Propagating jade plants from leaf or stem cuttings is very easy, and it’s a great way to expand your collection. I’ve had my plant for over 20 years, and I’ve multiplied it many times. It’s so much fun, and I love sharing the babies with friends.
In this post I’ll explain exactly how to do it. I will give you detailed step by step instructions to guide you through the entire process – from taking and preparing the cuttings, to potting up your new plants.
You’ll learn when and how to propagate your jade plant, get my expert tips for the best success, and I’ll even share some simple hacks I’ve learned over the years.
Jade Plant Propagation Methods
There are two main ways you can propagate a jade plant (Crassula), either from cuttings or by division. However, you can only divide them if there is more than one stem coming out of the soil.
So the most popular method to use is rooting stem cuttings, and that’s the technique I will focus on in this guide.
While it is also possible to propagate a single leaf, it will take much longer to get a full-sized jade plant that way. It’s fun to experiment though, so I’ll also include details about that.
Related Post: Plant Propagation: A Detailed Guide For Beginners
When To Propagate Jade Plants
The best time to propagate a jade plant is during the warmest months of the spring and summer. They will root faster in a warm, slightly humid, and well-ventilated environment.
In fact, it’s so easy that sometimes a branch or leaf will break off and start to root on its own without any help from you. But, with the right conditions, you can do it any time of the year.
Propagating Jade Plants From Cuttings
You can propagate any size stem from your jade plant, even huge ones. So, if a branch broke off or you find a severed piece, then try rooting it.
You can even save your clippings after pruning your jade. Otherwise, below I will show you the correct way to take cuttings and prepare them for propagation.
How To Take Stem Cuttings
You can take cuttings from anywhere on your jade plant, so find a firm, healthy section. Don’t worry about hurting your plant, new leaves will grow just below the cut in a few weeks.
The section you choose should be at least 3-4 inches long, and have a few leaves on top. Use a clean pair of sharp clippers, and make your cut at a 45° downward angle.
Preparing Your Stem Cutting
Before you try rooting it, there are a few things you should do to prepare your jade plant cutting for propagation.
First, if it’s completely covered with leaves, remove the lowest ones to expose a few inches of the stem. The roots will form out the leaf nodes, so try to get a couple on there. Don’t remove all of the leaves though.
It’s also important to allow the wound to cure (dry out and callus over) for a few days. This will help prevent rotting. The larger and thicker the stem is, the longer you should let it cure.
This isn’t as much of a concern in the summer months, but definitely something you’ll want to do if you’re propagating succulent plants during the winter.
Tips For Propagating Jade Plant Leaves
To successfully propagate your jade plant from a leaf, you have to remove it correctly. To do that, take hold of the leaf and gently wiggle it or move it back and forth until it comes off.
Be sure to get the entire stem along with it. If the bottom part is broken off, then the leaf might not root.
For the best results, plant them as soon as you can. It’s ok if they shrivel a little bit, but it won’t work if they are completely dried up.
How To Propagate A Jade Plant Step By Step
The best way to root jade cuttings is by planting them in soil. Follow the step by step instructions below:
Supplies Needed:
- Jade plant stem or leaf cuttings
- Well draining potting soil
- Hand trowel
- Rooting hormone
- Clean pot
- Pair of clippers
See my detailed list of the best plant propagation supplies here.
Step 1: Fill the pot with soil – Loosely fill your container with fresh and slightly damp potting soil. The medium should not be wet or saturated, but it shouldn’t be bone dry either.
Related Post: How To Choose The Best Jade Plant Soil
Step 2: Apply rooting hormone – Dust the exposed stem of your jade plant, or end of the leaf, with rooting hormone to help stimulate propagation and speed things up.
Step 3: Plant the cutting – Make a hole in the medium first, and gently place the stem into it so the powder won’t rub off. Then lightly pack the soil around the base of the cutting so it stays in place, and the medium comes in good contact with the stem. If you’re using leaves, you can simply lay them on top of the soil, or lightly bury the stems.
