Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Poke your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Inspect the base of the stems for any signs of rot or mushiness.
- Observe the light levels in the current location.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves feel soft or mushy to the touch and may look translucent. You might also notice the stems near the soil line turning brown or squishy.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet for more than a few days, repot the plant into a fresh, well draining succulent mix.
Lack of Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn pale yellow or light green and the plant starts to stretch out. This happens when the plant cannot produce enough energy to maintain its foliage.
What to do: Move your jade to a spot that gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south facing window is usually the best place for them.
Find out what's wrong with your jade plant
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant grows. Worry if multiple leaves yellow at once or if the stem feels soft.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the soil is completely dry throughout the pot, which is usually every 14 to 21 days.
Jade plant: yellow leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your jade plant and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the yellow leaves?
- Yes, you can gently pull them off or snip them with clean scissors. This helps the plant focus its energy on healthy growth.
- Can yellow leaves turn green again?
- No, once a leaf has turned yellow, it will not return to green. It is best to remove it so the plant can grow new, healthy foliage.
More problems with Jade plant
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.