The jade plant, also called a lucky plant or money tree, is endemic to the regions of Southern Africa. This succulent is a common houseplant with small pink or white flowers. Like most succulents, it is easy to care for and needs minimal attention.
However, if you notice jade plant leaves turning black you need to act on the situation to save the plant from dying.
Jade plant leaves turning black: What are the causes?
Below are the common reasons for jade plant leaves turning black:
1. The plant could be heat-stressed.
Too much direct sunlight could put your jade plant at risk of getting burned or becoming heat-stressed. If your jade plant is planted outdoors, use a shade cloth during heat waves or if it is placed in a spot where there is too much full sun. You may also opt to place it indoors and use a grow lamp for lighting without the risk of sunburn.
2. The plant may be overwatered.
Another reason the leaves are turning black could be due to overwatering. In this case, the leaves tend to shrivel and fall off because of rotted roots. The leaves may also curl, along with other issues such as the roots having an odor or dark roots.
If this happens, you can still save your jade plant by transplanting any healthy stem that may remain. However, if the roots are already brown and soft, they are useless and should be removed completely.
To avoid overwatered plants, make sure to water them only when the soil is already dry. Use a mix of cactus and succulent soil along with some perlite to achieve well-draining soil. Soil that is too sandy retains water longer than required and may lead to root rot.
Tips on watering jade plants
Here are some tips on how to water your jade plants:
- Water the plants at the base instead of from above, as watering from above could increase the risk of the leaves turning black due to reduced transpiration.
- Water the plants early in the morning when the soil has dried out, as this allows them to lose excess water through their leaves during the day and regulate moisture levels appropriately. Watering at night-time when the plants are dormant could leave the roots sitting in wet soil, thus increasing the risk of black leaves and root rot.
- Reduce watering during wintertime since succulents are dormant at this time and only need to be watered about once a month.
- See to it that the pots have good drainage holes so water does not remain stagnant.
- Place the plants in full sun in a breezy location, with well-draining gritty soil to replicate their native growing conditions.
- Cut off any black leaves and stems to prevent the spread of rot.
3. The plant may have a fungal disease or infection.
Plants that are grown in areas with high humidity are more prone to fungal infections than those grown in dry locations. You will know that the problem is due to fungus if there are more black spots rather than the leaves turning black.
An effective solution for fungal disease or infection is to treat your affected plants with fungicide and quarantine them so the infection does not spread to other plants. Disinfect the gardening tools that you used for the infected plants.
4. The plant may be infested with pests.
Pest infestation could affect the color and health of your plant’s leaves. Spider mites, mealybugs and aphids could destroy your plants since they feed on the plant’s leaves. Affected jade plants will most likely develop white spots before the leaves turn black. To remove them, wipe the leaves with a mixture of alcohol and water on a cotton swab or in a spray bottle. Neem oil is also effective at removing these destructive pests.
Conclusion
Blackening jade plant leaves are unpleasant to look at but also endanger the health of your plants. Common reasons for this could be overwatering or exposure to too much heat or sun; it may also be due to fungal infections or pest infestation.
Image: istockphoto.com / Andrey Nikitin