How To Propagate Jade Plant

Propagating a jade plant is an easy and fun activity. It is easily propagated by cuttings of leaves and stems. In fact, it is so simple that occasionally the fallen leaves of the plant start rooting in their container by themselves.

This article will help you propagate jade plants from cuttings. But before we dive into how to propagate a jade plant, we will have to understand a few basic things.

The Best Time to Propagate Jade Plants From Cuttings

Propagating a jade plant or any plant for that matter from cutting is best suited at the time of its peak growth season. Because trying to propagate a jade plant during its dormancy will not yield any good results.

For your information, jade plants go into dormancy in the winter, and they have no significant growth in that season. So avoid trying to propagate jade plants in winters.

The best time to propagate a jade plant is in the spring and summer.

During this time, the jade plant has all the growth factors, i.e., the right warmth and humidity, going in its favor. So spring and summer are the best times to propagate a jade plant from cuttings.

Types Of Cuttings To Propagate Jade Plants

The jade plants can be multiplied using two different kinds of cuttings. Leaves are the first, while stem cuttings are the second.

Even though you can grow jade plants from both kinds of cuttings, you should be aware that it will take longer for a leaf cutting to develop into a full plant.

So if you don’t want to wait longer, always go for stem cuttings.

The Best Medium To Grow Jade Plants Cutting

Cuttings from jade plants can be propagated in either soil or water.

Even though both media are excellent for cutting propagation, soil is suggested for leaf cuttings due to its ease of use.

Growing cuttings in water is an exciting activity as you can see all the root growth in action.

If you are planning to grow jade plant cuttings in soil, ensure you have the best potting soil mix for them. You can use the standard succulent potting mix or prepare the same at home by mixing 1 part garden soil, 1 part sand, and 1 part perlite.

How To Propagate Jade Plants From Leaf Cutting

If you are planning to propagate the jade plant from leaf cuttings, follow these instructions.

1. Take the right cutting

Take a healthy leaf from a jade plant. Ensure that the part that attaches the leaf to the stem is attached to the leaf. Because if we cut a leaf without that part, the cutting will not grow roots.

Instead of taking fresh leaves, you can also use fallen leaves.

2. Allow the leaf to form callus

Allow the leaf to dry for a few days so that a callus can develop on the cut end. It is important to allow the cut to dry, as this part is susceptible to fungal rot without callus.

3. Prepare The Potting Soil and Pot

Prepare the potting soil mix in advance. Ensure that the potting soil you are using has good drainage. Also, the pot that you are using has a drainage hole.

4. Put Leaf Cutting in Potting Soil

Although it’s not always necessary, applying rooting hormones will have benefits. If you have any rooting hormone, dip the cut end of the leaf into it.

It is not a huge concern if you do not have root hormones, as roots in jade plants form easily even without root hormones.

Gently insert the cut end of the leaf cutting into potting soil and compact the soil around the cutting.

5. Watering

Water thoroughly after putting leaf cuttings in potting soil. It’s important to keep in mind that while evenly moist soil promotes the growth of roots, waterlogging can lead to fungal rot. So after each watering, allow the top of the soil to dry before the next watering.

How To Propagate Jade Plants From Stem Cutting

If you are planning to propagate the jade plant from stem cuttings, follow these instructions.

1. Take the right cutting

Select a stem from a jade plant with multiple leaf nodes. Leaf nodes are uneven parts on stems from where the leaves grow. These nodes are important, as this is the place from which roots will grow. If you cut a stem without leaf nodes, it will not grow roots.

Take a stem that is four to six inches long and has healthy leaves on it. Make a sharp cut and separate it from the mother plant.

2. Allow the stem to form callus

Remove all the lower leaves from the stem cutting and keep only a few leaves on top of the cutting.

Let the cut end of the stem to dry for a few days to aid in the formation of a callus. The wound needs to air dry since it is vulnerable to fungus deterioration without callus.

3. Prepare The Potting Soil/Water Container

In Potting Soil

If you are planning to grow jade plant stem cuttings in soil, prepare the potting soil mix in advance. Make sure there is adequate drainage in the potting soil you are using. Additionally, there is a drainage hole in the pot you are using.

In water

If you are planning to grow jade plant stem cuttings in water fill a transparent container with water.

4. Put Stem Cutting in Potting Soil/Water Container

In Potting Soil

While it’s not always required, using rooting hormones will help. Dip the cut end of the stem into any rooting hormone you may have on hand. If you do not have root hormones, it is not a major problem.

Gently insert the cut end of the Stem cutting into potting soil and compact the soil around the cutting.

Ensure that atleast two leaf nodes are inserted inside the potting soil.

In Water

Put the cutting into the water. Ensure that at least two leaf nodes are submerged in water.

5. Watering

In Potting Soil

Water thoroughly after putting stem cuttings in potting soil. Remember that keeping the soil evenly moist encourages root formation, but waterlogging can cause fungal rot. So after each watering, allow the top of the soil to dry before the next watering.

In Water

Once or twice a week, change the water. When the roots reach a length of more than 2 inches, you can either move them into potting soil or leave them in a container of water.

Cuttings from jade plants take 10 to 14 days to sprout new roots. And when two months have passed, the plant has enough roots for a pot.