what is the ideal soil mixture for a jade plant?

Question

I bought some Cactus mix (Shultz's) from the store and have found that it is very hard to get the water to soak in once it dries. I know the soil is supposed to be well draining, but soil that won't even soak any water up can't be the right type. Why does it do this and what should I mix with it or use instead?

Answer 1

I recommend that you use a sterile, commercial potting soil, Jade plants grow best in soil mixtures that contain 50% Organic Matter, most Commercial Potting Soils supply this. - OR - Use a good inexpensive potting soil, and then Heat It, In Your Microwave, or Oven, till the temperature reaches 180 Degrees, (This will kill any and all insects, weeds & weed seeds). The soil mixture is not critical and any general houseplant compost is really basically okay, to use. However, Jade does like Sandy or Coarse soil. Some say, the best mixture is 4-parts Loam & 1 part each of sand and broken brick. You can also use things like:
*Stones, *Gravel, *Course Sand, etc.

Jade plants, hold extra moisture in their leaves, so you'll want to add extra perlite to the mixture for drainage.

The plants store water in the leaves and stems, not in the soil. Too much water can harm or even kill a jade plant. I recommended that you should only water when the leaves feel dried out, or slightly before.

Answer 2

My cactus soil does this as well. I let the water sit on top for a minute then when it soaks in I water it again. This time the water will soak in easily. When the soil completely dries out the top gets hard and forms a dry layer that has to be re-moisturized to absorb water. It's like in the desert when they get too much rain all at once. The top of the soil is to dry to absorb the water so it just runs off without soaking in and can cause flooding from the run off. The same thing happens anywhere that has had a severe hot and dry spell. The cactus soil will work just fine if your willing to be a little patient with the water absorption. I know your plant will appreciate it. Enjoy the Jade Plant!!!

Answer 3

I've seen jade plant in some of the worst soil ever. The danger is when it rots from being too wet, but even that has to be extreme to happen.

You have what's called surface tension. To disrupt surface tension you can:

1)soak the root area in a bucket of water.
2)use warm water to water the plant with(not hot!)
3) use liquid dishwashing soap with the water.
4) Don't wait so darn long in between waterings.

You should see bubbles coming out of the container when you are being successful, but you have to keep the pot flooded in order to see that happen. A water wand with a non adjustable head is best for that.

If you are n doubt about a young jade plant's survival, make a cutting before you transplant it and make sure that it roots successfully before tranplanting. If you lose the main plant, at least the whole thing will not be lost. If you don't need the cutting after the transplant, throw it away or give it away. Some people like those things. (Just don't give it to me! lol)

Answer 4

The ideal soil mixture is cactus soil and bark.

Answer 5

jade needs a succulent mix, use 50% potting soil and 50% sand
water should run straight through when you water your plant
do not allow plant to stand in any water and only water when dry
about 2in below surface