How to Grow a Jade Plant

The jade plant (also known as the witch hazel) is a succulent plant. Jade plants are easy to grow and maintain, making them a popular choice for many plant lovers. This plant does not require much water and can live for many years. In addition, you can also easily propagate jade plants by small branches. If you want to grow your own jade plant, learn the techniques of growing, caring for, and maintaining the plant.

Table of Contents

Growing jade plants from branches

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Choose branches. If you have a large jade tree (or know someone who does), you can grow more by cutting branches from a large tree. Try to choose the part with thick branches and lush leaves. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut branches. Remember to leave a few inches between the lower end of the branch and the leaves on the branch so that you don’t have to cut the leaves when you put the branch in the ground.

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Wait for the branch to dry out a bit. You should wait a few days for the branch to dry out and scab over to help keep your little jade plant healthy during its rooting time. You just need to leave the branch in a dry place to dry out a bit, when the cut part of the branch has a layer of scabs on it. ^{[2] X Research Source}

The bigger the branch, the longer the wait time. If it’s in the winter, you may also have to wait longer than in the warm summer months.

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Use rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is a mixture of plant hormones that helps the branches grow better. ^{[3] X Research Source} You can make your own or buy this hormone.

If you buy a hormone that’s over-the-counter, you should follow the product’s instructions. However, you will normally dip the stem directly into the rooting hormone just before planting. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
To avoid contaminating the hormone bottle, pour a small amount into the pot. Use the potion to do this step and discard the excess. So the remaining medicine in the bottle is still clean.
This step is not required. Although rooting hormone increases the chances of a plant growing, jade plants are capable of rooting on their own without the need for hormones.

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Pour the right soil into the pot. Regular potting soil should not be used for jade plants, as this is often too dense to make it difficult for the plant to take root. Instead, buy a soil made specifically for succulents or mix your own and add a handful of sand to increase drainage. It’s important to remember that jade plants need well-drained soil. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can make your own potting soil by mixing a mixture of sand, perlite, and a compost. Succulents prefer soil that drains easily, so it’s important to avoid regular potting soil. You can find all of the above ingredients at the nursery. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Penn State Extension Go to Source}
If you’re worried about your plant not draining well, use a clay pot instead of a plastic one. Remember that the pot must have drainage holes in the bottom. If there is a drip tray on the bottom of the pot, be sure to empty the water.
The jade plant doesn’t need much space, so you only need to use a small pot if you are growing a small branch.

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Plant a tree. Use your finger or a pencil to poke a small hole in the soil (just wide enough to stick a branch in). Place the branch in the hole so that the part that has been dipped in the rooting stimulant (if used). If you don’t use hormones, you can simply stick the branch in the ground deep enough for the tree to stand upright on its own. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Compress the soil around the branches. You should not compress too tightly so as not to reduce the ability to drain. Just compress just enough for the branch to stay firmly in the pot.
If the method of planting branches directly into the ground doesn’t work, try soaking the branches in water to root them. Soak the branch in the water bottle so that the tip of the branch just sticks out of the water. The branch will start to take root, then you can plant it. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Place the plant in a sunny location. Seedlings need to be planted in a sunny place but without direct sunlight to avoid burning leaves. Within 3 to 4 weeks, you should see the tops sprouting. This is a good sign that the plant has taken root. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Don’t be impatient to water while the plant is rooting. Irrigation increases the risk of rotting and killing the growing plant.
Once the plant has taken root, you can consider transferring it to a larger pot if you wish.
If the plant doesn’t seem to be rooting, but it’s only been a few weeks, try waiting a little longer. Succulents are usually very easy to root, so the plant has not yet sprouted roots may be because the time is not yet. You can also gently pull out the branch to check if the roots have grown. However, do not do this often, as this only slows down the rooting process. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Caring for jade plants

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Let the plant dry out before watering. Jade plants are succulents, and this means that while they need water, they don’t need much. If you touch the soil and it feels wet, the plant doesn’t need to be watered yet. Conversely, if you see the leaves start to turn yellow, you know the plant is lacking water. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Prick your finger into the soil about a knuckle deep. If it feels dry, you can water it. If the soil is still wet, it means that the plant does not need to be watered. ^{[12] X Research Source}
During the winter months, the plant will need less water than usual, so be sure to test the soil. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Many people recommend watering succulents by submerging the pot in a pot of water so that the plant draws water from the bottom of the pot. However, you should also water the pot from the top down. The most important thing is that the water drains out through the bottom of the pot.
Do not allow the jade plant to become waterlogged. Be sure to empty the water if you see it running down the bottom of the pot.
Try not to get the leaves wet when watering.

Maintenance of jade tree

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Change the soil for planting every 2-4 years. While the plant can live in a pot for many years as long as you don’t over-water it, changing the soil every 2 or 4 years will help you check for damaged or rotting roots. In addition, fresh and dry soil will ensure that the plant continues to thrive. ^{[17] X Research Source}

If your jade plant is many years old and is no longer healthy, you should change the soil to help it recover.

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Wipe the dust on the leaves. If the plant collects dust, you can use a soft cloth to wipe the dust. Another way is to bring the tree outdoors when it rains so that the rainwater washes away the dust. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

However, if the leaves get wet, you need to make sure the leaves are completely dry. Plants with standing water on their leaves can rot or become infected with fungus.

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Beware of insect infestations. While not a common problem, jade plants can be infested with pests. If you find small mealybugs on the plant, you can use a cotton ball soaked in a little alcohol to clean the leaves. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Look for small, white, and fluffy streaks on leaves. It is a sign that the plant has aphids. In addition, you can use a magnifying glass to identify red spiders, which are difficult to see with the naked eye because they are so small. ^{[20] X Research Source}
Avoid using insecticide soaps on plants, as the leaves can be damaged.

Advice

If growing your jade plant outdoors, you need to bring it indoors during the winter months, before the frosts drop.

Warning

The jade plant can be toxic to dogs and cats. If you have cats or dogs in your home, be sure to keep jade plants out of their reach, or consider planting other plants that are not toxic to cats and dogs. ^{[21] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Steps

Growing jade plants from branches

Caring for jade plants

Maintenance of jade tree

Advice

Warning

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