4 Jade Plant Benefits

Having succulents as houseplants have gained quite some popularity over the years. And the jade plant has undoubtedly found its spot in household plant favorites. Besides its evident aesthetics, the jade plant offers an array of benefits. So carry on reading to learn the benefits of the jade plant.

The jade plant has many benefits. For instance, the jade plant has been shown to improve air quality and increase relative humidity. In addition, the jade plant is a beautiful plant that adds to the aesthetics of any household. Lastly, the jade plant is easy to maintain.

Related: Plants That Look Like Jade

1. Jade Plants Can Improve Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to our health. And no, I don’t just mean the dusting that you put off during last week’s busy week. Instead, I am referring to air pollution.

Whether we know it or not, we are often exposed to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These compounds can sometimes be present in such high amounts that we can even smell them!

Research has shown that Jade plants are one of the few plants that are effective in reducing VOCs. This is fantastic news, as inhaling a large amount of VOCs can lead to sick building syndrome. This syndrome can cause asthma, allergies, dizziness, and even can decrease productivity.

Paint polishes, glues, and fire retardants can emit formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and toluene that can harm your health. In addition, many common appliances such as furniture, copiers, printers, and cleaning supplies have been shown to emit VOCs.

So it is easy to see that some buildings, workplaces, or households may emit higher VOC levels than others. Although having a jade plant around is an effective tool to help reduce VOCs, it is best to use this plant as a complement to proper air ventilation rather than the sole solution.

However, the studies are clear that the jade plant is hard at work in helping to improve the air quality. So be sure to add this wonderful plant to your home or your worktable.

2. Jade Plants Can Increase Humidity

Are you tired of low humidity? Maybe the thought of this coming winter brings traumatic flashbacks of dry skin and constantly chapped lips? Low humidity surely can cause problems whether we like it or not. Therefore, it is important to maintain a decent amount of moisture in the air to prevent discomfort and health problems.

Low humidity can cause sinus and nasal irritation, dry skin and lips, dry cough, and nosebleeds. And appliances such as heaters and air conditioners can further negatively impact the humidity levels. As such, these appliances can decrease the water vapors in the air leading to low humidity.

However, the jade plant has been shown to impact humidity levels positively. This plant increases the relative humidity and thus may maintain a decent level of relative humidity. As such, this may help prevent or relieve the symptoms associated with low humidity.

Monarch Butterfly on a Jade Plant
Yay Monarch Butterfly on a Jade Plant

In addition, maintaining an adequate humidity level can help prevent ailments such as colds, flu, and even allergies. However, some seasons or times of the year may prove more difficult in maintaining adequate amounts of relative humidity. For instance, the use of heaters in the colder months can play havoc with the moisture in the air.

This is where the jade plant seems to have the upper hand. Plants go through a process called evapotranspiration, which is the transpiration of water from the soil to the leaves, which is then evaporated in the air.

In the case of the jade plant, evapotranspiration usually occurs during the dark. This means that it is an excellent option for increasing relative humidity during the darker months of the year.

3. The Jade Plant Is Aesthetically Pleasing

The jade plant has found its way into many households, and it’s easy to see why. This beautiful succulent adds a unique dynamic to the overall aesthetic of the environment, which livens up any room with its emerald green leaves and beauty.

Let the jade plant charm you with its simple yet elegant look, or add some white stones to the succulent pot to change the overall aesthetic. Or, if you are looking for something different, consider hanging the jade plant. Jade plants are excellent as part of an indoor hanging garden.

4. The Jade Plant Is Low Maintenance

Jade plants are quite easy to care for. This means that this succulent is an excellent option for even novice of gardeners. However, like most succulents, jade plants do not do well when overwatered.

So if you think you are overwatering your plants, try to keep the soil on the dryer side rather than too wet. In addition, an important factor in keeping this plant is to make sure there is adequate drainage. Too much water accumulation can damage the health of your plant.

Also, jade plants usually require about four to six hours in the sun. However, take caution when exposing an immature jade plant to direct sunlight, as it may be a bit too hard for them to handle. Furthermore, if you are looking for a place to keep your plant, it is recommended to sit your jade plant at a south-facing window.

Lastly, this is another reason why these plants are easy to maintain: they prefer 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered average room temperature. So there is no extra worry about whether your plant can adapt to the climate or not. More than likely, if you are comfortable, so is your plant.

However, these plants aren’t subject to the 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit range. They can adapt quite comfortably to a drop of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. So that means, in those slightly colder nights or colder months, your plant can fair well – if it does not drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, of course.

However, if the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants do not tend to fair too well. All in all, the jade plant has many benefits and may be worth investing in.