How to Treat Fungus on Jade Plant: Signs, Causes, Solutions

Have you noticed odd spots on your jade plant lately? Maybe the leaves aren’t as plump as they used to be? You might be dealing with a fungal problem. Don’t worry—I’ve been there too! Fungus on jade plants is common but fixable with the right care.

Jade plants are tough little buddies that can live for years. But even these sturdy plants can get sick. Fungal issues pop up due to too much water, poor air flow, or dirty tools. The good news? You can fix most fungal problems at home with simple steps.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to spot fungus on your jade plant, why it happens, and step-by-step fixes to get your plant healthy again. Plus, I’ll share tips to stop the problem from coming back. Let’s give your jade plant the care it needs to thrive!

What Is a Jade Plant?

First, let’s talk about what makes jade plants so special. Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are succulents from South Africa. They have thick, round leaves that look like jade stones—hence the name! These plants are also called money plants or lucky plants in some places.

Jade plants can live for many years. In fact, some can grow into small trees if you care for them well! They have woody stems and oval green leaves. Sometimes the leaf edges turn red when they get lots of sun.

These plants store water in their leaves. This helps them live in dry places. That’s why jade plants don’t need much water to be happy. They do best in bright spots with some direct sun. These easy-care traits make them great for new plant owners.

But easy care doesn’t mean no care! Like all plants, jades can get sick. Fungal issues are one of the main problems they face. Let’s learn how to spot these issues early.

Signs of Fungal Infection on Jade Plants

How do you know if your jade plant has a fungus problem? Look for these signs:

• Spots on leaves: Brown, black, or white spots that weren’t there before
• Soft, mushy areas: Parts of the plant feel soft when they should be firm
• Powdery coating: White or gray dust-like stuff on leaves or stems
• Yellow leaves: Leaves turning yellow for no clear reason
• Falling leaves: Healthy jade plants don’t drop leaves often
• Bad smell: A musty or rotten smell near the plant
• Stunted growth: Plant stops growing or new leaves look small
• Stem issues: Dark or soft spots on stems

The most common types of fungus on jade plants are:

1. Powdery mildew: Looks like someone sprinkled flour on your plant
2. Black spot fungus: Makes dark spots that can spread
3. Root rot: Affects the roots first, then the whole plant starts to fail
4. Leaf spot: Creates spots that may have yellow rings around them
5. Sooty mold: Black, ash-like coating that can be wiped off

It helps to check your plant once a week. Run your eyes over the leaves and stems. Look at the soil too. The sooner you catch a fungal problem, the easier it is to fix!

Why Fungus Grows on Jade Plants

To fix the problem for good, we need to know why it starts in the first place. Fungus grows on jade plants when the conditions are just right—for the fungus, not the plant!

Here are the main causes:

Too Much Water

The top cause of fungus on jade plants is too much water. Jade plants come from dry areas. Their roots and leaves are built to store water, not sit in it. When soil stays wet too long, it makes the perfect home for fungus.

When you water too much or too often, the soil can’t dry out. Wet soil leads to root rot. Once the roots start to rot, the whole plant gets weak. Then other types of fungus can move in too.

Poor Air Flow

Plants need to breathe! When air can’t move freely around your jade plant, moisture sits on the leaves too long. This creates a humid zone that fungus loves.

Poor air flow happens when:

• Plants are too close together
• The plant is in a spot with no air movement
• The room is too humid with no fans or open windows

Wrong Soil Mix

Jade plants need fast-draining soil. If your plant sits in dense, wet soil, the roots stay too wet. This leads to root rot and other fungal problems.

Regular potting soil holds too much water for jade plants. They need special succulent soil or a mix with lots of sand, perlite, or pumice to help water drain fast.

Dirty Tools

Did you know fungus can hitch a ride on your garden tools? When you use the same tools on sick and healthy plants without cleaning them, you can spread fungus.

This also goes for your hands! If you touch a plant with fungus and then touch your jade plant, the spores can transfer.

Environmental Stress

When jade plants get stressed, they become more likely to get sick. Stress can come from:

• Sudden temperature changes
• Too little light
• Moving the plant often
• Using too much fertilizer

A stressed plant can’t fight off fungal spores as well as a healthy one can.

