How to Start Jade Plants

Jade plants, members of the succulent family, are hardy houseplants that can benefit from a lot of sun, warm temperatures and well-drained soil. Using a stem cutting from a mature specimen is the best way to cultivate a new jade plant, but you can also propagate with leaves. The ideal time to start your new jade plant is the spring or summer growing season (Reference 1).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mature jade plant
• Pruners or sharp knife
• Vermiculite or perlite
• Small flower pot (about 8 inches across)
• Water

Stem Cuttings

1. Choose a stem that is healthy. Look for a firm stem and shiny, plump leaves. Use the shears or knife to cut a section 3 inches to 4 inches long. Remove any leaves from the bottom of the stem cutting (Reference 2).

2. Allow the cutting to air-dry for one to two weeks. You want a hard callous to develop over the cut (Reference 2).

3. Prepare the potting medium, using a ratio of one-half vermiculite or perlite to one-half soil. Place the medium in a small pot (Reference 2).

4. Place the cutting in the potting medium. Insert the stem just deep enough to hold it in place, about 1 inch to 2 inches (Reference 2).

5. Water the cutting just enough to wet the potting soil. Once it has rooted, in two weeks to a month, continue to water sparingly (Reference 2).

Leaf Propagation

6. Choose a healthy leaf from your mature plant and cut it off the stem using the pruners or sharp knife (Reference 2).

7. Prepare the potting medium of one-half vermiculite or perlite and one-half soil and place it in a flower pot (Reference 2).

8. Place the leaf on top of the potting medium. Do not insert the leaf into the medium. Water sparingly (Reference 2).

9. Look for small jade plants to start growing, usually in two months (Reference 3).

Tips & Warnings

• Use leaf propagation if your mature plant is small or you cannot find a good stem cutting (Reference 2). Once the stem cutting roots or the plant appears from the leaf cutting, you can treat your new jade plant like a mature jade plant (Reference 2).
• Allow your stem cuttings to dry to keep diseases from entering the cut end through the potting medium (Reference 2).

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Crassula--Jade Plant
• GardeningKnowHow: Propagating Jade Plants
• Garden Helper: Jade Plants

Resources

• Clemson University: Jade Plant