Why Is My Jade Plant Losing Leaves After Repotting?

A Jade plant can lose leaves for several reasons, but the primary reason is repotting stress.

When you move the plant from one pot to another place, it experiences a sudden change in its environment. During this process, the roots get disturbed, the fresh soil doesn't contain the same elements as the old soil mix, and the pot size might be too small or too large for the plant.

All of this can be stressful for the plant, which usually results in transplant shock.

Another possible reason for leaf loss is improper watering. Watering the plant too much or too little can lead to a leaf drop issue. So, if you want to summarize this issue, there are three reasons for it -

Repotting Stress
Overwatering
Underwatering

In most cases, your Jade plant will lose its leaves due to the above reasons, especially after repotting. But there are other possibilities too. Generally, when the plant sheds its leaves, it means it's either facing internal or external issues.

Here's the list of other common causes for leaf drops in Jade plants -

Direct sunlight or excess sunlight
Lack of sunlight
Excessive use of fertilizers
Weather change
Hard pruning
Fungus attack on the plant
No drainage holes in the pot
Spraying water on the leaves during cold seasons
Use of harsh fungicides
Natural decay

So, besides improper watering and repotting shock, you must consider the above ten causes for this issue in your Jade plant.

Jade Plant Leaf Drop Signs

There are three prominent signs of leaf drop in the Jade plant. If you see any of the following symptoms, expect more leaves to depict similar behavior in the coming days.

Wrinkled Leaves
Soft and Mushy Leaves
Droopy Leaves and Branches

Sometimes, the leaves may also turn crispy before falling off, but it's less likely to happen after repotting. It usually occurs due to too much sunlight and underwatering. Hence, it's critical to identify these indications early on, as you can reduce the leaf drop effect to a great extent.

How To Revive A Jade Plant Losing Leaves After Repotting

As you know, transplant shock and irregular watering schedule are the main reasons for this issue. So, you will have to focus on resolving these two issues before moving to other general care issues in your Jade plant.

Here's how to do it -

1. Water The Plant

If the plant is going through repotting stress, you should immediately water it well. Water will help alleviate stress in your plant and allow the roots to absorb sufficient water for food production.

When watering such a Jade plant, do not spray water on the leaves. Water it at the base of the plant.

Note - Do not overwater the plant at this stage. If you have already watered it well, skip this step altogether.

Once it begins to recover, you can change the watering frequency accordingly. Ideally, you should water the Jade plant every 7-10 days, but adjust the frequency depending on the size of your plant.

2. Prune Some Of The Branches

Pruning aids in reviving the Jade plant that is losing leaves after repotting. It promotes natural growth in the plant.

For this process, you will have to choose weak or damaged branches. Prune them lightly with sharp scissors. When you're done with pruning, you can wait a few weeks to see new leaf growth all over the plant.

That said, avoid pruning if the plant is not in a sound condition. Rather, resolve the other issues cited in the guide below.

3. Place The Pot In A Bright Spot

Despite being an indoor plant, the Jade plant needs indirect sunlight to develop new leaves and stems.

Therefore, you should find a spot in your home or garden where it can receive at least 4 hours of bright sunlight. The sunlight shouldn't be direct, though. You can also keep it in a shaded place, but ensure it gets daylight for a long span.

Regarding artificial lighting, you will have to check the intensity of the light produced by the light source. However, I'd recommend natural light to revive the Jade plant from this condition.

Tip - If the room receives direct sunlight, use curtains to reduce the light intensity.

4. Maintain The Temperature Around Your Jade Plant

As suggested by Colorado State University, the Jade plant likes to grow in the temperature range of 50°F - 75°F. It's an ideal temperature condition for this plant.

Of course, it can withstand a few degree fluctuations in the above range, but you will have to be careful until the plant recovers from the repotting stress.

If you feel the weather will change considerably in the next few weeks, move it to an appropriate spot. Don't expose it to too warm or too hot conditions. Else, revival will be difficult.

