Variegated Jade Plants symbolize good luck and wealth and their color is just the cherry on the cake so let’s learn how to maintain this boldness!
The variegated jade plant is a graceful shrub with lush foliage. The pattern of its leaves is the most interesting part and certainly why it is so popular. And to maintain the beauty of its foliage and patterns you need to know and follow some simple steps.
What is a Variegated Jade Plant?
The variegated jade, a color patterned-foliage succulent, is a slow-growing succulent shrub with vibrant green leaves with pink and light yellow stripes. It can reach heights of up to 4 feet. The upper leaves on the top have a pink edge, particularly when grown under direct sunlight.
The variegated jade plant is native to South Africa and is grown as a houseplant worldwide. The catchiest thing about the name is that the species name “ovata” means egg-shaped which refers to the thick, fleshy leaves.
Scientific Name: Crassula ovata ‘Variegata’
Variegated Jade Plant Pot Size
The Variegated Jade plant has a small root system and does not need a large pot. It does require well-drained, loamy potting soil and an indoor or outdoor location that receives bright light. Mostly it is best suited to being container-grown for indoor landscapes. Although, they also flourish outdoors in full sunlight to partial shade.
So, depending upon your choice of spot for it, you may select any pot size ranging from medium to large with a shallow bottom and drainage holes. Additionally, you can make bonsai trees from these plants by a certain method of pruning. And if you have such plans then a bonsai pot is your call.
How to Grow a Variegated Jade Plant?
To grow a Variegated Jade plant you will need a healthy sapling or stem cuttings. First of all, select a bright sunny spot for your plant. Wear a pair of gardening gloves and prepare a loose potting mixture similar to that of a succulent potting mix that contains sandy soil, husks, peat, pumice, or perlite, and some organic fertilizers accordingly. Then in the next step fill a medium-sized planter with the potting mixture and water it.
Lastly, plant your seedlings or stem cuttings carefully in the pot after the water drains out, and leave it in a bright spot under indirect sunlight. Keep it under indirect sunlight for a few days and then you can transfer your plant to the sunny spot you had selected.
Fact: Adding a small amount of fertilizer is important for the plant to maintain the colors of the leaves.
Care and Requirements to Maintain its Color
Generally, Jade plants are not high-maintenance plants although in the case of Variegated ones, the plant requires a minimum amount of care to maintain its varied color patterns and beauty. Let us discuss these factors in detail.
Sunlight
Variegated Jade plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight every day to maintain their vibrant colors and patterns. If your jade plant is not getting enough sun, it may start to lose its variegation and revert to its green form. So to maintain the color, sunshine is the key element for your Variegated Jade.
Fact: Variegated Jade plants don’t tolerate humidity very well, so make sure the spot for your plant is bright and sunny!
Fertilizer
A good potting mixture with nutrients like NPK is essential to maintain the vibrant colors of Variegated Jade plants. So, it is necessary to provide them with well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight simultaneously.
If you have any doubts regarding which fertilizer to use, go for organic fertilizers because they do not have any adverse effects. Moreover, in the case of organic fertilizers, you must fertilize your variegated Jade plant once every month.
Pruning
Variegated Jade plants or any other Jade plants require frequent pruning as they are foliage plants. This is also because their growth is comparatively faster than other succulents. Pruning also helps to maintain the proper health of the plant in terms of the colorful leaves and the cut stems can be used for further propagation.
Watering
Regular watering is fine but if your place is humid or temperate, then water according to the dryness of the soil. Because these plants do not tolerate humid conditions. Additionally in case if you are watering them regularly then it will cause root rot.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids, which can all damage the plant. If you see any of these pests, treat them with an insecticidal soap or neem oil. With proper care, your variegated jade plant will thrive for years to come!
So, bring a beautiful Variegated Jade plant to add beauty to your garden today! And let us know in the comments section how you are planning to decorate it, indoors or outdoors!
