Does Jade Plant Have Deep Roots?

Are you wondering whether Jade plants have deep roots or not?

The Jade plant is one of the most loved plants in the indoor gardening world.

The reason for it is its low-maintenance nature and the ability to grow into a tree.

Yes, if you are not aware of it, this indoor plant can also turn into a tree.

So, does that mean it will also have deeper and longer roots in the pot?

Let’s get to know more about the Jade plant’s roots in the following guide.

Does Jade Plant Have Deep Roots?

No, the Jade plant doesn’t have deep roots.

The plant has a small and shallow root system, which is perfect for its natural conditions.

In case you don’t know, the Jade plant is a succulent-type plant.

It grows in desert conditions.

In these environmental conditions, the plant doesn’t get many resources from the soil.

This includes water accumulation as well.

The sandy soil doesn’t hold water for too long, and the water evaporates fairly quickly due to high heat intensity.

Hence, the plant has adapted itself to these conditions, and it doesn’t send out many roots in search of water in the soil.

As a result, it also helps in retaining the energy for the plant, which can be useful for survival in harsh weather.

So, even if you plant it in the ground, its roots will not grow as large as other plants and trees.

But how does the plant manage its whole system?

I know this question might have popped up in your mind.

Well, the Jade plant uses its leaves and stem to store water and other resources for its system.

As I said earlier, the plant has adapted itself really well.

Sometimes, you will also see roots on the stem of this plant.

These aerial roots are another way through which it collects moisture from the air.

So, again, that’s how the Jade plant takes care of its needs during tough conditions.

Are Jade Plant Roots Invasive?

Jade plant roots are not invasive at all.

Although there isn’t much research done on the invasiveness of this species, the plant doesn’t spread as quickly as Aloe Vera or Areca Palm.

Therefore, if you are considering this plant for your garden, you should definitely go ahead with it.

As for the pots, the plant can also do well in small pots.

It doesn’t require a lot of space to grow in the ground.

Note: The Jade plant roots can go as deep as 3 ft. into the soil.

So, if you want to plant a small tree in the pot, you should plan accordingly.

In this case, you will require a slightly bigger pot to manage the future growth of your plant.

Having said that, you should avoid planting two or more Jade plants in the same pot, especially if you want to grow them into trees.

This will create congestion in the pot, as the plants will try to compete with each other for the same resources.

The plants will get rootbound in no time, and you will have no other option than to transplant them somewhere else.

How To Water Jade Plant

The good thing about the Jade plant or any other succulents is that they do not require a lot of water.

These plants are capable of thriving in low water conditions.

However, you will still need to water them regularly.

But you need to be careful while watering these plants, as they don’t like overwatering situations in the pot.

Now, here are a few things you need to understand while watering the Jade plant –

1. You can water this plant every 7-10 days, depending on the size of the plant.
2. Do not water the plant if the soil is wet.
3. Check for moisture in the soil. If the top 2-inch of soil has a considerable amount of moisture, you don’t have to water the plant.
4. Keep the plant in a sunny location, as it will help it dry out quickly.
5. Reduce the watering frequency during cold weather, especially in winter.
6. For the next round of watering, wait for the topsoil to dry out completely.
7. Inspect the plant regularly so that you can get to know about the underwatering and overwatering situation in the pot.
8. Do not mist the plant, as succulents don’t like a lot of moisture and humidity around them. This generally leads to fungal growth in the plant.

So, as you can see, these are the things that you need to remember while watering your Jade plant.

Now, let’s see how you should go about repotting your plant.

7 Things To Remember While Repotting A Jade Plant

Here’s what you need to know –

1. Water Your Jade Plant A Day Before Repotting

Yes, it needs to be watered a day or two before the repotting process.

This is quite important because it loosens up the soil, which makes it easier for you to remove the plant from the pot.

If you don’t water the plant, the roots will hold on to the soil tightly, and the soil will also hold its shape due to a lack of moisture.

So, both these things will prevent you from getting the plant out easily.

2. Remove The Plant From The Pot Carefully

That’s right!

The Jade plant has soft leaves and branches.

If you try to remove the plant harshly, it will cause damage to the plant.

And then, you will have to prune the damaged parts unnecessarily.

If you want to avoid all these things, make sure you follow this process slowly.

It may take some time in the beginning, but it will be worth it.

3. Check Whether The Plant Is Rootbound

Once you have removed the plant from the pot, you should perform an inspection of the roots.

If you have planted it in a small pot, the plant might have become rootbound over the period.

This is a natural process, and you don’t have to worry about the plant.

It is also a sign that the plant is doing well in general.

However, it probably needs more resources in terms of nutrients and soil mixture to continue the growth phase.

4. Prune The Roots

Before you address the lack of resources in the soil, this should be your priority task in this process.

Now, what’s root pruning?

It’s similar to the pruning we perform on the branches of the plant.

The only difference is you will have to trim the roots that are not required for the growth of the plant.

When you perform the inspection, you will typically see two types of roots underneath the soil.

The first ones are fresh roots, which should have white or orange colors.

The second ones are damaged or dead roots, which often look dark brown or black in color.

You will need to get rid of these roots from the plant.

And that’s pretty much what there is to root pruning!

If the plant is rootbound, you can also remove some of the spread-out roots.

These roots won’t help much for the growth of the plant.

More importantly, the plant will grow them back once you repot it.

Note: While performing the pruning, you should try to remove the outer roots only.

Do not remove inner roots that are attached to the main root system.

If you are unable to see the entire root system, you can also spray some water on them.

It should help in removing the dirt attached to them.

5. Prepare A Fresh Soil Mix For Repotting

While repotting the Jade plant, you should get rid of the existing soil.

Also, you shouldn’t use the same soil for any other plants.

As for the fresh soil mix, you can use any succulent soil mix for the Jade plant.

The thing you need to understand here is to have well-draining soil in the pot.

As you know, the Jade plant doesn’t like the soil that holds water for long.

So, in case your soil mix doesn’t drain out water quickly, you can add some perlite to it.

Try to avoid adding peat moss or cocopeat to this plant, as these potting mediums do retain moisture for a long time.

6. Add Fertilizer To The Potting Mix

When you have got the soil mix, you should also add some fertilizer to it.

This will help in boosting plant growth in the new growing medium.

As for the fertilizer, you don’t have to choose anything specific.

Simply use homemade compost or vermicompost for this plant.

If you can’t get hold of the fertilizer at this moment, it’s not a big issue.

You can add it later on, i.e., after a week or so.

7. Repot The Plant And Water It Well

Finally, repot the plant into the container.

In this stage, you can also use an entirely new pot for the plant.

If you want to grow into a tree, you should also choose a bigger-sized pot. 

Once you are done with the repotting, you should water the plant well.

You need to water it thoroughly till it drains out from the drainage holes.

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