Step 4: Place somewhere warm and bright – Put the container in a spot where it’s protected from full sun and heavy rain, and don’t water until after roots have formed. If the air is really dry, then lightly mist the cutting daily. Be careful though, they don’t need very much humidity.
Step 5: Check for roots – The roots should start forming in about 2-4 weeks. You’ll know they are ready when you see new leaves growing on the top of the cutting, and it doesn’t move when you lightly tug on it.
Related Post: How To Propagate Succulent Plants From Cuttings
How Long Do Jade Plants Take To Root?
In the right conditions, it doesn’t take very long to propagate jade plants. The new roots will usually start forming in 1-2 weeks, and should be long enough to pot up within 4-6 weeks.
If the air is super dry or it’s cold, then it will take much longer. In that case, you can try putting the pot on a heat mat and lightly mist the cutting to speed up the process.
Related Post: Why Your Jade Plant Is Turning Red & What To Do About It
Repotting Your Jade Plant Cuttings
Once the roots have formed, you can water it like you normally would any jade plant. They don’t need a lot of moisture, so allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
You can leave the baby plants in their containers until they’re large enough to pot up. I usually wait until they have outgrown their starter pots before transplanting them into larger ones.
The best type of soil to use is a fast draining one or a gritty mixture. You could try making your own using my succulent mix recipe.
Next up, learn exactly how to care for your new babies in my detailed jade plant care guide.
Look at all these cute little baby plants I have now. Jade plant propagation sounds like it would be hard, but it is super easy. They make great gifts, and are fun to share with friends.
Do you want to learn how to multiply all of your plants? Then my Plant Propagation eBook is for you! It will show all you need to know to get as many new plants as you want from your existing ones. Grab your copy today!
More About Plant Propagation
- How To Propagate Aloe Vera By Division
- Rooting Aloe Vera Cuttings Step By Step
- Propagating String Of Pearls In Water Or Soil
- How To Propagate Plumeria From Cuttings
- Propagating Christmas Cactus From Cuttings Or By Division
- Propagating String Of Hearts (Rosary Vine) From Cuttings Or Division
Share your jade plant propagation tips in the comments section below.
Carol Woodruff says
Thank you. I am nervous but I know it needs help.
Carol
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Carol Woodruff says
I have a jade plant that has 3 thick limbs. They are hanging over the side of the pot and curving up, and have large leaves. It was like this when I got it a year ago. It has lost most of it’s leaves in the center so it is bare in the pot except for a few leaves that are sprouting slowly in the soil. It has grown since I got it and seems to be trying to grow up (the curving of the limbs). It is under a grow light next to a window. I can’t turn it or move it because the limbs are so long (outward). I know I need to cut it off and start more plants, but can I cut down to just above the dirt? Or leave some leaves on the main stalks? I don’t necessarily want to kill the original plant. Will it grow more limbs and fill in if cut back drastically?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, it definitely sounds like your jade needs a haircut, here are the steps for how to properly prune it. Don’t cut off all of the leaves, they need those to survive. And yes, once you take cuttings, the middle of the plant will fill in and become fuller.
Elizabeth Mandelin says
Hi. My ZZ plant is about 3yrs old. Transplanted it once and it took off, I used miracle grow soil so I haven’t fertilized it yet. I did this about 7 months ago. I read that they don’t need fertilizer as much as my other plants. I’m doing good with it, new shoots are coming out pretty good. It even flowered for me. It’s actually a perfect looking plant, nice green huge leaves ( 0.15 meters) and healthy looking stems. Largest stem stands 0.9 meters. Problem: It has grown mushrooms 4 times, all sizes, shapes and colors. Not too pleased with this. Have read and been told 1. I am overwatering it ( once a month) 2. The shrooms won’t hurt the plant. Nobody wants shrooms growing on their plants I’m pretty sure. None of my other plants ever grow these. It’s very dry when I do water, and I water till it runs out the bottom. I don’t allow it to sit in water. It faces south, but the sun doesn’t shine on it for more than 4 hours. I am pretty stumped and frustrated at this point. Do you have any idea’s ? Thank you for your time.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Congratulations on the success of your plant. The mushroom spores probably came in the soil you used for repotting, or got in there if you ever put the plant outside. I’ve had that happen before too. They won’t hurt your plant, and yes, it is a sign of overwatering. It should be dry 2″ deep before watering again. Once you allow the soil to dry adequately, then the problem usually goes away. If it keep persisting, then I would repot it. Make sure to get as much of the soil off the roots as possible to get rid of the spores, and wash the pot well with soapy water before replanting in a fresh, sterile medium. Here’s more info on how to care for a ZZ plant.
