Why is my Jade plant turning purple? This is the question that concerns many people. When this plant starts to change the color of its leaves, it can be a concerning situation. The plant is trying to communicate its needs by changing the color and is giving a signal that it needs to be taken care of. Let’s quickly answer: Why are jade plant leaves turning purple?
Stress causes the Jade leaves to turn purple mainly when there is a sudden temperature change, too much sun exposure, or lack of light. The plant releases a chemical named anthocyanin and changes its color to protect itself in these conditions.
Jade plants are low maintenance plants, they do not need much care. Sometimes these plants need your attention and care. They mainly turn purple whenever they are stressed. Some gardeners stress them intentionally to make plants attractive.
It is okay to stress them a little bit but this should be only if you are experienced otherwise you can damage the plant. In this article let’s understand what are the reasons for Jade plant leaves turning purple.
10 Reasons why jade plant leaves turn purple
Just like every other succulent, Jade plants also need similar care to help them grow healthy. When the plant starts to turn purple, this can be due to the following reasons.
1. Due to sudden change in temperature
Jade plants do not like sudden changes in their environmental temperature. If you change their surroundings suddenly that can harm the plant.
When Jade plants are exposed to too much cold or heat they start to change their color to purple. These sudden temperatures are something that Jade plants do not like.
These beautiful plants should be gradually exposed to a new climate. When the climate changes from winter to summer, do not expose them directly to sunlight.
Make sure to keep them under the cloth shed and slowly expose them to the sun. This will ensure they gradually adapt to new temperatures.
Also, avoid placing them in front of air coolers during summer and avoid placing them in front of heaters during winter. This type of sudden temperature change can damage the Jade plant.
2. Sun stress
Sun stress is the most common reason for the Jade plant turning purple. Jade plants do not grow well in direct sunlight; they need to be exposed to the sun indirectly.
They do great when they get a bright and indirect light source. Most of the time, we tend to expose them to direct sun for too long, which causes sunburns on the plant’s leaves.
To protect themselves from harmful sun rays these plants produce a chemical called Anthocyanins. It acts as a sunscreen to them and turns the Jade plant purple.
Therefore, you must avoid placing them under direct sun, avoid placing them in windows or at a place where they can get directly exposed to the sun. Instead, give them in direct sunlight and that will prevent them from turning purple, red, or yellow.
3. Lack of light
As mentioned earlier Jade plants like bright light and they do well in it, when they do not get enough light, Jade plants produce Anthocyanins to increase photosynthesis and turn purple.
This can sound too scientific, to sum it up in simple words, it’s just that they lack food in a low-light environment so they produce food to help them thrive. During this process, they turn purple.
To avoid this make sure to keep the Jade plant in bright light or indirect light. If you live in a region where it is impossible to expose them to indirect sunlight, then place them under the artificial lights or grow lights (you can buy them from Amazon). You must give jade plants at least 6 hours of bright light daily to keep them healthy.
Disclaimer:
I am not an affiliate to Amazon just sharing my own experience.
4. Underwatering the Jade Plant
Jade plant leaves turn purple when they are not watered correctly. You must have a great watering schedule for them. Just like any other succulents these plants also do not like to be watered at a low frequency.
That causes the underwatering in the plant, its leaves start wilting and dry. Underwatering can harm the Jade and their leaves start to change their color. To avoid watering issues, use the soak and dry method.
In the soak and dry method, you need to water the plant only when the soil is completely dry. This will help you understand the water requirements of the Jade plant and will help them grow healthy and beautiful.
5. Pots with drainage hole
When you have a poor drainage system, the leaves of the Jade plant turn soggy and change their color. This happens when the plant sits in water for a long period, due to this plant cannot breathe and roots will not get oxygen.
That invites fungal infections and can cause root rots. Therefore, it is important that you have pots that have drainage holes underneath. That will help to flush away all the excess water from the pot to avoid overwatering.
6. Not having fast-draining soil
Having good quality fast-draining soil is just like having a good home for the Jade plant. Fast draining soil dries way faster by flushing away all the excess water and retains just a sufficient amount of water that is needed for the plant.
This type of soil avoids the overwatering issue as well. You must avoid any stress in them, as that is harmful. Keep the Jade plant in fast-draining soil and grow them beautifully.
7. It is their natural process
Sometimes, these plants tend to turn purple naturally due to their biological nature. But this happens very rarely among the Jade plants. The original color of the leaves is green.
But the tips of the leaves can have purple, red color, which is very normal for any succulent to have. If your Jade also has this type of purple color then there is no need to be concerned. Just let them grow and keep them well maintained.
8. Pest Attacks
Jade plants are not that prone to pest attacks but sometimes Mealybugs can attack them. These bugs are contagious and can spread rapidly, if one of your plants has mealybug infestation then there are high chances that it can spread to all the other plants as well.
Therefore, isolate the plant immediately and apply pesticides. Not just mealybugs many other bugs like spider mites can attack the jade plant and can damage them.
When the plant is already stressed and pest attacks them, leaves start to change their color. Consider applying alcohol-based pesticides on the plants to get rid of the infestation.
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9. Poor Nutrition
When the Jade plant leaves turn reddish-purple it is a sign of poor nutrition to them. Mostly Jade plants turn purple when they lack phosphorus.
Soil is not capable of providing all the essential nutrients that a plant needs to grow healthy. Therefore, it is important to fertilize them frequently so that the plant can get added nutrients.
It is recommended to buy organic fertilizers as they do not harm the plants. The chemical-based fertilizers cause stress in plants and should be avoided. If you want to know more about fertilizing succulents make sure to visit:
10. Root rots or fungal infections
It is important to keep an eye on the root system of the succulents or in this case Jade plants. If there is any root rot then the plant can turn purple.
You must frequently check the roots and look for any white clumps and black roots. As a succulent grower, you must understand these signals.
Also, do not overwater the plant and have good drainage that avoids root rot. Do not re-pot them too often, that can cause stress in the plant especially in the mature Jade plants. Make sure that roots are just below the top layer and are well inside the soil, that will ensure that they are getting nutrients.
In case of fungal infection, succulents turn purple. Fungal infection is the worst thing that can happen to any plant. To save the plant from the fungus you must catch it early and treat the plant. In such situations, early detection is the key. Apply fungicides on the infected part till the infection is gone.
Final Thoughts
Jade plant leaves turn purple mainly when the plant is stressed in any way. It is important that you take care of them and understand their requirements. Have a correct watering schedule and do not change their environment suddenly.
The stressed plant can be treated and should be taken care of according to its needs. Jade plants do not need much attention and are super easy to grow.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any queries make sure to leave a comment. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Planting!!
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