Saving a 40-Year-Old Heirloom Jade Plant

Saving a 40-Year-Old Heirloom Jade Plant

A reader inherited a massive, 40-year-old jade plant with three huge trunks. After moving to a home with only west-facing windows (previously south-facing where it bloomed), the plant began dropping leaves and developing mold spots. The nursery diagnosed it as environmental. The owner wiped mold with rubbing alcohol, added a grow light, and waters every 7–10 days. No root rot is present.

Expert Advice

• Light: Keep the grow light on 16+ hours daily, within 12 inches of the plant. An east window would be better than west.
• Watering: Reduce to every 14–21 days. Jades die from overwatering faster than underwatering.
• Mold Control: Spray Lysol in the air around (not on) the plant every two days while mold persists to kill airborne spores. Rubbing alcohol on leaves is safe but drying the soil is key.
• No Fungicide: Jades are highly sensitive to chemicals; avoid fungicides.

The combination of brighter light, significantly reduced watering, and air treatment should resolve the mold and leaf drop.