Jade Plant Propagation: How to Multiply Your Jade Plant

Jades like many succulents are quite easy to propagate. They store a lot of moisture in their leaves, which helps them survive longer without roots compared to plants with thin leaves. In this blog post, I will answer all your jade plant propagation questions using examples of rooting a leaf, a stem, and a woody stem.

Jade Cuttings

If you’re reading up on Jade Plant propagation, you either have a cutting from someone or you’re planning to take some cuttings. Read my post on Jade Plant pruning for a step-by-step if need more information than is provided below.

Propagating Jade Plant Leaves

You can propagate a new Jade Plant from a single leaf. Ideally, you want the entire leaf including the little rounded part that connects to the stem. If that breaks off you can still propagate the leaf, but your chances of success may be lower.

Propagating Jade Plant Stems

Jade Plants can also be propagated from a stem. If you are taking a cutting be sure to do so at a node, the thin lines that encircle your stem. You can also cut where the stem connects to another stem or the trunk, which means you are completely removing the stem. If you have a stem that broke off rather than a purposeful cut, that can still work. It's best to trim up the broken end if you can so that it's clean and smooth. A clean-cut will resist disease better.

Propagating Woody Stems

When Jade Plants become mature their stems begin to turn woody, or brown. This is healthy growth. It actually the way your plant becomes stronger to support the weight of all the new growth. You can propagate woody stems just like regular stems. Make cutting at the node or stem connection.

Let the Jade Cutting Callous Over

The open wound of your Jade cutting needs to dry and callous over. This typically takes a few days. Allowing the wound to dry will minimize its exposure to bacteria and fungi from your propagation medium. If your cutting is fighting bacteria or fungi, then it will lower your chances of successful propagation.

Dip Your Jade Plant in Rooting Hormone

Next, you want to dip your Jade cutting in rooting hormone. Even if you do a moderate amount of propagating, one jar will probably last you a lifetime. I think I’ve been using the same jar for eight years. Can you propagate without it? Yes, but it’s an inexpensive way to improve your chances of success. This particular rooting hormone uses Indole-3-butyric acid, which is similar to a naturally occurring root hormone.

How to Use Rooting Hormone

Once your Jade cutting has calloused over, moisten the end. Dip the moistened end into the rooting hormone, then shake off the excess. I like to pour a little out into a pile and dip it. Some people dip straight into the container. In my opinion, it’s possible to contaminate the whole jar with bacteria or fungi if you do it that way.

What Medium Should You Use to Propagate?

Jade Plant Proagation in Water

To root Jade plants in water you will need a clean vessel to hold your cuttings. I prefer a clear glass so I can monitor the cutting and see when roots form. Only the tip of the leaf or stem should be submerged in the water. If more of the stem or leaves have contact with water, you are risking some disease. I use some bamboo skewers to hold my cuttings in place. A shallow dish may work better for you. Every few days it’s a good idea to freshen up the water. You want to do this because some water will have evaporated, but also it can start to grow algae too.

Jade Plant Propagation in Soil

You can also root Jade Plants in soil. Potting soil mixed with perlite or some coarse sand will work fine. Potting soil alone can work, but it's typically made to retain moisture so you will need to be cognizant of that and monitor your cutting. Lay your leaf or stem cutting on top of the soil or barely in the soil to root. This method allows you to see when the roots have formed.

You can also bury your cutting in the soil about an inch deep. I only recommend doing this with stem cuttings and not with leaves. It will make your leaves susceptible to rot. In addition, make sure the leaves of your stems are not buried in the soil. If you have large cuttings as I do, it can be difficult to keep them upright and only one inch deep in the soil. You can also use bamboo skewers to try and prop them up. I tend to lie these flat because that’s too precarious for me.

How to Care For Your Jade Cuttings While Propagating

Water Propagation Care

If you are water propagating your Jade Plant, then I suggest you change out your water every three to four days. This keeps algae from forming and also ensures your cutting is touching the water. Jade roots are fairly hardy, but it’s still a good idea to be careful while switching the water once roots have formed.

Soil Propagation Care

For soil propagated Jade Plants it’s best to try and keep the soil damp, but not moist. I know that sounds tough. I think the best way to do this is to use a spray bottle to wet your soil. If you’re keeping it damp you will most likely need to spray every day or every other day. If your soil isn’t dry by the second day, you’re probably keeping too wet which may result in rot.

How Much Light do Jade Cuttings Need

It’s good to keep your Jade cuttings in some light. Do not keep it in bright direct light this will make your cutting and soil dry out faster and may affect your chances of successful propagation. A good place to keep your cutting might be a few feet away from a window with good light. That will ensure it’s getting light, but reduce the intensity of light.

How Long Does it Take a Jade Plant to Root

Generally, it takes about two to three weeks for a Jade Plant to start to grow roots. Woody stems seem to take longer than leaves and green stems to root. You want to wait until your cutting has a decent root structure forming before you pot it up. What is a decent root structure? When there are enough roots that you can plant the leaf or stem into a pot and it can stand up with minimal support.

Signs to Give up on Rooting a Jade Cuttings

It’s okay if you don’t see root growth for a long time. Don’t give up! Keep up with the tips in the Care section above. If your cutting has become squishy and discolored, it’s probably rotting and it’s time to give up. Don’t worry if your cutting starts to become wrinkly. Jades hold a lot of moisture so there’s still hope. Once your cutting goes from wrinkly to crispy is when it’s time to give up.

I will post updated pictures and timelines once these Jade cuttings root.

What’s your Jade Plant propagation process? Was this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments.