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Best Jade Plant Fertilizer to Bag!

Contrary to popular belief, Jade Plants demand steady and punctual fertilization containing all the nutrients to support their growth at full potential.

Fertilize Jade Plants every 2-6 months during their growth span. Provide a water-soluble NPK fertilizer of half-strength having a nutrient ratio of 1:2:1 once at the beginning of spring and once in mid to late summer.

Indeed, there are some key takeaways for applying fertilizer to Jade Plants. Missing these rules can starve the Jade Plants and halt their growth.

Right Time to Fertilize Jade Plant

Jade Plants are succulents with a slow-growth rate. They only grow throughout the spring and summer (March to August).

Since the growing season lasts roughly 6 months, feeding the plant during that time promotes leaf and root growth.

Consider fertilizing once in early spring to speed up the growth and promote flowering in summer. 

Similarly, you can fertilize the Jade Plants again in late summer, right before the fall and winter.

It’s pointless to fertilize Jades during cold seasons as the plants remain dormant and almost stop feeding.

Image represents a dying Jade Plant as a result of overfertilization
In case of overfertilization, leaves of Jade Plants suffer from tips or marginal burns and later fall off from the plant.

Fertilizing the plant in fall and winter can lead to salt buildup in the topsoil, causing fertilizer burn.

Jade Plants and other succulents are light feeders but need short meals between the seasons as the year-round watering can leach away all the nutrients from the soil.

Overfertilization is unpleasant, but under-fertilization can be troubling for Jade Plants.

Without proper nutrients, leaves wither and fall out, turn yellow, the plant becomes weak, growth slows down, and pests and diseases frequently ambush the plant.

NPK Fertilizer Requirements for Jade Plant

Every fertilizer must have a proper balance of functional macronutrients and micronutrients to support the plant’s health.

These crucial nutrients occur in various fertilizers, but Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) are the almighty trio, which are present in all types of fertilizers.

Since Jade Plants live in nutrient-poor desert soil, they need weak, water-diluted fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 1:2:1.

If you want to opt for homemade fertilizers, use kitchen waste, like, compost, banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, green tea, fish waste, or molasses.

But premium chemical or inorganic fertilizers, like calcium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and superphosphate, are also readily available.

Overusing organic fertilizers won’t harm the plant directly, except they increase the soil acidity and lower the pH.

Frequent use of inorganic fertilizers can put the plant in grave danger, and as a side threat, these fertilizers can release several harmful by-products into the environment.

To know about the significance of fertilizers, let’s focus on the functions of three central nutrients present in most fertilizers. 

  • Nitrogen: Nitrogen is important for building the plant body and assembling enzymes for various cellular functions.
  • Phosphorus: Phosphorus helps to transfer energy, assists the Jade Plant in preparing the food, and aids in root growth.
  • Potassium: Potassium supports the plant cells to carry water, nutrients, and carbohydrates, helps to activate various enzymes and promotes flowers.

NPK fertilizers are not only used for succulents like Jade Plants but also for many delicate indoor herbs. However, the ratio of these three nutrients may vary!

Image represents the functions of macronutrients and micronutrients in Jade Plants
Jade Plants require macronutrients in large amounts, while micronutrients are less crucial for the plants and are present in fewer amounts.

Types of Fertilizers to Use for Jade Plant

Commercial inorganic fertilizers are available in liquid, granular, and slow-release forms. 

1. Granular Fertilizers 

  • Sold as dry pellets or granules.
  • Contain high amounts of potassium and nitrogen.
  • Suitable for application in large fields or areas.
  • Slowly mixes with the soil with successive watering bouts.

2. Liquid Fertilizers

  • Sold as a liquid or in water-soluble powder.
  • Sprayed on the leaves or applied to the soil.
  • Easily percolates into the deeper layers of the soil with water.
  • Fast working, easily absorbed in the organic matter of the soil.

3. Slow-release Fertilizers

  • Sold as pellets.
  • Slowly absorbed in the deeper layers of the soil without shocking the plant.
  • It contains layers that can slowly deliver nutrients for 3-9 months, along with each watering session.
  • It can last more than a year in the soil (Spike Fertilizers).

Best Fertilizers for Jade Plant

Liquid feeds are the supreme fertilizers for Jade Plants as they rapidly supply nutrients throughout the short growing season.

But Jade Plants are sensitive to overfertilization, and incorrect fertilizer doses can severely injure the roots and leaves. 

So, to prevent a quick surge of fertilizer salts in the soil, you can opt for granular or slow-releasing fertilizers with well-adjusted NPK concentrations.

Commercial FertilizersAdvantages
EarthPods Organic Succulent Fertilizer Spike Capsules
Type: Spike Fertilizer
Less messier and effortless to apply

Easy to push the spike capsules into the soil
ENVY Professional Grade All Purpose Fertilizer
Type: Granular Fertilizer
Contains added micronutrients

Well-balanced NPK ratio for root, leaves, and flower development
Triple 10 All Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Type: Liquid Fertilizer
Blended with seaweed extracts and amino acids

Suitable for all the developmental stages of the plant
Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
Type: Liquid Fertilizer
Direct application to the soil in liquid form

Easily absorbed by the soil

Howard Johnsons Garden Food
Type: Granular Fertilizer
Suitable for every seasons

Releases slowly over the course of many months with watering
Succulent and Cactus Plant Food
Type: Liquid Fertilizer
Freely reaches the deeper soil layers after application

Promotes blooms and leaf growth
Succulent Fertilizer Spikes
Type: Spike Fertilizer
Easy detachable spikes that release nutrients all year-round

Feeds directly into the roots of the plant
Elm Dirt Plant Juice
Type: Liquid Fertilizer
Contains liquid blend of crucial growth promoting microbes

Supplemented by micronutrients

Tips on Fertilizing Jade Plant

Look below to learn about some mindful tips while fertilizing Jade Plants.

Image illustrates some basic tips to fertilize Jade Plants
To properly fertilize Jade Plants, stop feeding the plant in winter, water the plant before fertilizing, and leach the excess fertilizer salts using filtered or distillate water.

Unraveling Confusions on Jade Plant Fertilizers (FAQs)

Let’s answer some fertilizer-related queries for Jade Plants.

What Kind of Fertilizer is Good for Mature Jade Plants?

Mature Jade Plants need a balanced 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer in spring and summer. Dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth strength before adding it to the soil.

What is the Best Time of the Day to Fertilize Jade Plants?

Early morning or late evening is the proper time to fertilize the Jade Plants.

How to Add Compost for Jade Plants?

Take about a handful of compost and mulch with 1-2 inches of the topsoil to maintain the soil acidity and boost the soil with additional nutrients.

From Editorial Team

Caution! Avoid Overfertilization to Protect the Roots and Leaves of Jade Plants

To protect an overfertilized Jade Plant, try to leach away all the salts from the topsoil by running the plant under distillate or filtered water 4-5 times.
Simply change the soil when the plant suffers from leaf burns and maintain a seasonal fertilization schedule.

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