If you have a less-than-green thumb but still want to bring more life into your home, perhaps a simple jade plant would be suited for your needs. It’s surprisingly simple to keep this succulent alive once you learn the basics. Erin Marino is a former marketing director of The Sill. She shared her knowledge on how to take care of jade, like an expert horticulturist. Let’s start by learning a bit more about the origins of this plant.

What is a jade plant?

The jade plant has existed in Africa for many years. Its small, round and fleshy leaves have a low surface area, which helps to keep the water inside. The result: This is a great houseplant for people who forget to water them regularly.

Marino explains that this plant uses a photosynthesis process called CAM. It opens its pores only at night, meaning that it can store a lot more water during the day. This makes it drought-resistant.

How to care for a jade plant

Caring for a jade is not difficult. These tips will help you create a stunning indoor succulent.

Give it Sunlight (Lots of)

Make sure your jade plant receives plenty of sun. Marino warns that this plant won’t thrive in the darkest corner of the living room.

Plant jade near windows. When the edges of your leaves turn red, you can tell that your jade plant has a happy disposition.

Avoid Over-Watering

When the leaves of a succulent begin to wrinkle, water it. But not too much. Marino says that over-watering a succulent will kill it quickly.

Because succulents can hold water, you should avoid letting them sit in excessively moist soil or water. Before watering, check if the soil is dry on the top 1-2″ of the plant. You’ll probably water your jade every two to three weeks.

Select the Right Soil Mixture

Use caution when planting jade indoors. Jade plants prefer arid environments, so avoid soils that retain moisture. You can use potting soil that is specifically designed for succulents. However, you can also choose a version of the mix with drier material to aid drainage.

Repot when necessary

The jade plant’s roots are shallow. If you want to repot it, do not place it in a large container. This will prevent water from reaching the roots.

Marino says, “Remember that the nutrients will be depleted after one year. You may want to fertilize the soil in the spring or summer.” Then, every two to three years, you can report. The root system will have outgrown the container if the plant begins to push out.

Follow these steps to report jade plants:

1. Trimming the plant. Remove any damaged, dry or dead plant tissue. It will help prevent damage to the plant when moving it.
2. Remove the plant from the pot. Gently remove your jade from its pot. Holding the plant at the base of the stems, loosen the rootball and slide it off the pot.
3. Prune root. Before repotting, you can prune long roots. Remove any extra soil you don’t wish to put in the new pot.
4. Add soil to the pot. Pour about an inch of the potting mix into the pot. Choose a well-drained and aerated mixture.
5. Put the plant in the pot. Place your jade in its new pot, and then fill it with the potting mix.
6. Add soil. Holding the plant upright, fill the pot with soil. Press down the soil mixture to fill in any gaps.

After repotting, avoid watering the jade plant, as its roots will be fragile. Wait at least one week before watering.

Bring Outside for Flowers

This succulent must grow and mature for several years before it can bloom. If you keep jade plants outside and live in an area with cool nights and warm days, they will produce flowers. Unfortunately, these temperature changes can’t be achieved indoors.

You can also place jade outside during the summer. It is best to give jade plants morning or evening sunlight rather than intense afternoon sun. Jade plants are susceptible to sunburn. The leaves can burn, and the plant may die.

Jade thrives in tropical climates, so avoid placing it outdoors during the colder months. Jade plants thrive best between 65 and 90°F.

Propagate Jade Plants

If you want to reduce your jade plant, trim the clippings to create new plants. Let the clippings be callous (this can take a few weeks), then plant them in soil and water sparingly.