Chris Buckland
Houseplants and succulents have increased in demand during recent years. The Crassula Ovata, more commonly known as the Jade Plant, has been the favorite plant of houseplant enthusiasts. This is due to its distinct tree-like form that somewhat resembles the unique bonsai trees, its round and fleshy leaves which it is referred to as succulent, and its easy-to-care nature. How to propagate Jade Plant? Let’s find out.
In many Asian cultures, the Jade plant, also known as the money plant, money tree, or lucky plant, is considered a symbol of prosperity, luck, and friendship.
They are also given as housewarming or congratulatory gifts. It is also considered a good omen to keep them at the front door as it is deemed to welcome money into the house.
Characteristics Table
| Origin | South Africa |
| Scientific Name | Crassula ovata |
| Common Names | Jade plant, lucky plant, money plant |
| Type | Succulent soft wooded perennial |
| Family | Stonecrops |
| Temperature | Daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 ° F, and Nighttime temperatures between 50 and 55 ° F |
| Watering | Watering once every 2 to 3 weeks |
| Light | Bright light at least 6 hours each day |
| Toxicity | Toxic for Humans and Pets |
| Propagation | Propagation through stem cuttings |
| Flowering | Jade plants do not flower in the wild until they become mature |
| Maximum Size | 3 to 8 feet |
Specifications of the Jade Plant
The Jade plant’s botanical name is Crassula Ovata. It is native to South Africa and Mozambique. Ranging from zones 9-12, its hardiness depends on the species. It has a slow pace of growth and requires a mix of direct and indirect bright sunlight to feed for both its strength and its ‘matte’ foliage color.
As an outdoor plant, the Jade plant usually stands at around 3 to 12 feet tall and 2 to 6 feet wide, while the same plant stays smaller when kept as a houseplant. It has thick fleshy leaves that can either be round, oval, irregular or even wrinkled in shape.
The colors of the Jade Plant can be green, golden, silver-blue, or even have different shades, every so often with highlights of red or burgundy. Isn’t that a picturesque combination?
Now let’s get to the main part – The propagation.
How to Propagate Jade plants
Propagating Jade plant succulents is not difficult, but you need to be very careful. It is quite easy to learn, even for beginners, and by the end of this article, you will learn how to propagate Jade plants.
There are several methods for propagating a Jade plant. The primary method is the use of cuttings, which is further divided into two types: Leaf and stem cuttings.
Both of these methods work just fine, so it is a matter of choice and the fact that which kind of cutting is available.
Leaf cuttings are usually easier to work with but take much longer to grow into a Jade plant. Also, while working, make sure to use sterilized and clean equipment, which will help you prevent many issues such as mold, insects, or fungus.
Tools and Materials required
Specific tools will be required if you want to learn how to propagate Jade plants successfully. The necessary items are:
- A sterile, sharp pair of scissors or a sterile knife
- A pot/container for your Jade plant
- Soil
- Parent plant
- Rooting hormone (either in powder or liquid form)
- Paper towels
- A couple of chopsticks or straws
- Plastic bags
Propagating Method with Cuttings
Follow the steps stated below to propagate your Jade plant using cuttings from the parent plant:
Step 1
First of all, prepare the container you wish to pot your new Jade plant in. Put the soil you have chosen in the container and water it. Allow the soil to drain properly unless you want the cuttings to be callous.
Step 2
Choose a good branch on your parent Jade plant to use as the cutting.
Step 3
Use the knife or pair of scissors to cut the branch from the parent plant gently. The branch should be about 3 to 4 inches in length, and make sure you cut it as close to any node as possible.
Step 4
As the bottom of the cutting goes into the soil, at least an inch of it has to be freed of any leaves.
Step 5
Allow the cutting to dry. Place it in a dry area and leave it for 2 to 3 days, or you may wait for the cuts to callous over.
Step 6
Apply the rooting hormone on the bottom. Moisten the bottom of the stem if you choose to use the powdered rooting hormone. Apply the hormone on the whole bottom inch of the cutting.
Step 7
Use the chopstick or a pencil to make an inch-deep hole in the pre-moistened but well-drained soil.
Step 8
Carefully insert the cutting into the hole, making sure that the rooting hormone is not removed or brushed off while doing so, as it is important for the success of your propagation. It is, however, possible to propagate without the rooting hormone, but it helps significantly in root growth and makes the cuttings stronger and healthier.
Step 9
Gently press the dirt around the hole once you place the cutting in it, and the cutting should stand upright on its own. Otherwise, use a straw or chopstick to support it by inserting them in the soil next to the cutting.
Step 10
Partially cover the cutting with a plastic bag. Make sure the plastic bag is elevated and does not cover the whole cutting. You may use chopsticks or straws to keep the bag elevated. This is an effective method to prevent moisture loss.
After following this procedure, you are ready to go! Just keep a few precautions in mind:
- Keep it in a warm and shaded area.
- Keep it under observation as it grows, and remove the plastic bag if you see any condensation appearing.
