While jade plants can easily be propagated from seeds, cuttings of leaves or stems may also be taken and planted into water as a method for propagation.
To do this, first allow the scabbed end of the cutting to dry out before submerging it in water and dousing it in rooting hormone. Mist regularly and you should notice roots form within several weeks.
Water Propagation
As with stem cuttings, propagating jade plant by water requires creating a sterile environment and sterilizing tools. Rubbin alcohol can help both sterilize your tools as well as eliminate pesky insects that might invade the plants. Selecting strong but non-woody shoots that measure 7 to 10 centimetres long from a strong non-woody stem is ideal; remove lower leaves before leaving them to dry for two or three days before placing into their respective pots.
Fill a small pot with succulent potting soil and ensure it remains damp. Jade plants are typically slow growers that do not require much feeding; however, you can use half-strength succulent fertilizer if necessary to foster their growth.
Place the cutting in its container just below a leaf node, and add several drops of rooting hormone to jump-start the process of root growth. Don’t worry if you don’t have rooting hormone on hand; your jade plant will still sprout roots!
Once the opening has healed, soak it again with rooting hormone to expedite rooting significantly.
Once dipped in rooting hormone, insert your cutting into the prepared soil. Fill your pot up a bit more than needed so that there’s room around the sides and bottom for additional roots to form.
If you prefer, another method of propagation for jade plants involves taking leaf cuttings instead of stem cuttings; this approach may be more difficult and take more time before producing an established plant.
To successfully propagate a jade plant from discarded leaves, you will require healthy green leaves that are free from pests and disease. Choose one large plump leaf similar in size to those found on your parent plant and cut a section off at least four inches (10 cm) long using sharp pruning shears or knife.
Soil Propagation
If you want a straightforward method of propagating your jade plant, consider soil. Succulents tend to root very easily in soil, giving you an opportunity to keep an eye on its progress more easily than with cuttings. Just ensure the soil drains freely or else its roots may become waterlogged; to do this, use a standard plastic nursery planter with drainage holes filled with standard potting soil combined with some perlite for improved drainage, moistening it lightly – enough that the surface feels moist to touch.
As you wait for your jade plant cutting to root, don’t be alarmed if its cutting begins to shrivel up as moisture escapes; once roots begin forming and grow, its leaves should plump back up indicating successful rooting of the cutting.
Once the cuttings begin to develop roots, which should take approximately four weeks, transplant them into soil in containers with drainage holes so as to not clog up and kill their roots. After rooting is complete, place your new jade plant in a sunny location without drafts for optimal success.
No matter whether you propagate by stem or leaf, propagating a jade plant is an easy and rewarding process that’s well worth your efforts. Just be patient; roots typically form within two weeks after propagating; once it does though, the resultant plants make gorgeous additions to any houseplant collection! For more tips and advice about propagating plants, download my free Plant Propagation eBook now – packed full of tips to help you grow stunning blooms of your own while including succulent propagation techniques as a bonus section – get your copy today by clicking below!
Leaf Propagation
If you don’t have the patience or time for stem cuttings to root properly, another alternative would be growing jade plants from individual leaves instead. While this method requires more work and dedication than stem cuttings do, the results are just as rewarding and worthwhile. When to use it: In summer when plants are at their fastest growth. When this method can have its greatest chance of successfully rooting.
Begin by selecting a healthy, plump leaf. For maximum success, select one with bright green edges with deep rose tints and no signs of pest or disease damage. Next, identify an area on the leaf where roots have started growing out from nodes – using clippers or scissors carefully cut off a 3- to 4-inch section and place in water-filled container in a warm area until new roots begin growing from it.
Roots should start to form within a month and you can transplant the leaf into a pot filled with succulent potting mix containing perlite for drainage purposes. Place it in direct sunlight, gradually decreasing watering frequencies until its leaves no longer need as much sustenance to keep from rotting away.
Propagating jade plants from individual leaves year-round is possible, though this method takes more time for fully developed plants to emerge than water propagation does. Both methods are easy and will give you a new jade plant quickly! Good luck!
Stem Propagation
If you don’t have much space, but still wish to propagate a jade plant, try using the stem method. To do so, cut a long, firm section at one of the leaf joints; make sure it contains multiple nodes where roots grow quickly into new plants. The more nodes there are on a cutting, the faster new plants will develop.
Take care in cutting with clean blades or sterilized clippers. Allow the cutting to dry in a warm area out of direct light; this step helps minimize risk for disease while speeding healing of any cuts made on surfaces that were cut during cultivation. Once it has dried completely, you can use it to start new plants!
Step two is placing the cutting in a pot filled with succulent potting soil – easily available at most home and garden centers. Shears, rubbing alcohol and rooting hormone are also necessary – these powdery substances help jump-start the rooting process while the latter acts as sterilization tool and accelerates it further.
Once your jade plant has been planted, water as needed to ensure its soil stays moist. When its soil dries out or it shows signs of overcrowding, repotting is needed using a pot with drainage holes and an additional tray to catch runoff and condensation.
Though propagating jade plants from leaf cuttings may take longer, it can still be successful. To do so successfully, one should collect full, healthy leaves at least two to three centimeters long that do not have holes, scars, discolorations, insect damage or pest infestation. Also follow all curing and planting steps associated with this propagation method.
