Jade plants, also known as Crassula ovata, are popular succulent houseplants that are easy to care for and can live for decades with proper maintenance.
But, you may wonder, why are my jade plants turning purple? Because, it’s a very common phenomenon with this plant.
Jade plants can turn purple for several reasons, including inadequate light, low temperatures, overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, and pest infestations. Insufficient light can cause the leaves to develop a purple tint as they try to photosynthesize with limited energy. Low temperatures can also affect the plant’s metabolism, causing it to produce purple pigments.

Overwatering can lead to root rot and affect nutrient absorption, leading to purple coloration. A lack of essential nutrients like phosphorus and magnesium can cause leaf discoloration.
Pest infestations like spider mites can cause purple spots on the leaves. Proper care and attention can help prevent these issues and keep your jade plant healthy and vibrant.
Why Is My Jade Plant Turning Purple?
Jade plants are hardy succulents that require minimal care, but inevitable mistakes can cause them to turn purple. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes that jade plant owners make, leading to root rot and poor nutrient absorption, which can result in purple leaves.
Inadequate lighting can also affect the plant’s metabolism, causing it to produce purple pigments.
Using the right soil or pot size type can help drainage, leading to waterlogged soil and root rot. Not providing enough nutrients, particularly phosphorus and magnesium can cause leaf discoloration.
Pests like spider mites can also damage the plant, causing purple spots on the leaves. Proper care and attention, including appropriate watering and lighting, regular fertilization, and pest management, can help keep your jade plant healthy and vibrant.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that give plants red, purple, and blue colors. These pigments are produced in response to various environmental factors, including low temperatures, insufficient light, and nutrient deficiencies.
In jade plants, anthocyanins contribute to the plant’s purple coloration when exposed to stress, such as low light or nutrient deficiencies.
Anthocyanins are produced in response to stress as a protective mechanism, shielding the plant’s cells from damage caused by ultraviolet light and free radicals. While a jade plant’s purple coloration may be aesthetically pleasing, it can be a sign of stress and indicate that it requires better care and attention.

Several factors can trigger the production of anthocyanins in jade plants. Exposure to low temperatures, particularly during winter, can cause the plant to produce anthocyanins as a protective mechanism against the cold.
Insufficient light can also lead to the production of anthocyanins as the plant tries to maximize its energy absorption. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in phosphorus and magnesium, can also trigger anthocyanin production as the plant attempts to compensate for the lack of essential nutrients.
Additionally, stress from overwatering or pest infestations can cause the plant to produce anthocyanins as a protective response. Proper care and attention, including appropriate lighting, watering, and fertilization, can help minimize the production of anthocyanins and keep your jade plant healthy and vibrant.
Stress-Related Causes
Jade plants can experience different types of stress that can affect their growth and health. Environmental stress includes temperature fluctuations, light exposure, and humidity levels. Physical stress can be caused by improper pruning, damage from handling or transporting, or poor growing conditions.
Chemical stress can result from exposure to pollutants, pesticide or fertilizer application, or poor water quality. These types of stress can lead to various symptoms, including leaf discoloration, stunted growth, wilting, and even death. Proper care, including appropriate watering, fertilization, and pest management, can help minimize stress and keep your jade plant healthy and thriving.

