Jade Plants are tough and attractive succulents that thrive in containers. I’ve grown them both indoors and outdoors and they’re as easy maintenance as it comes. This tells you when and how to repot Jade Plants, as well as what kind of soil would work best.
In my garden in Santa Barbara, I grew a lot of different kinds of jade plants, both in pots and in the ground. Now that I live in Tucson, the few Jades I have grow in pots. The ones you can buy, like the classic Crassula ovata, do well as houseplants as long as they are in a spot with moderate to high light.
NOTE: I’m repotting my Variegated Jade Plant here. This post and video have all the steps and mix that can be used for any other type of Jade Plant.
Jade plants, with their thick green leaves and tree-like structure, are a popular houseplant choice appreciated for their longevity and minimal care needs However, one critical factor for keeping jades thriving is using the right potting mix. Selecting an appropriate soil blend provides the drainage, aeration, and moisture retention these succulents require.
Read on for tips on creating custom soil mixes to meet the needs of your jade plant,
Why Soil Mix Matters
Jade plants are native to arid regions of South Africa and Mozambique. In their natural habitat, they grow in free-draining, sandy soils. Replicating these conditions in cultivation prevents common problems like root rot.
A dense, moisture-retentive potting mix causes roots to remain soggy, making them prone to fungal infections. On the other hand, a soil blend that dries out too quickly stresses the plant.
The key is finding the sweet spot – a mix that drains adequately but still holds some moisture and nutrients. This encourages strong root development and healthy growth.
Desired Properties of Jade Plant Soil
Some traits to look for in an ideal jade plant potting mix:
- Excellent drainage and aeration
- Moderate moisture retention
- Stays loose, doesn’t compact over time
- Slightly acidic pH between 6.0-6.5
- Contains some organic matter for nutrients
Basic Ingredients for DIY Mixes
These basic components can be blended to create an appropriate potting soil:
- Potting soil or compost – Provides nutrition and moisture retention
- Coarse sand, pumice, or perlite – Lightens texture, improves drainage
- Peat or coco coir – Enhances water holding capacity
Avoid using heavy garden soil which compacts and retains too much water.
5 DIY Soil Mix Recipes for Jades
Here are some homemade blends you can whip up:
1. Basic Jade Mix
- 3 parts potting soil
- 2 parts coarse sand
- 1 part perlite
2. Fast Draining Mix
- 2 parts cactus soil
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part pumice or lava rock
3. Nutrient-Rich Mix
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part compost
- 1 part perlite or vermiculite
4. Soilless Mix
- 2 parts perlite
- 2 parts coco coir
- 1 part horticultural charcoal
5. Acidic Mix
- 2 parts peat moss
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part sand
Thoroughly blend ingredients when dry. Moisten before potting plants.
Tips for Mixing Your Own
- Use sterile components to prevent disease
- Mix in a large container for even blending
- Wear a mask when handling dry peat or coir
- Start with small batches and adjust as needed
Ready-Made Commercial Mixes
Pre-made cactus and succulent mixes offer convenience while still meeting jade’s requirements:
-
Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Mix – Contains sand, perlite, and peat moss
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Espoma Cactus Mix – Features peat, perlite, peat humus, and Myco-tone mycorrhizae
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Superfly Bonsai Succulent and Cactus Soil – Made from pine bark, zeolite, lava rock, and pumice
-
Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Mix – Comprised of peat moss, perlite, limestone, and sand
No need to amend further if drainage seems adequate.
Potting Tips for Repotting Jades
- Select a container 2-4 inches wider than the root ball
- Gently loosen bound roots before placing in pot
- Pack soil around base and avoid burying the stem
- Water well until it drains from the bottom after potting
Maintaining Ideal Soil Conditions
To keep soil mixes performing their best:
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings
- Apply liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer
- Repot every 2-3 years using fresh soil
- Top dress annually with worm castings or compost
- Watch for signs of compaction, poor drainage or pests
Paying attention to the potting mix sets your jade plant up for success. Follow recipes for blends that offer the right balance of drainage and moisture retention. Be sure to use sterile, high-quality ingredients for optimal results. With the proper soil environment, your jade will continue growing happily for years to come.
Frequency of Entities:
soil mix: 22
jade plant: 18
drainage: 12
moisture: 9
potting soil: 8
sand: 7
perlite: 7
water: 6
roots: 5
soil: 5
peat: 4
coir: 4
pumice: 3
compost: 3
coarse: 3
Soil Mix to Use When Repotting Jade Plants
Since jade plants are succulents, they need a mix that drains well and lets air flow through it so the roots can breathe. You want the water to flow out freely so the mix and roots doesn’t stay too wet. The leaves and stems of Jades store water so the mix needs to dry out in between waterings.
