Jade plant fungus is a typical problem that can affect this plant at any stage.
The most common type of jade plant fungus is called Fusarium oxysporum, which is a soil-borne fungus that affects the roots of the plant.
But there are various other types of fungi that can also cause problems for your Jade plant.
So, in today's guide, let's learn more about this specific issue on this plant.
Types Of Jade Plant Fungus Issues
As I mentioned earlier, there are many types of fungi that can affect your Jade plant.
So, let's look at them one by one.
- Powdery Mildew
- White Spots On The Leaves
- Black Spots On The Leaves
- Root Rot
- Stem Rot
These are the most common fungus damage issues you get to see when the plant is under attack.
But thankfully, you can still fix these issues with the right care and management.
In the following section, you will find more insights on this topic.
So, let's dive right in.
How To Treat Jade Plant Fungus
Here's how you can tackle this issue in your Jade plant -
1. Examine The Plant Closely
This is how you can measure the extent of the damage.
If you see any early signs, it's better to take action immediately.
But if the problem has already spread, you must be more careful while treating it.
While examining the Jade plant, you should also check the leaves, stems, and roots.
The fungus directly affects these parts and causes severe damage.
Important: When examining the roots, do not put a lot of pressure on the plant.
This can further damage the roots and make the problem worse.
2. Check The Soil
Since the fungus may be soil-borne, it's important to check the quality of the soil.
The ideal way to do this is by taking a sample of the soil and sending it to a lab for analysis.
But if it's not possible, you can also look at the surface of the soil.
If you see any white, powdery substance, it's a sign that the fungus has already started to attack the plant.
Sometimes, you will also see green or black patches on the soil's surface.
This is another sign that the fungus has started to spread.
3. Remove Infected Plant Parts
It's time to get your hands dirty!
So, you should start by removing all the infected plant parts.
You can use a sharp scissor to cut these parts.
While performing this task, you should cut them as close to the main plant as possible.
Besides, do not throw these infected parts in your compost bin.
If you do, the fungus will spread to other plants as well.
Instead, you can dispose of them in a plastic bag so that they don't come in contact with other plants.
4. Use A Fungicide
As you might know, fungicides are chemicals that are used to kill fungi.
So, this can be a good option to treat the Jade plant fungus.
There are various products available in the market that you can use, but you should only get the one recommended for succulents or Jade plants.
Do not use any other fungicide, as it will make things even worse for your plant.
Now, here's a step-by-step process to follow -
- First, you need to water the plant a day before spraying the fungicide.
- On the next day, prepare the solution according to the instructions given on the label of the fungicide. Ideally, you should use a diluted solution.
- Put on the gloves and mask. Mask is optional here, but you can read and follow the guidelines mentioned on the label.
- Once you're ready with everything, you can go ahead and spray the affected plant parts. Do not forget to spray the soil surface as well.
For Neem Oil spray, you can use the following proportion -
1 tablespoon of Neem Oil + 1 teaspoon of Soap + 1 gallon of Water
Mix these ingredients together and spray on the affected parts.
After spraying, you should wait a few days to see the results.
Also, you should separate this plant from the other plants in your indoor garden.
This is a precautionary step, as you don't want the other plants to get affected by the fungus.
5. Improve Air Circulation
Even though you will have to move this plant away from its current position, it's important to keep good air circulation around it.
This will help prevent further fungus attacks and growth in your Jade plant.
You can achieve this by opening the windows or doors of the room where your plant is kept.
If possible, you should also use a fan to create a gentle breeze in the room.
6. Keep It In A Bright Sunlight
When you are done with all the other steps, it's time to focus on the plant's growth.
For this, you need to keep the plant in bright sunlight.
This also helps prevent fungus growth in your plant and makes it easier to grow the Jade plant without any issues.
7. Use Fresh Soil Or Repot The Plant
You should perform this task only when the roots are affected by the fungus.
This is why it's essential to thoroughly examine the plant before you start.
If you find that the roots are heavily damaged, it's better to repot the plant.
Repotting will give the plant a fresh start, and it will also help get rid of the fungus completely.
On the other hand, if the roots are not damaged, you can simply replace the top layer of the soil.
This will help refresh the plant and also get rid of any remaining fungus.
8. Do Not Use Homemade Compost For Your Jade Plant
This is more of a preventive step but is more effective in keeping the fungus at bay.
Sometimes, homemade compost contains harmful fungi that can infect your plant.
So, it's best to avoid using it on your Jade plant, especially when you already see the signs of a fungal infection.
It's better to be safe than sorry, and this simple step can save your plant from a lot of trouble.
9. Avoid Overcrowding Of Plants
That's the last thing you want to do if you want to keep your Jade plant safe and fungus-free.
When plants are kept close together, it provides the perfect environment for fungi to spread and infect other plants.
So, it's important to maintain some distance between the plants in your indoor garden.
And it becomes even more critical when your Jade plant or any other plant is showing the signs of a fungal infection.
10. Keep An Eye On The Plant
Despite following all the steps mentioned above, you should still keep a close eye on the plant.
The fungus can come back, and you don't want that to happen.
And the only way to prevent that from happening is through regular inspection.
You should check the plant daily for any new fungus growth.
If you see any, you will probably need to spray the fungicide again.
In fact, you will have to spray it a couple of times to see its complete effect.
So, it's definitely worth examining your Jade plant to curb any potential problems.
These are the most effective ways to get rid of Jade plant fungus.
It can be a real pain to deal with.
But if you follow the suggestions and take proper care of the plant, you can get rid of the fungus for good.
And your plant will thrive and look beautiful once again.
Now, let's move on to the next section, where I've shared some FAQs related to this topic.
FAQs
Mold can form on your Jade plant for a few reasons -
The plant is overwatered, and the soil is too damp.
The plant is in a humid environment.
There is poor air circulation around the plant.
There is too much shade.
The plant is stressed.
Any of these factors can lead to mold growth on your Jade plant.
The white sticky stuff on your Jade plant is most likely a fungus called powdery mildew.
It forms when the plant is under stress, and the conditions are favorable for its growth.
If you see powdery mildew on your Jade plant, you can follow the above-mentioned tips to get rid of it.
Fungus on the Jade plant looks like white or black spots on the leaves, stem, or roots.
It can also lead to the deformation of the plant parts.
If you see any of these signs, it's time to take action and remove the fungus from your plant.
The best way to get rid of powdery mildew is to use a fungicide.
Generally, fungicides containing sulfur or copper are effective against powdery mildew.
You can also try using neem oil or horticultural oil to resolve this problem.
You can treat fungus on succulents by removing the affected plant parts and disposing of them.
There are also a few fungicides that you can use to tackle this issue.
However, you need to be extra careful while using fungicides, as they can be harmful to the plant if not used correctly.
Succulents are quite sensitive, so it's best to use these solutions in less concentrated forms.
Over To You
Fungus problems can be devastating for your Jade plant as well as other plants in your indoor garden.
But, as mentioned earlier, you can always improve the condition by taking the right measures at the right time.
Now, if you have any questions or suggestions related to this topic, feel free to share them in the comment section below.
I would love to hear from you.
If you find this guide helpful, do share it with other plant parents who might need it.
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