Jade Plant Leaf Pitting: Physical Damage, Not Disease

White pitted leaves and salt-like residue on 18-year-old jades moved outdoors for summer indicate physical damage, not pests or disease. Possible causes: water droplets on leaves, chemical spray drift, sudden temperature changes, intense direct sun, temps over 80°F, or outdoor pests chewing leaves.

What to Do

• Move plants back indoors to eliminate the cause.
• Damaged leaves won't recover, but new growth will be clean.
• Outdoor summer placement carries risks; indoor consistency is safer.

Jade plants (Crassula ovata) store water in leaves and stems; they need thorough drying between waterings. The white residue on soil may be mineral buildup from water.