How to Propagate Jade Plant from Leaves and Cuttings
Jade plants are one of the most popular succulents in America. This is because they are low maintenance and can survive almost any kind of weather.
If you would like to multiply your jade plant, here’s how to propagate jade plants from their leaves and cuttings:
Contents
How to Propagate Jade Plant from Leaves
Succulents can be easily propagated from their leaves. Jade plants are no different! To start with, you need some fresh jade leaves. Gently twist and pull to pluck the leaves from the plant. You can also use scissors for a cleaner cut.
Make sure the leaves are healthy as this makes propagation easier. Lay the leaves on a clean surface and let the wound heal. This is done to reduce the risk of rot in the propagated plant.
Take a pot and fill it with a mixture of perlite and succulent soil mix. The pot should have a draining hole. Succulents need efficient drainage to thrive and stay free of disease.
Lay the leaf cuttings on the soil. The stem of the leaf should have full contact with the soil. You can lay down many leaves to increase the chances of successful propagation.
Spray the soil with water every couple of days to keep it moist. At this stage, spraying is enough—do not water the leaf. Place the pot in a party-shaded area where it can get plenty of indirect sunlight.
When baby leaves start to show up and the plant takes root, you can slowly start watering the plant. This can take between 2 weeks to 2 months. The plant will be very small at first and it will take a while for the growth rate to speed up.
When the plant is 2-3 inches tall, it will require the same care as a mature jade plant. You can also transplant it into a new pot so that it has more room to grow.
How to Propagate Jade Plant from Cuttings
Jade plants can also be propagated from stem cuttings. This method is quite popular due to its high success rate. It works best if your jade plant has large, healthy stems. Here’s how you can propagate a jade plant from stem cuttings:
- Use a pair of clean, sterile scissors to cut a healthy piece of stem at least 3-4 inches long. The larger the cutting, the better the success rate.
The stem should have a few healthy leaves and at least two nodes towards the bottom. New leaves and roots will grow from these nodes.
- Pluck or cut away all the leaves from the bottom half of your stem cutting. The part that goes into the soil should not have any leaves. You can also save these leaves and use them for propagating more jade plants later.
- Let the stem cutting dry for a few days. When all the wounds have formed calluses, you can plant the cutting in soil.
- Take a pot or tray with draining holes and fill it with a succulent soil mix. The goal is to prepare a pot that has an efficient draining system. Having quick drainage saves you a lot of trouble when it comes to caring for succulents.
Alternatively, you can also mix a standard potting mix with perlite. The perlite will take care of the drainage.
- Now, you need to moisten the soil. It doesn’t need to be drenched, even spraying abundantly will suffice. Make a hole in the soil with your finger deep enough to plant the stem cutting.
- Place the stem cutting in the hole and make sure it is stable. Pat the soil down to secure the stem in place.
- Keep the pot in a spot where it gets indirect sunlight every day. Water it lightly every couple of days or whenever the soil is dry.
- Do not be alarmed if the stem cutting starts to droop at first. It is completely normal for the stem to be droopy while it develops a root system. If it bothers you, you can use a stick to prop it up. Once the cutting takes root, the stem will be able to stand upright on its own.
FAQs
How do you propagate jade plant in water?
Jade plants can be propagated in water quite easily. A lot of people find it easier and faster to propagate them in water instead of soil. Both leaves and cuttings can be used for water propagation. Here’s how it works:
Propagating Jade Cuttings in Water
Propagating jade stem cuttings in water is easy. Prepare the stem the same way you would for soil propagation—cut a healthy piece of stem and clear the leaves from the bottom half. Let the wounds dry and callus over.
Take a clear glass or vase and fill it with clean, room temperature water. You can also use rainwater. Put the stem cutting into the container. The leaves should not be submerged in the water.
You might find it easier to propagate a jade stem cutting if it is longer than usual. Keep the container in indirect sunlight and change the water once a week.
The best part is that you can actually see the roots growing. Once the roots are about 2 inches long, you can transplant the jade plant in soil or a new container. You can also keep growing it in water.
Propagating Jade Leaves in Water
Propagating jade leaves in water is possible but a lot of people avoid it because it is a little finicky.
Pick healthy leaves and snip them off the plant. Always use clean scissors to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases. Let the leaves dry on a clean surface. Once they have formed calluses, transplant them in water.
Take a clear container and fill it with clean water. You need a very small container as the leaves are quite small themselves. A vase or jar won’t do, you need something roughly the size of a shot glass.
Here comes the troublesome part—you need to suspend the leaves in the water. The leaves themselves should not get wet.
You can use mesh or toothpicks to accomplish this. The simplest way is to lay a piece of mesh on top of the container and stick the leaves in the mesh. The fleshy part will stay above and the stem will reach the water.
Once the roots come in, you can either move the cutting to a new container or let it continue growing in water.
How long does it take for jade plant cuttings to root?
Jade plant cuttings are extremely easy to grow and have a very high success rate. Once you plant the cuttings, it takes about 2-3 weeks for them to take root.
You can check for roots by gently tugging on the cutting. If there is resistance, you can rest assured that the cutting has taken root. If the stem cutting starts standing upright on its own, it is another clear sign that the cutting has taken root.
If you propagate jade cuttings in water, it is quite easy to tell as the roots will be visible. If you are propagating jade cuttings in soil, you need to be patient. The process can be slightly slower.