How to Care for Jade & Cactus

Plant jade and cactus in pots filled with a succulent potting mix or outdoors using a mix of two parts potting soil for every one part perlite and gravel. Succulents prefer tight root space as opposed to an excess of loose soil, so select a pot or dig an outdoor hole only 2 inches larger in diameter than the plant's current pot.

Place potted succulent plants in a window that receives full sun, facing south if possible. Plant outdoor succulents in full-sun locations where the soil won't stay overly moist after rainfall.

Water jade and cactus plants according to season to encourage natural dormancy. From mid-spring to mid-fall, water the plants once a week with only enough water to saturate the soil for a day or two and then let the soil dry before the next watering. Over the winter, back off watering to only once or twice a month.

Feed your plants every six months by pushing houseplant fertilizer spikes into the soil. While succulents don't need an abundance of nutrients to grow, the fertilizer spikes maintain the soil and keep it from becoming depleted.

Prune jade and cactus plants sparingly in early spring once you see new growth appear after the winter dormancy. Cut away only limbs of the plant that are misshapen, appear diseased or are disrupting the overall body shape of the plant. Some years will require no pruning.

Propagate succulents by division for plants like the Christmas cactus and other cacti that feature multiple stems or by planting broken-off leaves for plants such as jade. Divide plants in spring. You can plant leaves for rooting during any season.