High Humidity

Jade plants like it dry! They come from South Africa where the air is not very humid. When you keep them in humid places, their leaves and stems stay damp. This makes it easy for fungus to grow.

Some homes have high humidity in bathrooms or kitchens. While these spots might be bright, they’re not the best for jade plants due to the moisture in the air.

Step-by-Step Treatment for Fungus on Jade Plants

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for—how to fix the problem! Here’s a step-by-step plan to treat fungus on your jade plant:

Step 1: Isolate Your Plant

First things first! Move your sick jade plant away from your other plants. Fungus can spread through the air or when plants touch. By keeping the sick plant alone, you protect your other green friends.

Put your jade in a spot with good air flow but away from plants you want to keep healthy. This simple step can save you from having to treat all your plants later!

Step 2: Trim Off the Worst Parts

Get a clean pair of scissors or pruning shears. Cut off any parts of the plant that look very sick. This includes:

• Leaves with lots of spots
• Soft, mushy stems
• Parts that smell bad
• Any black or very damaged areas

Make sure to cut a bit into the healthy tissue to be sure you get all the fungus. Each cut should be clean and at an angle.

After each cut, wipe your tools with rubbing alcohol. This stops fungus from moving to the next part you cut.

Step 3: Apply a Fungicide

Now it’s time to treat the remaining plant with a fungicide. You have two main options:

Store-Bought Fungicides:

• Copper-based fungicides work well for many types of fungus
• Neem oil helps with powdery mildew and is natural
• Sulfur sprays can treat many fungal issues
• Potassium bicarbonate is good for organic gardeners

Follow the steps on the bottle. Most need to be sprayed on all parts of the plant, not just the sick spots.

Homemade Fungicides:

• Baking soda spray: Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon mild soap, and 1 quart of water
• Milk spray: Mix 1 part milk with 9 parts water
• Cinnamon: Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the soil and affected areas

These home fixes work best for mild cases. For bad infections, you might need a store-bought option.

Step 4: Fix the Soil Situation

If your jade plant has root rot or the soil seems too wet, you need to repot it:

1. Gently take the plant out of its pot
2. Shake off as much old soil as you can
3. Look at the roots—cut off any that are black, mushy, or smell bad
4. Let the plant air dry for 1-2 days in a warm, dry spot
5. Get a new pot with drainage holes
6. Fill it with fresh succulent soil mix
7. Plant your jade, making sure not to bury it too deep
8. Wait 5-7 days before watering again

This gives your plant a fresh start with healthy soil that will drain well.

Step 5: Adjust Your Care Routine

Now that you’ve treated the plant, it’s time to fix your care habits to prevent future problems:

Watering Changes:

• Water only when the soil is completely dry
• For most homes, this means once every 2-3 weeks
• In winter, cut back to once a month or less
• Always feel the soil before you water
• Water the soil, not the leaves

Light Adjustments:

• Move your jade to a spot with bright, indirect light
• Some morning sun is good, but avoid hot afternoon sun
• Make sure the plant gets at least 6 hours of bright light daily

Air Flow Improvements:

• Keep plants spaced out, not touching
• Use a small fan to move air if your home is still
• Open windows when you can for fresh air

Step 6: Follow-Up Care

Treating fungus isn’t a one-time thing. You need to keep an eye on your plant:

• Check your jade plant every few days for new spots
• Reapply fungicide once a week for at least a month
• Keep the plant isolated until you see no signs of fungus for 2-3 weeks
• Look for new growth, which is a good sign your plant is getting better

It can take time for a jade plant to fully recover. Be patient and stick with your new care routine.

Natural Remedies for Fungus on Jade Plants

If you prefer to avoid chemicals, there are many natural ways to fight fungus. These work best when the problem is still small:

Cinnamon Powder

Cinnamon isn’t just for baking! It has natural anti-fungal traits that can help your jade plant. Just sprinkle ground cinnamon on the soil surface and any cut stems. You can also make a spray by steeping cinnamon in warm water for a day, then straining and spraying it on the plant.

