I have a jade plant I would like to repot but I don‘t know what type of potting soil to use can I use regular potting soil or do I have to use a special kind of potting soil and what type of pot should I use for this plant
I've been working with house plants for over 45 years and have yet to find a perfect potting soil for tropical plants straight out of the bag. I usually have to mix my own to get it to be the best for the plant. I use equal parts bagged top soil, potting soil and vermiculite and make sure the mixture balls in my hand and then falls apart when I wiggle my finger. This shows the best texture to allow oxygen to the roots without clogging and preventing air circulation around the roots and prevents the plant from drowning. There are special mixes for succulents-which a jade is in the succulent group of tropical plants- that will allow good drainage and air circulation. The roots of most succulents are hair-like and very fine so over watering can be done very easily. Be sure you allow the top of the soil surface to dry to about 1/2 inch before you water gain. If the water drains out the bottom right away, it means that the soil was too dry and you should water a bit more often. Never allow the pot to sit in water longer than 20 minutes or you can get root rot and the plant will die very quickly. A sure sign of over watering is if your leaves drop off the stem very easily when touched and they are green and very full. If they are very flat and fall off, the you are under watering and need to water a bit more often. Jades and all succulents been bright indirect light all day in order to do well. You probably will not need to transplant I until you see roots coming out the bottom of the plant, just few before you will need to go into a the next size pot. Don't go too big or you will be in danger of over watering the first time you water the soil. They do not need a lot of fertilizer or plant food so don't give it any until next spring, and just a very little in your watering can when you water. Make sure the soil is a bit moist when you use fertilizer or it will burn the roots.
I just use cheap 2 dollar soil from wallmart on all my plants tropical and cactus/succulent. Mine is doing fantastic.