Several stressors can cause purple leaves in jade plants, including overwatering, leading to root rot and poor nutrient absorption. Underwatering can also cause purple leaves, as the plant tries to conserve water by reducing its photosynthesis rate.
Low humidity can cause the plant to lose water through transpiration, leading to purple leaves. Temperature fluctuations, particularly exposure to cold temperatures, can also trigger anthocyanin production, leading to purple coloration.
Additionally, nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of phosphorus and magnesium, can cause purple discoloration in the leaves. Proper care and attention, including appropriate watering, lighting, and fertilization, can help prevent these stressors and keep your jade plant healthy and vibrant.
To avoid or address stressors that can cause purple leaves in jade plants, it’s important to provide proper care and attention. To prevent overwatering, ensure the soil is well-draining and allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions.
To address underwatering, increase the watering frequency and ensure that the soil is thoroughly moistened. Place a tray of water near the plant to increase humidity levels, or use a humidifier. To avoid temperature fluctuations, ensure the plant is kept in a stable environment away from cold drafts.
Finally, ensure the plant receives the proper nutrients, including phosphorus and magnesium, through regular fertilization. Regular monitoring and care can help prevent stressors and keep your jade plant healthy and vibrant.
Sunlight-Related Causes
Light plays a crucial role in the growth and health of jade plants. Jade plants generally require bright, indirect sunlight for several hours each day. Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf scorching, while too little light can lead to leggy growth and reduced vigor. If jade plants do not receive enough light, they may also produce more anthocyanins, leading to purple discoloration in the leaves.
On the other hand, too much light can cause the plant to become stressed and produce fewer leaves. It’s important to monitor light conditions regularly and adjust the plant’s location or use supplemental lighting to provide optimal light conditions for healthy jade plant growth.
Sunlight can trigger anthocyanin production in jade plants, which can cause purple coloration in the leaves. When the plant is exposed to too much sunlight or direct sunlight, it can become stressed and produce anthocyanins as a protective mechanism.

The anthocyanins act as sunscreen, protecting the plant’s cells from damage caused by ultraviolet light and free radicals. The production of anthocyanins can result in purple coloration in the leaves, often a sign that the plant is under stress.
While a certain level of anthocyanin production is normal and aesthetically pleasing, excessive production can indicate that the plant is not receiving optimal light conditions or may be experiencing other stressors.
Here are some tips on how to manage light exposure to prevent purple leaves in jade plants:
- Provide bright, indirect sunlight: Jade plants require several hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day to thrive.
- Monitor light levels: Regularly monitor the plant’s light exposure and adjust its location to avoid direct sunlight.
- Use shading: If the plant receives too much direct sunlight, use curtains or blinds to diffuse the light or move the plant to a shaded area.
- Use supplemental lighting: If the plant is not receiving enough light, use supplemental lighting, such as a grow light, to provide adequate light levels.
- Rotate the plant: Rotate the plant periodically to ensure that all sides receive equal light exposure.
- Avoid sudden changes: Gradually acclimate the plant to changes in light levels to avoid stress and minimize the production of anthocyanins.
Nutrient-Related Causes
Jade plants require several nutrients to support healthy growth and development. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Nitrogen is essential for leaf growth and chlorophyll production, while phosphorus is important for root growth and flower formation.
Potassium helps regulate water balance and overall plant health. Calcium is needed for cell wall structure and strength, and magnesium is crucial for chlorophyll production. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and reduced overall plant vigor.

