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.
Bill says
We just gave our large Jade indoor plant a haircut and there are several long branches. Is it possible to take one and try to make a Bonsai from it? I have seen them but not sure how to do it! Suggestions welcome!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Absolutely! I have never tried bonsai myself, but a jade plant would make a wonderful specimen for it. And, since you have free jade plant cuttings, it would be fun to experiment!
Marissa says
When do you apply the rooting hormone? Before or after they callous
Amy Andrychowicz says
You want to dust cut end of the jade cutting with rooting hormone after the wound has calloused over.
Anne says
Can you use the rooting hormone if the stem already has roots because it was propagated in water, Amy? Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
If it your jade cutting already has roots, then you wouldn’t need the rooting hormone.
Anne says
Hi Amy,
Would applying a root hormone to cuttings that were propagated in water and thus grown roots, help them better acclimate to the soil in their new homes? I’ve propagated the cuttings for years and don’t believe I’ve had any problems after they’ve been transferred to their pots, but are there things I should keep in mind or be looking for if I continue using that method over letting the cut callous over? Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, rooting hormone can help cuttings become established and grow. But, if you’ve been having great success rooting jade cuttings in water, then there’s no reason to change your method. 🙂
Lisa says
I started my jade plant collection probably more than 10 years ago, from a single small plant that I purchased from a local grocery store. That plant grew in to 3 large stocks. I would put the dropped leaves that looked healthy back in the soil and most would root and start new plants. Then, about 2 years ago, I decided to trim my “Momma Plant” as it was becoming very top heavy. From those 3 stocks, I created at least a dozen new plants in various sizes, most bigger than my original plant was when I bought it. I’ve done 1 or 2 additional trimmings and am about to do another. I gave away many of those plants as gifts, have a few in a garden window at home and have the rest throughout my office at work. Oh! And my boyfriend even took one for his office…which incited many requests from his employees for their own plants! My question is this…with all the trimming that I have done, my “Momma Plant” is growing taller and her lower stocks are a bit bare. I’m wondering how far down I can cut the stock and still have a living, viable plant? If I cut a stock down and essentially leave a stump, will new shoots grow from it? Her stocks just lean so much and I end up staking and tying them up. (No matter how much I trim). And can I propagate new plants from pieces of the stock/stem as I do the leaves? Thank you in advance for your help!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, your jade will grow back no matter how far down you cut it (as long as there’s some sticking out of the soil of course). But, I would not recommend cutting off ALL the leaves and stems at once. This may be too much of a shock for your jade plant, and you might end up losing it. Plus, all of those open wounds on the plant could lead to rot, which can quickly kill the entire main stem. But, you can give it a good pruning on some of the longest stems, then wait until you see new growth on those stems you cut off before you prune the rest of the plant. That way, if any of the stems do start to rot, you can cut them off to stop the rot from spreading. Jade plants can be propagated from any part of the stem, so the answer to your second question is also yes. You can propagate all of your jade cuttings, no matter what size the stems are.
Sheila Ann Kelly says
I am pretty familiar with what mealybugs look like, but this is not a raised “webbing” that I see. I was thinking more along the line of a fungus. What I see are patches of this white substance. It blends in with the leaf so well that you can only see it if looking up close. I will try alcohol swabs to see if that removes it, as alcohol works on many things! Thanks for your response.
Sheila Ann Kelly says
Amy,
I have a well established jade plant. When trimming it up for cuttings today, I noticed a fine whitish coloration on the larger leaves and some of the woody and non-woody stems. The leaves have a faint web like appearance. The stems contain more of an intermittent coating. From a distance, this coloration is not visible. The coating seems to come off the leaves with a damp finger. Can you tell me what this might be and how to treat it?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Uh oh, sounds like mealybugs to me… How To Kill Mealybugs On Houseplants
David Parker says
I have a jade start that rooted and now has 4 sets of leaves. It is a single stem about about 4 inches tall. Should I pinch out the top immature set of leaves to make it branch or will it happen on its own?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would wait to do any pinching until your jade plant gets a bit larger. But yes, if you pinch the new growth it will branch out.
