What to Do With a Jade Plant in March – These 4 Care Tasks Will Boost Spring Growth

Jade plants are popular houseplants and can live 50 years or longer if properly cared for. These plucky succulent plants are native to South Africa and Mozambique but bring endless charm to houseplant collections all over the world. They are associated with growth, luck, and prosperity. All good things to carry us through the year!

Proper care of jade plants includes changing care habits throughout the year as their growth patterns shift. Cooler, shorter days in winter mean reducing watering and being more hands-off. But in March, jades begin to leave dormancy and enter their active growth stage. It is important to pay attention to this shift and adjust care accordingly.

Here is what to do with a jade plant in March to set it up for healthy growth this spring and summer.

1. Prune

Jade plants can get leggy through the fall and winter as they stretch for sunlight. March is a good time to prune a jade plant to keep it looking healthy and well-shaped. Jades also have a tendency to become top heavy as they continue to grow, so this can also be remedied with a nice pruning. Any shriveled or dead branches should also be pruned.

When pruning your jade plant, use sterilized pruning tools to avoid transferring any pests or disease to the plant. It is also good to ensure your shears or snips are sharp so the cuts are clean and the plant stem doesn’t get crushed and damaged. These ergonomic pruning shears from Modern Sprout, through Amazon, are made from carbon steel for long-lasting sharpness (and they’re pretty cute, too!) When you trim a jade plant, two new branches will grow from where it was cut, so it will become thicker and bushier.

2. Increase Water

The increases in sunlight and temperature through March send your jade plant into its active growing season. With active growth, comes more demand for water. Water your jade plant when the top inch of soil is dry and be sure to not to let it be dry for more than a day during the spring and summer months. You can also use a simple moisture meter like this one from Amazon to keep an eye on things below the surface of the soil.

Jades enjoy consistent watering during this phase, but make sure the soil doesn’t stay soggy. A well-draining soil mix will keep the right balance of water so your jade will thrive. A succulent mix works well.

3. Fertilize

When you begin to see new growth on your jade plant in March, it is time to start a fertilizing regimen. Jade plants like a balanced fertilizer diluted in water applied every other month. The spring and summer growing season increases the need for nutrients and regular fertilizing will help your jade plant produce strong new growth and maybe even some flowers next winter!

Dilute a water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer to half or a quarter before applying to slightly moist soil. This Miracle-Gro succulent plant food, available from Amazon, is a great fertilizer for your jade plant and will help boost new growth.

4. Repot

Jade plants typically outgrow their pots within a year or two, and March is the perfect time to repot them. Jades are good growers and tend to get top heavy as they mature, so repotting will help give them some room and make sure they don’t topple over.

Choose a container that is no more than 2 inches (5 cm) larger than the root ball of the jade plant and has a drainage hole so it doesn’t become waterlogged. It’s also a good idea to choose a pot that has some heft to it so the plant is less likely to tip over. For a smaller jade plant, a 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) diameter pot like this handcrafted Bergs pot from Magnolia is the perfect fit.

Use a well-draining succulent potting mix and a little compost to set your repotted jade up for success. Miracle-Gro succulent mix, available from Amazon, is specially formulated for succulents and their needs.

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