The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a hardy succulent native to South Africa, prized for its thick, glossy, oval-shaped leaves and low-maintenance nature. These leaves are designed to store water, allowing the plant to endure periods of drought. When a jade plant’s normally plump foliage begins to shrivel, wrinkle, or deflate, it signals the plant is under stress and that its internal water reserves are being depleted. This visible distress requires immediate investigation to determine the underlying cause and apply the correct restorative care.
Dehydration: When the Plant Needs Water
The most straightforward cause of shriveling foliage is simple dehydration from insufficient watering. A dehydrated jade plant will display leaves that look thin, wrinkled, and deflated, often starting with the older leaves closer to the base of the stem. The soil will be completely bone dry, frequently pulling away from the sides of the pot. In this state, the plant is drawing water from its own leaves to sustain its roots and stems.
To correct severe underwatering, a deep soaking method is more effective than a light top watering. Place the pot in a basin of water, allowing the water to wick up through the drainage holes until the top layer of soil becomes moist. This process ensures the entire root ball is thoroughly saturated, which can take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Within a few days, the leaves should absorb the moisture and return to their plump, firm state.
Root Failure: When the Plant Cannot Absorb Water
A counter-intuitive cause of shriveling is root rot, typically triggered by overwatering or poor drainage. When the roots sit in saturated, waterlogged soil for too long, they are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. As the root system fails, the plant loses its ability to draw up moisture, leading to dehydration symptoms—the leaves shrivel because the plant cannot access the water in the soil.
You can differentiate this from simple underwatering by checking the soil and the texture of the leaves and stems. The soil will feel wet or soggy, and the shriveling leaves may also appear yellow or mushy, rather than just wrinkled. The stem near the soil line may also feel soft, indicating that the rot has begun to spread upward into the main plant structure.
To intervene, unpot the plant and remove all saturated soil from the roots. Use sterile tools to trim away any roots that appear black, dark brown, or soft, leaving only the healthy, firm, white tissue. Allow the plant to air-dry for several hours to let the cuts callus over before repotting it in a fresh, dry, well-draining succulent soil mix.
Other Environmental Stressors
Beyond watering issues, the jade plant can shrivel in response to sudden or prolonged changes in its immediate environment.
Temperature Extremes
Extreme cold is damaging, as jade plants cannot tolerate temperatures below 40°F (4°C). Exposure can cause the leaves to become mushy and turn black. Conversely, sudden exposure to intense, direct midday sun can cause sunburn, leading to brown, scorched spots and shriveled leaves as water is lost too quickly. Drafts from heating or air conditioning vents can also cause rapid moisture loss and temperature shock.
Pests
Severe infestations of sap-sucking pests, such as mealybugs, contribute to leaf dehydration. These insects draw moisture and nutrients directly from the plant tissue, mimicking the effects of underwatering. If pests are the issue, they must be physically removed using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or treated with an insecticidal soap.
Ensuring Long-Term Plant Health
Preventing shriveling requires maintaining a stable environment that respects the plant’s natural succulent physiology. The ideal soil should be a coarse, gritty, well-draining succulent or cactus mix, often containing ingredients like perlite or pumice, to prevent water retention and promote aeration. The pot must have a functioning drainage hole, and a porous material like terracotta is often recommended because it helps wick excess moisture away.
Jade plants thrive in bright, indirect light, such as near a south- or west-facing window. Intense midday sun should be filtered to avoid scorching the leaves. Water should only be applied when the soil has completely dried out, which is less frequent during the cooler winter months. Consistent, deep watering followed by a period of complete dryness is the most reliable schedule for long-term health.