Irene Tillis says
I have a large Jade that had a woody hard stem but leaves began falling off and now a main part of one of the stems has broken and its mushy with water inside. I very rarely water this plant! the soil is very dry and its in a corner with very low sunlight, can you suggest anything?, I also have these small flying knats? around all of my plants, tried a natural soap spray but seems to help very little and I am making sure there is no standing water in pots, I am very frustrated this winter!, I love my house plants!, hope you can help! thank you lots!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Uh oh, it sounds like your jade plant is rotting. If the main stem is that mushy, then the only way to save your jade plant will be to cut off all the rot, then take the healthy cuttings and propagate them. The gnats that are flying around are likely fungus gnats. That is another sure sign that the plant has been overwatered. Soil gnats thrive in moist soil, and they also feed on the rotting plant material. Maybe someone else was trying to help by watering your jade plant without you knowing it?
Here’s a link to a post I wrote about general jade plant care… Jade Plant Care Guide
Beth says
I got a jade leaf months ago and let the end cure. I placed it on top of succulent soil and kept misting it. It started putting it a couple of small roots and the started what looked like some leaves. It stopped growing after this state and has remained unchanged despite misting and adequate light. Is it dead? I don’t want to give people on it because I’m not sure. Thank you for any help provided.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Humm… is it mushy or dried out? If it’s still firm, green and healthy looking, then it might just be because it’s fall. Jade plants don’t grow as aggressively in the fall and winter as they do during the spring and summer. You could try adding bottom heat the help encourage it to grow. Hope this helps.
Beth says
It seems dry, but still is green. It’s as if it started and then just froze like that. I got the lead cutting in May. I’m assuming it’s dead because I try to water it and there has been no changes. It gets enough light.
Amy Andrychowicz says
The fact that it’s still green is promising though. If the leaves are firm and a healthy green color, then I wouldn’t give up. Jade plant leaves will shrivel up and turn yellow or gray when they die, and eventually dry up and drop from the plant. So if it’s a healthy green, then it might just have gone dormant for the winter. Mine doesn’t grow much during the winter months.
Patty Hapeman says
I have a large jade plant that was my mother-inlaws. Full of leaves and beautiful when I got it two years ago. The leaves just keep falling off and now almost bare but the base is probably 2-3 in diameter and is still solid not rotting. Should I replant and cut back and will it come back?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If the base of the plant isn’t rotting, then maybe you’re not watering it enough. Do the leaves shrivel and dry up before the drop off? I wouldn’t repot a plant that’s that stressed out. I would also check to make sure it doesn’t have any bugs like mealy bugs or spider mites, those will cause the leaves to drop off too.
Patty Hapeman says
The pot it is in has a crack in it so maybe the water is running out and not getting enough water. the leaves are drying up and falling off. I don’t see any bugs.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, that sounds like it could be the problem then. I would try watering it a bit more often, and once it start to recover, repot it into a new pot. Good luck!
Gary says
I gave my jade plant a haircut and want to use some cuttings for new plants. The cuttings I have have leaves all the way down. Can I pinch off all the lower leaves, let them dry and then dip in hormone and place in the soil? Your description only has the cuts at the end.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, pinch off the leaves before letting the cutting cure, just as you describe. 🙂
Just Me says
Does the hormone get put on before or after the callus?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Dust with rooting hormone after the cutting has callused over.