The humidity should be between 30% and 50% range.

5. Fertilize The Plant

The Jade plant requires balanced fertilizers for its growth. You can use any succulent-specific fertilizer for this plant.

Although it can tolerate poor and dry soil, it's essential to fertilize it in this condition. The fertilizers will boost the plant system effectively and stimulate growth quickly.

Important - Do not fertilize the plant if it has lost most leaves. In such cases, the fertilizers might burn the root system and make things worse for the plant.

But if you still want to give it a try, use homemade compost mixed with potting soil. This should allow your plant to revive.

Why Is My Jade Plant Not Growing After Repotting?

Like leaf drop, this is another standard observation after repotting the Jade plant.

When you repot the Jade plant, it goes through a transition phase. It needs time to get used to the new surroundings. So, you can expect the plant to show very little growth for about 3-4 weeks after repotting.

Once this period is over, the plant will produce more branches and leaves. However, it also depends on the seasons, potting mix, and plant size.

If the Jade plant is still not growing after a couple of months of repotting, you can examine the branches and roots again. Remove the plant from the pot for a detailed examination. This should give you an idea of any underlying condition.

You can also try the metal nails technique for better growth in your plant. Check out the video below.

Do Jade Plant Leaves Grow Back?

Yes, the Jade plant is resilient. Even if it drops leaves for the above reasons, it will grow fresh leaves in 3-4 weeks or a couple of months.

jade plant leaves growing back — Jade Plant Leaves Growing Back

Still, you can use the following techniques to stimulate leaf growth in your plant -

Trim the branches - If the plant is not affected by any issues and looks in good condition, you can trim some of its branches. But don't cut more than ⅓rd of leaves and branches.
Keep the plant in a well-ventilated place: Ventilation is key to keeping the plant and soil dry. Hence, once you prune the branches of your plant, transfer it to an area with good airflow.
Add nitrogen-rich fertilizer - Natural fertilizers like compost and vermicompost can do wonders for the leaf growth of this plant. You can also opt for chemical fertilizers with relatively high nitrogen amounts. Alternatively, use succulent-specific fertilizers for your Jade plant.

Note - If the plant has dropped most of its leaves, it may or may not survive. It needs at least a few leaves to produce food for the whole plant system. Moreover, it won't grow new leaves or branches without sufficient nutrients.

However, don't give up on your plant. Follow the above suggestions and take the necessary steps as per the condition of the plant. With proper watering, sunlight, and fertilizers, the Jade will grow back its leaves sooner than you'd expect.

Expert Tips To Reduce Repotting Shock In Jade Plant

Here are the tips -

Don't remove the plant harshly from the old pot. This can harm the roots and lead to transplant shock.
Don't prune the roots too much. A little trimming is sufficient, but don't go overboard with it.
Use fresh potting mix for the plant. Don't use the old potting mix, as it can contain harmful elements.
As mentioned earlier, don't expose the plant to direct sunlight immediately after repotting.
Similarly, avoid keeping the plant in a dark room.
You shouldn't move the plant too much after repotting. Once you have placed it in the new pot, leave it there for a while.
Keep it away from pets and children. They can hurt the plant accidentally.

Try to remember these suggestions, and I'm sure you will be able to prevent any damage to your plant.

In the next section, I have shared some FAQs related to this topic. Do check them out if you have any doubts.

FAQs

1. Do You Water A Jade Plant After Repotting?

Yes, it's highly recommended that you water your plant after repotting. This will help reduce the chance of transplant shock and promote new growth.

Do not overwater the plant, though. It's not going to help much in the process.

2. How Do You Revive A Dying Jade Plant?

You can revive the dying Jade plant by watering it regularly, keeping it in indirect sunlight, and using the right potting mix.

Once the plant shows new growth, you can start fertilizing it.

3. What To Do With Fallen Jade Leaves?

You can collect fallen Jade leaves and use them for propagation. This plant can be propagated through leaf propagation, so you can give it a shot.