This is, by far, the most common and fatal error. Humans often equate care with watering, but for a Jade plant, this is a death sentence. My succulent leaves and stems are designed to store vast amounts of water, allowing me to thrive in arid conditions. When you water me on a strict schedule, especially during my dormant period in winter, my delicate, fibrous roots are forced to sit in saturated soil. They cannot breathe and begin to rot. This rot spreads unseen up my stem, often only becoming apparent when my leaves become squishy and drop, or my entire structure collapses. I need a "soak and dry" method: water me thoroughly until it runs from the drainage hole, then leave me completely alone until my soil is bone-dry deep into the pot.
Placing me on a dim office desk or a far corner of a north-facing room is a slow, cruel punishment. I am a sun-worshipper by nature. In my native habitat, I bask in bright, direct light for hours. Without at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily (a south or west-facing window in the US is ideal), I begin to etiolate. This means my stems become long, weak, and leggy as I desperately stretch toward any available light source. My growth will be sparse, and the rich, green color of my leaves will fade. Without adequate light, I simply cannot photosynthesize properly and will never achieve my full, tree-like potential or produce those lovely clusters of star-shaped white or pink flowers.
Planting me in dense, moisture-retentive potting soil, perhaps something meant for ferns or vegetables, is like being trapped in perpetual wet cement. This heavy medium retains water for far too long, exacerbating the root rot problem. I require a sharply draining, gritty environment that mimics my natural rocky terrain. A specialized succulent or cactus mix is perfect. Even better, you can amend a standard potting mix with a large proportion of perlite, coarse sand, or pumice (a 50:50 mix is a good start). This ensures that water flows through quickly, delivering hydration to my roots without drowning them, and allows crucial oxygen to reach them.
While I appreciate a slight drop in temperature at night, I am extremely sensitive to cold. I am not frost-hardy. A common mistake is leaving me outside too late in the fall or placing me near a drafty window during a harsh US winter. Temperatures dipping below 50°F (10°C) will cause me significant stress. A freeze will cause catastrophic cell damage, turning my leaves and stems to mush. Always bring me indoors well before the first frost threat. Keep me away from both cold drafts from doors/windows and from blasting hot air vents, as extreme temperature fluctuations are also very stressful.
While I don't mind being slightly pot-bound and can thrive in the same pot for years, there is a limit. An owner's fear of repotting can lead to my downfall. When I become severely root-bound, my roots form a tight mass that can no longer effectively absorb water or nutrients, even if they are present. This can paradoxically cause symptoms that look like underwatering (wilting, shriveled leaves) because the roots are too congested to function. Furthermore, the soil structure breaks down over time, becoming compacted and less draining. Repotting me into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining soil every two to three years in the spring is not a disruption; it is a vital refreshment that allows me to continue growing strong and healthy for decades.
