3 Ways to Propagate a Jade Plant

One of the most rewarding aspects of caring for houseplants is when they grow big enough to propagate and share with loved ones. And if you have a jade plant, you'll be happy to know that this is one of the easiest plants to propagate. It often loses leaves or branches throughout its lifetime, which you can then use to make additional succulents.

Jade plants can be propagated in a few different ways, and the method you choose ultimately comes down to personal preference. Ahead, plant experts share their tips for propagating a jade plant through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, as well as how to propagate the succulent in water.

When to Propagate a Jade Plant

A jade plant can be propagated at any time of year, but it typically roots faster during spring and summer when the plant is actively growing, says Johanna Hutchins, orchid floriculturist for Chicago Botanic Garden. Warmer temperatures and more light also provide faster rooting.

How to Prepare a Jade Plant for Propagation

There are multiple ways to propagate a jade plant, but each method must start the same way: by allowing the leaf or stem cuttings to dry out for a couple of days in a warm, bright place. "This allows the cut to develop a callus, which roots more readily and is less likely to rot than freshly cut tissue," says Justin Hancock horticulturist for Costa Farms.

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How to Propagate a Jade Plant Using the Leaf

If a leaf has fallen off of your jade plant, use it to make another plant rather than discarding it. "Make sure the entire leaf is intact and there isn’t a small segment left on the stem," says Hutchins.

1. Gently twist a leaf to remove it from the plant (or use one that has already fallen).
2. Let the leaf sit out for a few days to allow the end to form a callus.
3. Once it has formed a callus, fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix.
4. Place the leaf on top of the potting mix.
5. Water thoroughly, then let it dry out before watering again.

How to Propagate a Jade Plant Using the Stem

Propagating with the stem creates a larger plant in a shorter amount of time than propagating by leaves, says Hutchins. When choosing a stem to propagate, make sure it has two to three leafless nodes (bumps on the stem where leaves and roots grow) at the bottom as well as some leaves at the top. To achieve this, you may need to remove a few of the lower leaves on the cut stem, but make sure to leave a few leaves at the top, she says.

1. Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, remove a stem from the plant.
2. Let the cutting sit out for a few days to allow the cut end to form a callus.
3. Once it has formed a callus, fill a small pot with well-draining potting mix.
4. Put the cutting directly into the soil.
5. Water thoroughly, then let it dry out before watering again.
   

How to Propagate a Jade Plant in Water

It is possible to propagate a jade plant in water, but this method should only be chosen as a last resort. "Water propagation increases the chance of the cutting rotting and also makes the transition for the rooted cutting more difficult when it’s taken out of the water and planted in well-draining soil," says Hancock. Because of this, soil propagation is generally more reliable and results in stronger, better-adapted roots.

1. Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, remove a stem from the plant.
2. Let the cutting sit out for a few days to allow the cut end to form a callus.
3. Once it has formed a callus, fill a container with water.
4. Put the cutting directly into the water, but make sure the leaves stay above the water line.
5. Switch out the water once a week while monitoring for root growth. 
6. Once roots are 1 to 2 inches long, transfer to well-draining potting mix. (Roots typically appear in 4 to 6 weeks.)