To make your jade plant grow bigger and bushier, provide it with plenty of bright sunlight, use a well-draining succulent mix in a slightly larger pot (repot every few years), water thoroughly only when the soil is dry and leaves feel less plump, and prune strategically to encourage branching and a thicker trunk. Using a balanced fertilizer during growing seasons also helps.
To help a jade plant thrive, provide it with bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering. Water only when the soil is completely dry, and fertilize sparingly during the growing season. Pruning can also encourage bushier growth.
Try giving less (or no) fertilizer, less frequent water, and more bright sunlight. Jades get that nice thick tree trunk when they grow slowly in bright light. If the stalks can't stand up on their own, it will be smart to plant a few cuttings as a backup plan.
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.
Cut the top 1/3 or so off each stalk & replant those. I also have had the best at bottom watering jade plants because it forces the plant to grow bigger roots. I've read these plants can get very top heavy easily and that's how to help and it's worked for me.
For these reasons, the jade plant does best in a pot that provides a wide, sturdy base to support the weight of the plant as it releases new stems and leaves over time, and one that allows for maximum drainage.
With a bit of easy care, it can grow to be between 3 and 6 feet tall, but does so slowly, only growing about two inches a year. Native to South Africa, jade plants were once thought to bring good luck to their owners, so they were often given as housewarming gifts.
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.
The best place to put a jade plant in your home is a bright location with indirect sunlight, such as near a south- or east-facing window. Correct placement supports compact growth, healthy leaves, and long-term stability while preventing issues such as leggy stems or leaf drop.
Not only can you cut off the top of a jade plant, but it's actually encouraged. Cutting the top off of a jade plant will actually make it grow back bushier.
Water Deeply and Infrequently: Water your plants deeply so the water reaches the roots, but do so infrequently. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, resulting in stronger stems. Avoid Overwatering: Overwatering can lead to root rot and weak stems.
You could bury those long stems so it's more upright or you can cut and propagate it for her. Don't bury the stems. That will cause rot. I would simply try to stand it up in a gritty mix, using a large Rock or other support.
By ensuring you give your Jade the proper light, water, and nutrients, you can thicken the stem of a jade plant over time.
Jade plants like to be root-bound and can stay in the same pot for years, while replacing some surface soil annually. The proper, quick-draining soil, however, is essential. Soil should resemble the loose, free-draining mixture of a succulent's native habitat.
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. To do this, select a new pot that is a bit larger in diameter than the old one.
A flowering jade plant stands for growth and prosperity
Additionally, the southeast is the best direction to keep this plant. However, make sure that you keep it in the southeast corner of your living room; this plant is not beneficial when kept in the bedroom or bathroom.
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These leggy stems are the culprits you need to address. Carefully snip off these stems just above a leaf, making sure to note where the leaves attach to the stem. The exciting part? Your Jade will continue to sprout from the section you just cut off, leading to a lush, fuller appearance!
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.
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.
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!
It does grow best with bright indirect light. If your jade plant is not getting enough sun they will let you know. They will start to stretch their little plant bodies looking for any morsel of sunlight they can find. They will become stunted and leggy or in technical terms, etiolated, for all my plant nerds out there.
They can store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to tolerate dry conditions. Native to South Africa and Mozambique, the jade plant grows naturally as an evergreen shrub, reaching heights of up to 6 feet and living up to 100 years.