Just Me says
Many thanks! I’m doing a large branch. Let’s see how this goes. 😛
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Hope it will root for you! 🙂
Charlotte King says
Thank you! I too was confused over that step. I am getting ready to take my first cuttings off of my “Parent” Jade plant. I’m in my early 60’s and although I’ve gardened all of my life, I’d never done any inside gardening. Never had the time nor the inclination, I’d suppose. But during the past two years I’ve grown more and more fond of Succulents first for our neighborhood community garden, and then for my own space, which is now limited to the balcony of my condo. From there it was but a matter of time til I began acquiring them for my inside space, lol. I am finding them to be both beautiful and relatively forgiving for a beginner like myself.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Succulents are so much fun to grow, and addicting. I have quite the collection myself. 🙂
kim geiser says
Do you have any tips on propagating ripple jade? I haven’t had success with individual leaves – they just dry up. My plant is small so I am hesitant to take larger cuttings. Now that it’s October I won’t find succulents in my local stores (I’m in NYC)
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can follow these steps for propagating any type of jade plant. If the leaves are just shriveling, that means they aren’t getting enough humidity. Mist them to keep the humidity level up and encourage them to grow roots. I also recommend using the rooting hormone I mention above. It’s funny that you can’t find succulents during in the fall at your local stores. Houseplants seem to be everywhere around here in the fall. 🙂
Mon says
I planted a pretty large leg in some soil (probably a foot long with a few branches with little bundles of leaves on the end). It’s been a couple weeks and I noticed little white roots (?) growing from the bundles of leaves at the end of the legs. Not sure what I should do? Are these roots and if so, should I cut the end bundles off and replant in soil?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, those sound like roots on the stems to me. Can you tell if the main branch you planted is getting roots yet? Definitely check the base of the main jade plant cutting to make sure it’s not soft and mushy, or has other signs of rot. If the cutting still feels firm or it’s showing signs of having roots, then I wouldn’t worry about it. You can cut off the pieces with roots and plant those too if you want.
Jenny says
I have actually just taken some jade clippings, planted them in pots right away and watered frequently. They are thriving. No fuss whatsoever. I came to this idea after seeing that so many little broken branches laying on the ground have developed roots.
Amy Andrychowicz says
That is so great Jenny, I love it! It’s so much fun to propagate jade plants!
Dana says
I pinched off a 3 inch long leaf from my mom’s plant and brought it home. I placed it in a glass of water about3 weeks back. It got nice roots and yeaterday I placed it in half dirt from the back yard half potting soil and watered it. Then today I looked up information on a snake plant and found this site. Seems I’ve done everything wrong. I’ll have to wait and see if it continues to grow despite my stupidity. Oh and it’s January not summer!
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, don’t feel bad!! It sounds like what you’re doing is working great! Experimentation is all part of the fun! And, if your jade plant has roots and is growing fine in it’s new pot, then you have nothing to worry about!
Sarah says
My grandmother started jade plants in water too. She used wax paper over the top of the glass and cut a hole just big enough to hold the leaf while it rooted. I don’t think she ever planted hers in anything but potting soil. She had a ton of African violets in her “sunroom” and they were her real passion. The jades she had were on the shadowy back porch and on a table in the living room. She liked to gift them to people. They didn’t grow as large as my mother’s (dentist) employer’s plant though: I would say it was close to 6-feet tall the last time I saw it! It was quite impressive! I have no idea how old it was.
I also rooted jades in water but I die start one once just by sticking the leaf into the soil. I gave it a small amount of water from the bottom and it seemed to be enough. We had to give away our plants when we moved interstate but it was growing pretty well too when my friend took it.
Your plant will probably be just fine, Dana. The plant is a survivor. That’s why my grandmother gave so many jades to beginners!
Janet QueenofSeaford says
Mine are so leggy right now, perhaps it is time to give them a good haircut and make some new plants.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, this is the perfect time to propagate your jade plants! Plus if you share them with friends, they will love you! 🙂
Will says
If your Jade is getting long and smaller leaves there is a likely reason…. Your feeding them overall too much… Change out the soil and not too big a pot either and start again with cactus mix and hormone and in no time you will have a new supply and plenty to give away…Do not be afraid to cut out a way smaller tree with big trunk, from your tied up lanky but I love this plant plant… and let the leaves fill in later..if you have the time and space in a year you will have many many nice plants to share…again use smaller pots rather than bigger so the soil IN the pot can dry out completely…in darker winter months in the north withold all water from Nov till Feb bring out of dormancy in March but slowly water till growing season in summer… If you have the space all those leases dryed for a couple days then just flat them up in sand will get new plantlets themselves in a month or so…more free plants…
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks for sharing your jade plant propagation and care tips!