Wondering why your jade plant leaves are looking wrinkled and lackluster? You’re not alone! Many jade plant owners have asked the same question, “Why are my jade plant leaves wrinkled?”
Generally, incorrect water levels, poor drainage, insufficient nutrients, and excessive sunlight can all lead to jade leaf wilting.
In this article, we’ll go through the five common reasons why jade plant leaves are wrinkly. Thus, if your precious jade plant is looking less than great, keep on reading to find out how you can bring it back to life.
5 Reasons Why Jade Plant Leaves Wrinkle
Jade plants are succulents known for their ability to store water, exhibit fleshy leaves, and enjoy the sunshine. While these unique characteristics make them sturdy and straightforward to care for, there are a couple of reasons why they may be wrinkled.
1 – Lack of Water
Lack of water is among the primary triggers of wrinkled jade leaves. When your plant doesn’t get enough water, it’ll become dry, causing the leaves to shrivel up.
Here are some indicators to look out for:
- The soil is almost dry to touch
- The leaves look wilted and limp
- The stem is brittle and dry
- The plant stopped growing
To fix this problem, you can increase your watering routine frequency. Water your plant whenever the soil surface feels dry when touched.
Additionally, avoid overwatering them as it can also cause issues. Remember that jade plants like to be fully dry between waterings.
2 – Too Much Water
The jade plant is native to dry areas, and its roots are built to hold moisture for extended periods. As such, it doesn’t require constant watering.
Overwatering the soil can cause the roots to decay, reducing the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water.
Here are some signs that your jade plant is overwatered:
- Leaves are turning yellow
- Fungal growth on the soil or roots
- Branches are dropping by the dozens
- The primary trunk is very mushy or fragile
- Stems and leaves are rotting and dropping
- Withered leaves fail to regenerate after watering
To avoid overwatering, you may limit your watering schedule. You can also improve the pot drainage.
Ensure that extra water can easily flow out from the pot. Additionally, it’s critical to pick well-draining soil that allows water to flow freely through the pot.
Typically, repotting a jade plant in an oversized planter is a beginner mistake, which might result in the plant storing more water than required.
As a general rule, use a pot that’s slightly bigger than your plant’s root system.
3 – Lack of Sunlight
Another major cause of wrinkled jade plant leaves is the lack of sunlight. Jade plants require adequate sunlight to grow, and a lack of it can result in wrinkly leaves and a weak plant.
Thus, as an indoor plant, be sure to place it in an area where it’ll catch plenty of bright light, such as a south-facing window. Nevertheless, keep it out of direct sunlight.
4 – Pest Infestation
Scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids are some common pests that could attack your plant. By feeding on the sap, these bugs can cause major damage to the leaves, resulting in a wrinkled and warped look.
It’s important to spot these pests soon and do some damage control. To get rid of these bugs, spray the affected area with a soap and warm water solution.
Alternatively, you can use any insecticidal sprays specially made for indoor plant bugs.
Checking your plant for pest infestation regularly and removing the infested leaves promptly can help prevent further damage to your plant.
5 – Temperature
Temperature is crucial in sustaining the health of your jade plant. Extreme temperature changes might create stress on the plant, resulting in wrinkled leaves.
Between 65–75 °F is the ideal temperature for jade plants. Any major changes can cause thermal stress to the plant.
It’s crucial to protect your plants from snow and cold exposure throughout the wintertime. As such, we recommend keeping them far from air vents and drafts while maintaining a steady temperature.
On the other hand, heat stress might occur to your plant when they’re exposed to direct sunlight. This can happen when it’s kept near a heater or in direct sunlight over an extended period.
Ultimately, always keep your jade plant in a well-ventilated place and away from extreme temperature swings to prevent leaves from wrinkling.
Can Jade Plant Leaves Get Wet?
While jade plants are generally resilient, having consistent wet leaves can lead to many issues.
For starters, excessive moisture can hinder plants from absorbing essential oxygen and nutrients, which can cause them growth retardation and even root rot.
Furthermore, wet leaves can serve as a breeding ground for bugs and fungi, resulting in leaf damage and plant death.
To add, it’s recommended to water your plant indirectly to avoid wet leaves and possible harm. Pouring water into the soil and letting the plant absorb it through its roots is the best way to hydrate your jade plant.
Overall, in case the leaves got wet, ensure that the water on the leaves is thoroughly wiped away.
Final Thoughts
As demonstrated above, this article has answered the question: “Why are my jade plant leaves wrinkled?”
Jade plants may appear wrinkled and curled due to overwatering, underwatering, inadequate light, pest infestation, and drastic temperature changes.
By monitoring the condition of your plant and enforcing effective damage control, you can guarantee that it’ll remain healthy and vibrant for a long time.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.