Proper fertilization and regular monitoring can help prevent nutrient deficiencies and ensure your jade plant is healthy and vibrant. Phosphorus and nitrogen deficiencies can contribute to purple leaf development in jade plants. A lack of phosphorus can cause reduced chlorophyll production, leading to a reddish-purple coloration in the leaves.
Similarly, nitrogen deficiencies can lead to chlorophyll production issues, causing leaves to turn purple or yellow. When the plant lacks these essential nutrients, it can become stressed and produce anthocyanins as a protective mechanism, resulting in purple coloration.
Monitoring your jade plant’s nutrient levels regularly and providing adequate fertilization to prevent deficiencies and ensure that the plant remains healthy and vibrant. Here are some suggestions for identifying and treating nutrient deficiencies in jade plants:
- Observe growth pattern: Observe the plant’s growth pattern and look for any signs of yellowing or discoloration in the leaves or stems.
- Check soil pH: Check the soil pH to ensure it is within the optimal range for jade plants, between 6.0 and 6.5.
- Soil test: Perform a soil test to determine which nutrient is lacking.
- Fertilize appropriately: Use a balanced fertilizer with the correct ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other essential nutrients.
- Apply foliar spray: Apply a foliar spray containing the deficient nutrient to the leaves.
- Adjust watering: Ensure proper watering to prevent nutrients from leaching from the soil.
- Re-pot the plant: Re-pot the plant into fresh soil with added nutrients to provide better nutrition.
- Seek professional advice: If the problem persists, seek professional advice from a horticulturist or plant specialist.
Other Considerations for Purple Jade Plant Leaves
In addition to environmental factors and nutrient deficiencies, genetics, and diseases can cause purple coloration in jade plants. Some cultivars of jade plants may naturally have purple-tinted leaves as part of their genetic makeup.
However, this should not be confused with a stress or nutrient deficiency symptom. On the other hand, certain diseases and pests can also cause purple coloration, such as bacterial leaf spots and spider mites.
If you have ruled out environmental factors and nutrient deficiencies as the cause of the purple leaves, it’s important to consider other potential causes, including genetic factors and diseases. Careful observation and accurate diagnosis are crucial to pinpointing the cause of purple leaves in jade plants.
While anthocyanin production due to environmental stress or nutrient deficiency is the most common reason, other potential causes exist, such as genetics and diseases, identifying the specific cause of the purple coloration is important in determining the appropriate treatment.
Without proper diagnosis, attempts to address the issue may be ineffective or even exacerbate the problem. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully observe the plant’s growth pattern and symptoms, check soil quality and consider all possible causes before taking action. Seeking professional advice can also be beneficial in making an accurate diagnosis and resolving the problem effectively.
How do you take care of a purple jade plant?
Jade plants are popular succulents for their fleshy leaves and easy care requirements. If you have a purple jade plant, it’s important to understand its care needs to keep it healthy and thriving. Here are some tips for taking care of a purple jade plant:

- Light Requirements: Like other varieties of jade plants, purple jade plants require bright, indirect light to thrive. They should be placed near a sunny window or under artificial grow lights to ensure they receive enough light. However, it’s important to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn and damage the plant.
- Watering: Jade plants are drought-tolerant succulents, so it’s important to avoid overwatering. The soil should dry out between watering sessions, and excess water should be drained away to prevent root rot. During the winter months, when the plant goes into dormancy, water sparingly.
- Soil Requirements: Purple jade plants require well-draining soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 6.5. A commercial cactus or succulent mix can be used, or you can make your own by mixing equal parts of sand, peat moss, and perlite. The soil should dry out between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizer: Jade plants benefit from occasional fertilization, but avoiding over-fertilizing is important, as this can lead to nutrient burn. A balanced fertilizer with a 20-20-20 ratio can be applied once a month during the growing season.
- Temperature: Purple jade plants prefer temperatures between 65-75°F during the day and 50-55°F at night. They should be kept away from drafts and extremes in temperature, which can stress the plant and cause leaf drop.
- Pruning: Regular pruning can help maintain the plant’s shape and promote new growth. Pinch off dead or yellow leaves and cut back any leggy or overgrown stems.
- Pests and Diseases: Purple jade plants are relatively pest and disease-resistant but can be susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, and fungal diseases. Regular inspection and treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil can help prevent infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some common pests that can infest a jade plant?
Some common pests that can infest a jade plant include mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects.
Can jade plants be grown outdoors?
Jade plants can be grown outdoors in warm climates with well-draining soil and protection from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Can I propagate a purple jade plant?
Yes, purple jade plants can be propagated through stem or leaf cuttings. Allow the cuttings to dry for a few days before planting them in well-draining soil.
Can I prune my purple jade plant to control its size?
Yes, pruning can help control the size and shape of your purple jade plant. Regular pruning can also promote new growth and prevent leggy or overgrown stems.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a jade plant turning purple can signify several underlying issues, such as stress, nutrient deficiencies, or excessive sunlight. It’s essential to carefully observe and diagnose the plant’s symptoms to determine the root cause of the issue.
Proper care and maintenance, including appropriate watering, sunlight exposure, and nutrient supplementation, can prevent and address purple leaves in jade plants. Your jade plant can thrive and maintain its vibrant green color with the right care and attention.