I have a 20+ year old jade plant. What causes it to droop?

Question

It has a covered, northern exposure and gets ample water.

Answer 1

That may BE your answer. Jade plants are a succulent and need a bit more sun and a bit less water. Overwatering can often be a problem, especially if the drainage is poor and the roots are getting drowned. Is the plant pot-bound. This will cause the water to stay in the pot and choke the plant. Our instinct when we see a droopy plant is to water it well and this often leads to drowning. Always test the soil before assuming it needs water, or you can kill the poor thing with kindness.

Here is a quote:
The commonest problem is probably overwatering, sometimes coupled with a dark location on top of a filing cabinet or kitchen cupboard. In order to grow these Crassulas really well, one should remember their natural habitat on dry hillsides under the blazing South African sun. Rain there is infrequent and usually occurs during the winter months, which are generally much warmer than ours. Consequently, Jade plants will flower during the late winter. The flowers have a faint perfume like scented soap.

Location
A Jade plant needs very bright light to grow well and a sunny position if it is to flower. At the same time, good air circulation will help to avoid scorch on hot days and excessive humidity in cold wet weather. A plant should not be moved suddenly from a shady position into full sunshine, but needs to be acclimatised slowly, or damage to the leaves is likely. If this happens, the leaves will be dropped and replaced in time, so the damage is not permanent.

Jade plants will grow well outside as patio plants during the summer and their leaves will colour up in the sun, but remember to bring them indoors before the first frosts.

The plant will stop growing at temperatures much above 90°F. Jade plants will survive cold conditions to just above freezing if the soil is kept dry but must be kept frost free at all times. Cold night temperatures may help to promote flowering. (See right)

Watering
It is best to water thoroughly and then let the plant dry out between waterings. The plant needs water when its lower leaves become soft and in an exteme case become wrinkled. When water is given, these leaves will plump up again, a sign that all is well with the roots. Do not keep the soil moist all the time

Answer 2

midi is right...you need to crop off new growth after a while or it becomes too spindly and top heavy and will droop over...that reminds me..time to crop mine. When you do crop some off...let the cuttings sit about a week before replanting. Since it is 20 years old you probably also know this, but a jade plant shouldn't be over watered, they need more water than a cactus but usually a bit less than other house plants.

Answer 3

Maybe too much water, would look the same as if it were too dry. Hard to tel with out touching into the dirt befor eyou water it next.

Answer 4

Thin it out and fertilize it!

Answer 5

its old. please propogate and make new smaller plants.. these will not droop.