Garlic Spray

Garlic has strong anti-fungal compounds. To make a spray:

1. Crush 5-6 garlic cloves
2. Mix with 1 quart of water
3. Let it sit for 24 hours
4. Strain the liquid
5. Add a tiny drop of mild soap to help it stick
6. Spray on your plant once a week

The smell goes away as it dries, so don’t worry about a smelly home!

Apple Cider Vinegar

This kitchen staple can help fight fungus too:

1. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of water
2. Put in a spray bottle
3. Spray on the leaves and stems once a week

Test on one leaf first to make sure it doesn’t harm your plant.

Milk Spray

Milk has proteins that can help stop some types of fungus:

1. Mix 1 part milk with 9 parts water
2. Spray on the plant in the morning so it can dry fully
3. Apply once a week

This works best for powdery mildew but can help with other fungal issues too.

Neem Oil

Neem oil comes from the neem tree and stops many plant pests and diseases:

1. Mix 2 teaspoons neem oil with 1 quart of water and a drop of mild soap
2. Shake well in a spray bottle
3. Spray all parts of the plant
4. Apply every 7-14 days

Neem oil smells strong but works very well. Use it outside or in a well-aired room.

Preventing Fungus on Jade Plants

The best way to deal with fungus is to stop it before it starts! Here’s how to keep your jade plant healthy:

Perfect Your Watering Routine

Since too much water is the main cause of fungus, getting your watering right is key:

• Let the soil dry completely between waterings
• Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil—if it feels dry, it’s time to water
• Water less in fall and winter when growth slows down
• Use room temperature water
• Water in the morning so any spills can dry during the day
• Always empty drain trays so the plant doesn’t sit in water

A good rule: when in doubt, wait another day before watering.

Choose the Right Pot

The pot you use matters more than you might think:

• Pick terracotta or clay pots that let air through
• Make sure there are drainage holes (more than one is better)
• Size the pot right—too big means soil stays wet too long
• Raise pots on feet or stones to help drainage

Create the Perfect Soil Mix

Jade plants need special soil that drains fast:

1. Start with cactus/succulent soil
2. Add extra perlite, pumice, or coarse sand
3. Aim for a mix that feels gritty, not dense
4. Replace soil every 1-2 years as it breaks down

A good mix is 2 parts succulent soil to 1 part perlite or pumice.

Clean Your Tools

Keep fungus from spreading with clean tools:

• Wipe tools with rubbing alcohol before and after use
• Have special tools just for your jade plant if possible
• Wash your hands between handling different plants
• Clean pots with soap and water before reusing them

Seasonal Care Adjustments

Your jade plant needs different care as seasons change:

• Give less water in winter
• Move plants away from cold windows in winter
• Protect from hot sun in summer
• Check more often for pests and disease in spring and fall when conditions change

Regular Inspection

Make plant check-ups part of your routine:

• Look at your jade plant once a week
• Check both sides of leaves
• Look at where stems meet the main plant
• Watch for early signs of problems
• Act fast when you see anything off

When to Say Goodbye: Knowing When a Plant Can’t Be Saved

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a jade plant might be too far gone. It’s sad, but it happens. How do you know when it’s time to let go?

Signs your jade plant might not make it:

• More than 70% of the plant is affected
• The main stem is soft all the way through
• All the roots are black or mushy
• New fungal spots keep appearing despite treatment
• The plant continues to decline for weeks despite your care

If you decide to say goodbye to your plant, don’t put it in your compost pile. The fungal spores can live there and affect other plants. Instead, bag it and put it in the trash.

Make sure to clean the pot very well with a 10% bleach solution before using it for any new plants.

Fungal Issues vs. Other Jade Plant Problems

Sometimes what looks like fungus might be something else. Here’s how to tell the difference:

Fungus vs. Sunburn

Fungus signs:

• Spreads slowly
• Usually starts as small spots
• May have fuzzy or powdery texture
• Can affect any part of the plant

Sunburn signs:

• Shows up quickly after sun exposure
• Usually on the side facing the sun
• Looks like dry, brown patches
• Doesn’t spread to new growth

Fungus vs. Pest Damage

Fungus signs:

• No moving bugs visible
• Usually affects the tissue, not just the surface
• Doesn’t show tiny bite marks
• Often has a pattern of spread

Pest damage signs:

• You can see tiny bugs or eggs
• Leaves may have bite marks
• Sticky residue might be present
• Damage looks random

Fungus vs. Overwatering (Non-Fungal)

This is tricky because overwatering can lead to fungus. But early overwatering looks different:

Fungus signs:

• Visible mold or spots
• Often affects stems and soil too
• Gets worse over time even if watering stops

Pure overwatering signs:

• Leaves look translucent
• The whole plant might look droopy
• Improves when watering is reduced
• No visible fungal growth

My Personal Experience with Jade Plant Fungus

A few years back, I noticed my oldest jade plant didn’t look right. The leaves had white spots that seemed to be growing. I first thought it was just mineral buildup from my hard water. But when the spots started to spread, I knew it was powdery mildew.

I tried wiping the leaves with water. Big mistake! This just spread the fungal spores around. The mildew got worse fast.

I then did some research and made a milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water). I sprayed my plant twice a week and moved it to a sunnier spot with better air flow. After three weeks, the mildew was gone!

Now I check all my jade plants each week. I also make sure they get plenty of sun and air. I haven’t had mildew since.

The key lesson I learned: act fast when you see any signs of fungus. Small problems are much easier to fix than big ones!

Quick Reference: Fungus Treatment Checklist

Here’s a handy checklist to follow if you spot fungus on your jade plant:

1. ☐ Move plant away from other plants
2. ☐ Take clear photos to track progress
3. ☐ Trim off badly affected parts
4. ☐ Clean tools with alcohol between cuts
5. ☐ Apply fungicide of choice
6. ☐ Check soil moisture and drainage
7. ☐ Repot if soil is staying too wet
8. ☐ Move to a spot with better air flow
9. ☐ Make sure light is bright but not harsh
10. ☐ Follow up with weekly treatments
11. ☐ Adjust watering schedule
12. ☐ Check daily for signs of new growth

Frequently Asked Questions About Jade Plant Fungus

Q: Can a jade plant recover from root rot?

A: Yes, but you must act fast! Cut off all rotted roots, let the plant dry out for a few days, then repot in fresh, dry soil. The plant can grow new roots if enough healthy tissue remains.

Q: Is it normal for jade plants to drop leaves?

A: Jade plants drop some old leaves naturally. But if many leaves fall at once or if the leaves look sick before falling, that’s a sign of a problem that could be fungal.

Q: Can I use the same fungicide for all types of fungus?

A: While some fungicides work on many fungi, others target specific types. Copper fungicides and neem oil work on most common jade plant fungi. Read labels to be sure.

Q: How often should I apply fungicide?

A: Most fungicides need to be applied every 7-14 days. Follow the product instructions. Keep treating for at least two weeks after all signs of fungus are gone.

Q: Will the spots on my jade plant go away after treatment?

A: Damaged areas won’t heal, but new growth should be healthy and spot-free. You may need to wait for the plant to grow new leaves to look fully healthy again.

Q: Can I put my jade plant outside?

A: Yes, jade plants do well outside in warm weather (above 50°F/10°C). The fresh air can help prevent fungus. Just avoid harsh afternoon sun and bring them in before frosts.

Q: How do I know if my jade plant has powdery mildew or just dust?

A: Try wiping a leaf with a damp cloth. Dust will come off easily. Powdery mildew might come off but will return in a few days and has a more patchy pattern.

Final Thoughts: Your Jade Plant Can Thrive Again!

Dealing with fungus on your jade plant isn’t fun. But with quick action and the right care, your plant can bounce back stronger than ever! Remember that jade plants are tough survivors by nature. They’ve adapted to harsh conditions for thousands of years.

The key is to learn from the experience. Each plant problem teaches us something new about our green friends. Once you master jade plant care, you’ll have a better sense of all succulent needs.

Keep a close eye on your plant in the weeks after treatment. Celebrate new growth as a sign of recovery! And don’t be too hard on yourself if you’ve made mistakes—every plant owner has been there.

Your jade plant is worth saving. With time and care, it can grow into a beautiful, healthy plant that might even outlive you! After all, well-cared-for jade plants can live for 70-100 years. Think of treating this fungal issue as just one chapter in a long, green life.

Happy growing!