Bev says
I have had a jade cutting in a glass of water whilst we moved house. The stem has broken away from the root system. Can I propergate the stem to root again? Also, if I plant the root system in soil is it likely to grow?
Any advice gratefully received.
Amy Andrychowicz says
As long as the stem on your jade cutting is firm, healthy, and not rotting, then you should be able to root it. Let it cure (dry out) for several days before trying. For the root system, if it’s only roots and no stem or if the stem has rotted, then no, it won’t grow. If there’s still a stem attached to the roots, and it is healthy and firm with no signs of rot, then it may grow. The only way to know for sure is to plant it and see.
Angela says
Hi
My large jade plant that I have had for some years started wilting and I think I underwatered it, so I soaked it in some water for a few days and replanted it and it seems to have recovered.
I also took some cuttings in case it didn’t recover and planted these with rooting powder, however, after reading your tips, I think I have done it the wrong way round, instead of letting the cuttings dry and callus over, I soaked them in water for a few days before planting. Is this likely to fail, and would I have to start again? The leaves on the cuttings are looking very dry.
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the leaves on your jade cuttings are looking very dry, then check the stems to see if they are rotting. They don’t like a lot of water, so soaking them may have caused them to rot. I definitely recommend letting them callous over next time, and do not soak them in water. If the stems feel firm, then I would just leave them be and see if they root. Keep the soil on the dry side, and do not overwater.
Ria says
Hi, I’ve never been able to maintain healthy jade plants, be them gifted or propagated. Recently one of my pots died and I pruned some cuttings off my mother’s jade. I planted them yesterday after a day of letting them dry. Today after reading you post I have taken them out of the moist soil. How many days should I wait before replanting them? Or are they already ruined because of a day in moist soil?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wait to plant your jade cuttings until the cut end has hardened and calloused over. Depending on how large they are, this can take a few days for smaller ones, or a week or more for large ones. Also, I recommend dusting the ends with rooting hormone before planting them too, which will give you better success. Here’s my comprehensive guide for how to care for jade plants, which should help you be successful with them going forward. Good luck!
Sara Jane says
Hello. I have been trimming my jade -now multiple plants – for a few years, always successful. This spring when I cut them back three branches did not grow leaves on the ends. They did sprout new branches below, but 3 out of four did not regrow at the ends. They’re just stumps. Not sure if I should let it be or cut down further. Wish I could add a picture. This happened on two different plants. Did I cut too much?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would check to make sure those “stumps” on your jade plant aren’t rotting. Tip rot is very common, and can kill the branch slowly from the top down. Here’s my detailed guide about how to prune them for more details and step by step instructions.
Charlene Galway says
I am propagating several jade plants from the stem! I have one plant that has lots of little baby leaves growing out of the stems But attached to the little leaves are small white roots!
What are they and should I be doing anything??
Amy Andrychowicz says
Those are called aerial roots, and they usually form when jades aren’t getting enough water. Check to make sure the main stem on your cuttings isn’t rotting. If all looks good, then you can either just ignore the aerial roots, or pinch them off if you want. If the stem on your cuttings is rotting, you could cut it down to where the aerial roots are, and plant those instead.