing else.
Create a Drainage Layer:
Add a layer of coarse material at the bottom of the pot, such as gravel or broken pieces of terracotta pots. This layer helps prevent water from saturating the soil and promotes better drainage.
Do plant pots need drainage holes? Most plants require proper drainage to thrive. Though using a planter with drainage holes isn't the only way to make sure your plant will survive, it is one of the easiest ways to ensure your plant doesn't perish from overwatering.
Instead of drenching the potting mix – like you would if there were drain holes – you'll need to carefully add just enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil around the roots, but not so much that you waterlog the potting mix and leave water sitting in the bottom of the container.
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is the plant known for removing a significant amount of airborne mold, with studies showing it can eliminate around 78% of mold spores and 94% of fecal particles in 12 hours in sealed environments, though real-world effectiveness varies and it's toxic if ingested, making other options like Peace Lilies and Snake Plants popular for general air purification.
The roots of the succulent will be in soggy soil and will begin to rot within a couple of days if the soil does not dry out. Careful application of water to succulents being grown in pots without drainage holes is needed to prevent root rot.
We've put together ten easy-to-care-for options that will grow well in water.
South Or Southeast Window/Corner/Position
South and southeast directions are often the best spots for jade plants. These areas provide the right balance of natural light and energetic alignment for growth and prosperity. Jade plants need about 4–6 hours of sunlight daily.
Watering Jade Plants
To mimic these conditions in your very own home, make sure to water your plant deeply, and wait until the soil's surface is dry before watering the plant again. If you notice shriveled leaves and limp stems on your plant, it's a sign you've waited too long to water.
A jade plant's leaves will reveal if it's being overwatered. “At first, there may be a bit of wilt since the leaves are losing more moisture than the plant can take up,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms. Then, the leaves may start to become yellow or drop.