I want to share this DIY succulent and cactus mix recipe with you. There’s always a batch of it ready to go because I have so many succulents. There are a couple of options of mixes that you can buy below.
I planted my Variegated Jade in a ceramic pot with one drain hole (love that cool copper/bronze pot!). A plastic grow pot like the one below has many drain holes that make it easier for the water to leave.
Because there was only one drain hole, I added some things I normally wouldn’t have to make sure no water builds up at the bottom. I’ll list these in parentheses below because you may not need them.
- (Clay pebbles). I put 1/2 to 1 inch of these at the bottom of the pot.
- (Charcoal). This not only helps the drainage, but it also soaks up waste. This is great because the plant goes right into the ceramic.
- Succulent & cactus mix. This is a good choice, and this is a cheaper one.
- Pumice. It had one drain hole, so I added a handful of this. When you buy a succulent,
- Worm compost & compost. I added a bit of these in for natural nourishment. You can see the amounts I added in the video. Here’s how I naturally feed my houseplants with this combo.
What Type of Pot to Use
I’ve found that the type of pot doesn’t matter when it comes to repotting Jade Plants. Jades do well in grow pots, terra cotta, fiberglass, resin, concrete, or ceramics.
Steps to take
I watered the Jade about 14 days before the repotting. I generally like to keep succulents on the dry side when repotting them.
Loosen the rootball from the pot. I was easily able to get the plant out of the pot by pressing on the grow pot. It pulled right out. If your rootball is stubborn to come out, you can other methods of removal in this guide.
Put enough of the mix into the pot so that the rootball’s top is level with or just above the pot’s top. The mix is very light, and the plant’s weight will make it sink a little over time.
This is where I added in a couple of handfuls of compost.
Fill in with mix around the rootball. To get the heavy plant to stand up straight in the light mix, I pressed down on the sides of the mix to make it hard. Add more mix if necessary.
I topped it with a 1/4″ layer of worm compost.
Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides For Your Reference:
Check out this video of me repotting my Jade Plant:
My Jade Plant will get used to the new soil mix for seven days. I will not water it until then. I put the plant back where it was, in a bright spot that gets a lot of natural light.
Jades, like most succulents, are very easy to care for. As long as it stays warm, I’ll water this plant once a month. In the winter, I’ll do it every two months.
Best Soil for Succulents & Cacti – Bonsai Jack Gritty Mix or Miracle Gro Succulent Soil
FAQ
What do you repot a jade plant in?
Do jade plants like big or small pots?
Can I use cactus soil for jade plant reddit?
How to make homemade fertilizer for jade plant?
What is the best soil for jade plants?
The best soil for jade plants is a mix that ensures excellent drainage while providing adequate aeration for the roots. A commonly recommended soil mix includes potting soil combined with coarse sand or perlite. This combination allows water to flow through the soil easily, preventing the roots from sitting in water, which can lead to root rot.
How to grow jade plant?
Growing soil for jade plant should be well-drained to avoid water logging issue, also able to lock required moisture. A succulent specific soil is preferred to grow jade plant. You can buy potting soil from store or make your own potting mix for jade plant at home. Add some perlite, if you’re using all purpose potting mix.
What is the best potting mix for jade plants?
The best potting mix for jade plants is a mixture of sand and soil for succulents or cacti. This mix can be 50/50 giving a good drainage capacity. If you don’t want to buy succulent or cactus soil from a nursery, you can swap it out for any soil with some organic matter.
Where can I buy potting soil for jade plants?
Get the FoxFarm potting soil on Amazon and at Walmart. After reviewing many different soils for jade plants, we recommend the Espoma African Violet Potting Mix for its well-draining formula, acidity boosters, and relatively affordable price.
Can you use cactus potting soil to grow jade plant?
Yes, you can use cactus potting soil to grow jade plant. Cactus potting mix is a combination of potting soil, perlite and coir. You can make your own cactus potting soil mix at home or get it from nursery. 5 parts of potting soil, 2 parts of pumice and 1 part of coir can be used to make your own potting mix soil.
Can jade plants grow in clay soil?
The most important point regarding the soil is that it must drain quickly. Well-drained soils must contain a certain amount of granular material, such as sand, in their composition. Never plant a jade plant in clay soil, they retain water for a long time. A 50/50 mix of clay soil and sand may be a better option.