In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

Jade plants (and other succulents): Go easy on watering

A friend phoned me a few weeks ago concerned about the sunken, blackened areas on the trunk of her jade plant. When I suggested that she might be overwatering, she replied that she watered only once a week.

That made me sure she was overwatering.

Jade plants are succulents, a group of plants linked not by any botanical kinship but by a physical kinship: They all have fleshy leaves and stems swollen with water. Cactuses are succulents, as are hens-and-chicks, aloe and purslane. Those water-filled stems and leaves tide the plants through dry periods.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS WITHOUT WATER LOSS

All plants lose water through tiny pores in their leaves, pores that are also avenues through which oxygen enters and carbon dioxide exits for photosynthesis. Such a setup puts most plants in a bind during dry times. Should they open their pores so that photosynthesis can give them energy, but risk drying out? Or should they close up their pores to conserve water, but suffer lack of energy?

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Besides being able to store water in their stems and leaves, jade plants and other succulents have a couple other tricks for solving this conundrum. First, they have a more efficient way than most plants of concentrating carbon dioxide in their cells. Second, they work the night shift, opening their pores only in darkness, when little water is lost.

They latch onto carbon dioxide at night by incorporating it into organic acids. Come daylight, the leaf pores close up, conserving water, and the acids made the night before release the carbon dioxide within the plant to be used, with light, to make energy. You can actually taste this trick this summer by nibbling a purslane leaf at night and then another one in the afternoon. The leaves taste tart at night.

All of this means that my friend should water her jade plant much, much less. If there is ever a doubt about whether or not to water a succulent, not watering is the correct choice. These plants simply do not die from drying out.

I have an aloe plant that I water maybe once or twice a year. It looks fine.

Darwin studied the effect of gravity on plants by watching the response of another succulent, known as mother-in-law’s-tongue, hung upside down for six months. He didn’t have to bother watering it.

Too-frequent watering, or a soil through which water does not drain readily, will rot any succulent.

SUCCULENTS CAN HEAL

Even succulents with rot on them can usually survive or be revived. With less watering and/or better drainage, my friend’s jade plant should overgrow its blackened areas with healthy tissue. And any part of these plants that touches the soil can eventually grow roots to make a healthy, new plant.

These abilities are most welcome in a jade plant, but are not always welcome in a succulent like purslane, usually considered a weed. During a wet summer, the roots might rot away but the tops will remain alive, lying on top of the ground, flowering and spreading seeds. Chop purslane with a hoe, and each piece can give rise to a whole new plant.

Then again, you can eat purslane, even tailoring its flavor according to whether you pick it during the day or at night. Purslane is often found in green salads at ritzy restaurants.

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.