- Build its strength and tolerance by moving it step by step closer to the window sill as doing it directly might cause sunburn and other issues.
Propagating method with Leaves
Propagation with leaves is much easier than the ones that involve stem cuttings. The succulent leaves of Jade plants tend to grow swiftly and be very strong, and it has a higher success ratio when it comes to propagation with cuttings. However, this method may take longer than the stem cuttings to grow into a new Jade plant.
The following steps will guide you through the propagating process through leaves.
Step 1
To propagate your Jade plant using leaves, remove healthy and robust leaves from the parent plant using a pair of sterile scissors or a sharp, sterile knife.
Step 2
When you obtain the leaves from the parent plant, allow them to be dry and callous over to the point that their cuts are thoroughly dried up.
Step 3
After they are dry and ready, apply some rooting hormones to the area where you cut the leaf. This helps to increase the chances of rooting.
Step 4
Take moist soil and put it in a container; place the leaves on the soil and wait. You will have to be patient, but the leaves should root and start a new plant eventually.
It is important to have dry conditions to stimulate root growth in Jade plants when it comes to propagation. In this case, the roots will spread and grow in all directions to seek moisture, resulting in a better grip of the roots inside the soil and will be more secure. This will add to the strength of the plant and prevent it from falling over.
Requirements Of Jade Plants After Propagation
Simply propagating the plant is not the end of the procedure. You need to take care of your succulent plant as well, so it continues to be strong and thrive. Here are some factors you need to take care of:
Temperature
Jade plants usually prefer dry conditions but can tolerate higher levels of humidity. The ideal temperature for them ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures might stress or even kill the plants, so you should avoid placing your plants in extreme temperatures.
Soil
Jade plants prefer a neutral to mildly acidic pH of soil. They require good drainage to avoid the rotting of roots. Jade plants can endure native soils that may be rocky or sandy. However, for houseplants, you should use succulent potting mix, and to improve drainage, mix it with an equal amount of pumice or perlite.
Potting
As mentioned above, pots should have good drainage. Terracotta pots tend to absorb more water as they are porous and have better drainage that prevents root rot. If you choose to use plastic or ceramic material for your pots, you should make sure they have proper drainage holes and do not retain water in them.
Watering
Jade plants may require less water than you might have anticipated. More plants die of overwatering rather than under-watering. Water the succulents thoroughly every 7 to 14 days and wait for them to dry out completely before watering them again.
Fertilizing
Jade plants do not require heavy feeding; hence apply trivial amounts of all-purpose fertilizer at the start of spring when the plants come out of semi-dormancy. You should fertilize at half-strength after 1 to 2 months during the blooming season.
Pruning
Jade plants can either be pruned and trimmed into bonsai or can be allowed to retain their original shape. They might also benefit from pruning too, as they store water in their leaves, which eventually become heavy as they grow older and cannot support their own weight.
Prune the plants in spring or early summer and make sure you use sterile equipment as the cuts can be prone to diseases and infections and use sharp tools to avoid tissue damage.
Wait for the plant to be at least one year old before you begin pruning. Avoid cutting the main trunk as it will inflict severe damage to your Jade plant.
Cleaning and repotting
Wipe the succulent leaves every few months with a damp cloth to remove any dust and keep the foliage fresh.
As far as repotting is concerned, Jade plants grow slowly and will only require potting every 2 to 3 years for young and growing plants and 4 to 5 years for already mature plants.
The best time to repot is spring when the plants begin a fresh growth spurt and use a pot or container that is only barely larger than the previous one. Here is a complete guide on How to Re-pot Your Plant in 15 Minutes Max.
FAQs
Is Jade a good indoor plant?
Yes, Jade plant is a great indoor plant. It is low maintenance and drought tolerant. It’s also a beautiful decorative accent. Plant in a bright spot, out of direct sun.
Keep the soil evenly moist, but not watering it every day in summer. In winter, water more often but don’t let it stay wet. If jade plant loses its leaves, don’t worry, it will regrow. You may fertilize 2 times a year (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer.
Do jade plants require sun?
The answer to this question depends on the type of jade plant you have. If your jade plant is an indoor plant, it will require bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth. If your jade plant is an outdoor plant, it will require full sun exposure.
How long do jade plants live?
A Jade plant can live for many years, some have been known to live for more than 20 years. The best way to keep your Jade plant healthy is to water it properly and give it enough sunlight. It’s also important to keep the roots dry, so don’t put the plant in a corner that stays wet.
Conclusion
After learning how to propagate a jade plant, propagating and taking care of your Jade plants might sound like a very difficult thing to do but is pretty easy in actuality.
Now you have learned how to grow new plants with both methods, using the stem’s cuttings and the succulent leaves.
Voila! You can now have as many beautiful baby Jade plants as you wish! They are not as demanding and look extremely beautiful and welcoming if you place them at your front door or in your living room, or any place you want. Take care of them from time to time, and you are good to go!
Good luck with your new succulent Jade Plants! However, if you’re interested in collecting other succulent house plants, you can find information about different varieties from our blog.
