Jade plants can easily be propagated using either stem or leaf cuttings; with stem cuttings taking root more rapidly.
Start by placing the stem cuttings in a warm spot to dry, which will reduce disease in the new plant. Next, lightly dust its cut end with rooting hormone for additional support.
Propagate
Jade plants are among the easiest succulents to propagate. You can grow new jade plants through either stem or leaf cuttings – either method is generally simple and has high success rates; stem cuttings tend to root faster and develop into full plants more quickly; single leaves may take more time before taking shape as full plants.
To make stem cuttings, use a clean blade to make cuts at least 3-4 inches long from the node, where roots will begin forming. For faster rooting time and availability in most greenhouses, rooting hormones may also be applied directly onto this node before it goes in soil.
An effective soil mix is key when propagating jade plants, and you can either make your own or purchase one specially tailored to succulents. When using a mix, add in sand and perlite for better drainage and moisture retention.
Keep the cuttings in direct sunlight and avoid overwatering them; too much moisture could cause root formation to stop, leading to eventual plant death. Aim to water once or twice each week while leaving some time between waterings for drying off.
If you decide to propagate a jade plant from one leaf alone, wait until it produces a tiny plantlet at its base before separating from its main source and planting separately in well-draining soil in its own pot. Full growth could take 2-3 months from an individual leaf.
Rooting a jade plant from one leaf doesn’t require you to cure the plant first; simply break off and stick the leaf into soil. Lightly dusting it with rooting powder may speed up its development of roots more rapidly.
Watering
If you have successfully propagated a jade plant from stem cuttings, it’s wise to plant it quickly as any delay could impede root formation and make transplanting more challenging. The longer roots stay dormant in water, the harder they’ll be for new roots to take hold.
When planting, start with a pot that’s slightly larger than the root ball, fill it with drainage-friendly potting mix, then spread and backfill gently with soil after planting the seedlings. Water deeply to hydrate all parts of the soil – then wait at least a week for your new houseplants to settle before lightly watering again.
Put a plastic or glass starter dome over your plant until its roots begin to grow; this helps increase humidity around it and increase chances of successful rooting. For an expedient rooting experience, add rooting hormone powder.
Leaf cuttings are another straightforward method of propagation. There’s no need for calloused cuts and they can even be treated by simply leaving them to dry for several days – although any parts that touch water must be removed as these parts will rot more rapidly than other parts.
When propagating leaf or stem cuttings, be sure to store them in a dark and cool area. Too much light exposure can damage these delicate plants as they try to grow roots; too little light could also lead to dry out and shrivel up of these delicate roots.
Once your cuttings have developed a healthy root system, they can be moved to a larger pot and placed under brighter light. Be sure to use well-draining potting mix as jade plants are vulnerable to fungal disease from overly wet soil. Furthermore, regularly water your newly transplanted jade plant when the top 3 inches feel dry – half-strength succulent fertilizer may also help. For indoor gardeners looking for something different than just stem cuttings alone, propagating jade plants is an easy and rewarding way of adding some green into any room of the home! With just a few simple steps you’ll soon have some beautiful new jade plants which look fantastic no matter where they live!
Temperature
Jade plants thrive best at temperatures between 65-70 degrees. When exposed to cooler temperatures, the leaves of jade plants may become limp and wilty; when this occurs it is essential that you increase the room temperature in which your jade plant lives in order to restore its health and help it back into bloom.
For this step, move your jade plant into a warmer location such as closer to a window or well-lit area of the house. Ideally, your jade plant should receive at least six hours a day of indirect light for optimal growth.
Propagating a jade plant is relatively straightforward once established. When taking stem cuttings from an established jade plant, their growth will accelerate faster and fill out faster compared to taking leaf cuttings; but either method works just as well.
Leaf cuttings don’t need curing like stem cuttings do; simply break off a leaf and stick it in some soil to root. Over time, this leaf will become its own small plant! When ready to remove from its growing medium, gently pull up with chopstick to avoid damage to new roots; once removed from this condition repot your cutting in another pot with less soil than originally packed in as this could encourage fungal diseases like root rot.
Repotting jade plants requires moist yet not overly wet soil conditions. You can use all-purpose or succulent/cacti specific potting mix. When choosing the latter option, add perlite for improved drainage to avoid root waterlogging and ensure adequate root space.
Winter and fall are when jade plants usually become dormant, meaning you should reduce or forgoing watering altogether to allow it to conserve its energy for use come springtime when new growth will resume.
Lack of sunlight can leave jade plants looking leggy, which is why it is crucial to provide it with plenty of direct light when indoors. If your jade plant starts looking leggy, move it into a sunnier spot or add grow lights for increased illumination.
Light
Plants require light for photosynthesis to convert nutrients to food, and that process uses chlorophyll. Natural sunlight (filtered through window blinds, curtains or skylights) or bright artificial red- and blue spectrum lighting is usually the best source of illumination; although certain succulents and other cacti can survive without sunlight.
Jade plants can be propagated using either stem or leaf cuttings; rooting is easiest with stem cuttings. Stem cuttings can be taken at any time of year, although spring and summer tend to produce faster root growth rates than at any other time of year.
As part of your propagation process, maintain soil that is slightly damp but not waterlogged (using a hygrometer is helpful here). Many gardeners recommend adding rooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings in order to increase root formation faster and create stronger, healthier plants; but this step isn’t absolutely essential – many gardeners omit this step entirely.
Bright light is essential during spring and summer growth periods for jade plants, and must not be limited. Otherwise they may become limp or leggy, becoming susceptible to insects like mealybugs that can be eliminated with an alcohol swab applied directly onto their surfaces.
A healthy jade plant should feature a strong, green appearance with firm branches when squeezed. Any sign of weakness in its branches could indicate root rot or another issue which needs to be corrected by trimming away any dead or dying roots and reppotting the plant as soon as possible.
Leaf cuttings may be more challenging to root in water than their stem counterparts due to difficulty keeping their leaves upright; however, with proper management it’s possible to create an entire jade plant from one leaf cutting. Once roots appear on its stems, gently pull up from soil-less medium and replant into pot with rich, succulent soil mix; take care not to damage its delicate young roots during this process.
