Question
Hi Will,

I have recently acquired a Jade plant and have heard many different opinions of how to get your Jade to bloom in the winter.  I believe that my plant is relatively young.  Currently it sits in about a 5" pot and is only about 6" tall.  I wanted to see if you have any tips or suggestions that you feel work best to get these plants to bloom.  I have also read that younger plants may not bloom right away and wanted to see if this was true and when I could expect to see blooms on this plant.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Niki,

Anyone who claims to know how to get a Jade to flower reliably doesn抰 really know what they are talking about. So I will not add to that list by pretending to have the answer.

Jades flower sporadically at best so it is best not to expect them to flower but be pleasantly surprised when it does happen.

Some factors that may encourage flowering are age, a tight pot, lots of direct sun and a winter semi-dormancy period. Typically, only older plants that have been in the same pot for many years will flower. Keep yours on your sunniest windowsill and in the winter keep temps as cool as possible and water only when some leaves start to shrivel just a bit. But even if you do all of that, there is no guarantee that you will get flowers.

Now you know why Jades are not sold as flowering plants!

I have written an article on Jade care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC