Consider this a gardening intervention. Our friend Andrew was wondering how to repot his jade plant and considered heading out to Prospect Park to collect some “dirt.” We steered him clear of this idea by gently suggesting that Brooklyn “dirt” is not optimal potting soil for a jade plant--that and, well, we didn’t want to have to bail him out of jail.
After doing a little research, however, we realized he may be onto something. While jade plants enjoy rocky hillsides and arid soil, growers also recommend mimicking these conditions with mixes where “a good amount of grit and gravel in the mix is essential,” i.e., Brooklyn dirt.
Specifically, the mixes should be half organic topsoil and half a combo of perlite, haydite, turface, or, yes, small gravel and grit. Some people also use coir, pine bark and river stones. (OR: use pre-packaged soil for cacti and succulents, and we won’t hold it against you.) In general, the soil should drain quickly and be allowed to dry between waterings.
A few other repotting tidbits:
Cut your jade back before repotting to help the plant get re-established faster.
The new pot should only be one size larger than the original and the plant should be given all new soil.
With sharp shears, remove damaged, rotten and any excessively long roots, especially those that may be wrapped in a circle around the base of the rootball. Snip them close to the rootball.
Remove some of the old soil from the sides and bottom of the rootball without damaging the fine feeder roots.
Planting the jade, set the plant on new soil at the same depth as the old container and gently firm the soil around the rootball, filling the sides. Do not pack it.
Wait a few days before watering, giving the cut roots time to callous, and then soak the soil. To avoid root rot, never let the pot sit in excess water.
We hate to say it, but, in some cases, the jade may not need to be repotted at all. A frequent problem with jades is overwatering, which stops root growth and causes the plant to get taller and top heavy. If this is the case, prune the leaves, trim the stems and refrain from watering. The roots will grow in search of moisture and the plant will (figuratively) blossom.
Like many grandparents, jade plants love desert conditions so, in winter, keep them inside and, in summer, give them fresh air.
But, no matter the season, the access to decent soil, or the urgency of repotting, please leave Brooklyn dirt--or any municipal dirt--alone.