What is the best potting soil for jade plants? I get asked this question so much that I finally decided to write a post about it.
So in this article you’ll find all you need to know about how to choose the perfect mix for Crassulas.
Jade plants are easy to care for, but they require a specific type of soil in order to thrive.
If you’re not careful about what kind of potting mix you choose, your jade plant might end up dying on you. Dun, dun, duuuun! (sounds scary, right?)
Well don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this detailed guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about jade plant soil – from what kind to use, to the properties to look for.
Heck, I’ll even give you my simple recipe and instructions if you want to try to make your own mix.
What Kind Of Soil Do Jade Plants Need?
When deciding what kind of soil to use for a jade plant, it’s important to understand that they are succulents. This means they hold water in their leaves.
Since they store their own water, they don’t like to be planted in any type that retains moisture. When it holds onto too much water, it will eventually cause major problems.
Choosing the right type is very important in order to prevent a host of issues, like overwatering and root rot.
It doesn’t matter what type of Crassula you have. Whether it be Gollum, Jitters, Ogre Ear, or Silver Dollar, they all require the same type of soil.
Related Post: How To Water A Jade Plant
The Best Soil For Jade Plants
The best soil for jade plants is a gritty, sandy mix that has good drainage. My top recommendations are one that is specifically made for cacti and succulents, or a nice coarse gritty mix.
While you certainly could use general purpose mix, I don’t recommend it. Especially for beginners.
General potting soil is usually filled with moisture-retentive ingredients that are not good for jades.
So what should you get instead? To help you find the best one, below are the main things to look for.
Fast Draining Soil
Read the label and look for one that says it is fast or well draining. If it says anything about being moisture retentive, then skip it.
Gritty, Sandy Or Rocky
Open the bag and take a look at the mix. It should mostly be made up of pieces of grit, sand, and small rocks.
If it looks more like rich dirt or compost, with no signs of sand or rock, then it’s not the right choice.
Porous Mix
Another keyword to look for on the package is “porous”. This means the soil will let the water run through it very quickly, which is exactly what you want for jades.
Jade Plant Soil pH
Though jade plants aren’t super fussy about the soil pH, ideally it should be slightly acidic. You can quickly and easily test yours with a pH probe, it should be around a 6 on the scale.
If it’s too alkaline, you can use a soil acidifier or add acidic fertilizer granules. Don’t mix in peat moss or similar, because it (you guessed it) holds too much moisture.
Related Post: Why Your Jade Plant Is Turning Red & What To Do About It
How To Make Potting Soil For A Jade Plant
If you want to try to make your own potting soil for jades, then this section is for you!
While there are lots of options of commercial brands on the market these days, it’s usually cheaper to make your own.
Plus you’ll have full control of what goes into it, and can measure and mix it to the exact consistency that you prefer. Here’s my recipe and instructions.
Related Post: How To Propagate Jade Plant Cuttings
Jade Plant Soil Mix Recipe
Here’s a list of what you’ll need. To measure my parts, I use a 1 gallon bucket. But you could use a measuring cup, large spoon, or a scoop – whatever you have on hand.
- 3 parts potting soil
- 2 parts coarse sand (or substitue with turface or poultry grit)
- 1 part perlite (or use pumice instead)
Mixing Instructions
Pour all of the ingredients into a bucket or potting tray. Then use a hand trowel or shovel to thoroughly stir it until all of the ingredients are evenly mixed together.
You can use it right away, or store it in a bucket with an airtight lid to save it for later.
Related Post: How To Prune A Jade Plant
Jade Plant Soil FAQs
Below I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about jade plant soil. If you can’t find yours here, please ask it in the comments section below.
Can jade plants grow in gravel?
Yes, jade plants can grow in gravel, and it’s very common for the ground to be made of it in their native habitat.
Though thick gravel isn’t ideal for use in containers, you can mix small bits into the potting soil to help increase drainage.
Is it OK to plant jades in regular potting soil?
Though it could work OK to plant jades in regular potting soil, it is not the best option.
General purpose mixes retain too much moisture, which means it’s very easy to overwater. Instead, I recommend buying a succulent and cactus mixture.
Can I use compost for jade plant?
I do not recommend using compost for a jade plant. It holds way too much moisture, and won’t drain fast enough for them. Look for a gritty or sandy mix instead.
Is sand good for jade plants?
Sand is good for jade plants because it helps the soil drain faster. Just make sure to use coarse sand rather than one that is very fine.
Is peat moss good for jade plant?
In general, peat moss is not good for jade plants because it holds too much moisture.
When it comes to jade plant soil, it’s super important to use the proper mix. Choosing the right potting soil will prevent many common problems, and give you the best chance for success.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More About Garden Soil
- How To Make Potting Soil For Indoor Plants
- How To Make Your Own Succulent Soil (With Recipe!)
- 7 Easy DIY Potting Soil Recipes To Mix Your Own
- How To Make Your Own Gritty Mix Potting Soil
- How To Make Your Own Cactus Soil Mix (With Recipe!)
- How To Choose The Best Plumeria Soil
- How To Choose The Best Snake Plant Soil
Share your tips for the best jade plant soil or your favorite recipe in the comments below!
Ervin Parker says
I have a Bonsai Jade that lost all the leaves when I brought it in for winter and placed it in my plant room.I have artificial grow lights and the room is kept between 70 and 80 degrees.The humidity is at about 75.Can you advise anything I can do to get leaves growing again.I thought I might repot it. Any ideas?
Amy Andrychowicz says
When jade plants drop their leaves, it usually means you’re either over or under watering. Check the soil to see how wet or dry it is. In the winter, it should be bone dry before you water again. But never so dry that the soil pulls away from the inside of the pot or becomes hard. Check out my post about how to properly water jade plants for more details. If it’s been in the same pot for a very long time, and it’s root-bound, then yes, I would pot it up this spring to give it more room for growth. Good luck!
laurelconnelly (formerly a Mpls girl) says
I do not have any succulent soil on hand and need to pot up some babies. Can I mix african violet soil with vermiculite and perlite. Was thinking of adding some saved pistachio shell\s as well. I tried to buy succulent soil this week and the one they had was not “rocky” at all. That is what I had wanted so skipped it, but see where these babies need to be reportted today. I don’t have any sand on hand
Amy Andrychowicz says
There’s no rush to repot your jades, they can stay in the same pot a long time. So it would be ideal if you could wait until you can buy all of the ingredients you need to make the proper soil for them. However, you could use the African violet soil as a base to make your jade plant soil if that is your only option, but definitely don’t add vermiculite to it as that retains too much water. AV soil is already made to be water retentive, and you don’t want to add even more to it. I would mix extra perlite into it to make it more porous, though adding sand as well would be ideal. I’ve never tried using nut shells, so I can’t speak to that.