Jade plant propagation is super easy, and there are a few methods that you can use. In this post I will talk about how to grow a jade plant from a leaf or stem cuttings, give you details about how to take a cutting, and show you exactly how to propagate jade plants, step-by-step.

Jade plant propagation from leaf or stem cuttings is very easy. In fact, jades are one of the best plants to start with if you’ve never tried propagating plants before.

I’ve had my jade plant for close to 20 years now, and I have propagated it many, many times over. It’s fun, and I love sharing the babies with my friends.

In this detailed guide, I am going to give you tons of tips, tell you the best methods to use, and when to do it.

Then I will show you step-by-step exactly how to root jade cuttings, both from leaves and stem clippings.

Jade Plant Propagation Methods

Jade plants can be propagated from stem or leaf cuttings. Keep in mind that it takes it takes a while to get a nice sized jade plant from leaf cuttings.

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So, if you want to get a head start, and don’t want to wait so long, then I recommend propagating jade plant stem cuttings instead of the leaves.

But, either method is super easy and works great! Below I will show you both jade plant propagation methods, step-by-step.

Related Post: Plant Propagation: A Detailed Guide For Beginners

When To Propagate Jade Plants

Jade cuttings need a warm, humid but well ventilated environment to grow roots. So, summer is the perfect time for jade plant propagation.

Jade plants are extremely easy to propagate during the warmest months of the year. Many times a branch or leaf will break off and start to grow roots in the soil without any help from you.

But, with the right conditions, you can propagate your jade any time during the year.

Supplies For Propagating Jade Plants

Before I jump into showing you how to propagate a jade plant, you may want to collect some supplies first.

Don’t worry, you won’t need a ton of expensive propagation supplies for rooting jade plant cuttings, but you will need a few things…

Supplies Needed:

  • Jade plant stem cuttings or leaves
  • Succulent potting soil (or mix your own using perlite, potting soil, and coarse sand)
  • Plant rooting hormone
  • Clean pots (I use 4″ pots for mine)
  • Pair of clippers

See my detailed list of the best plant propagation supplies here.

How To Propagate Jade Plant From Cuttings

The fastest way to get a decent sized jade plant is to grow them from stem cuttings. You can propagate any size stem cutting, even huge ones.

So, if a branch broke off or you have a broken stem on your jade plant, then try propagating it. If you’re pruning your jade plant, save the clippings for propagation.

Otherwise, if you just want to take a cutting specifically for propagating, here’s how…

How To Take A Cutting From A Jade Plant

The first step in jade plant propagation is to choose where you want to cut the stem to make a new plant.

If you’re taking stem cuttings, make sure to get at least a 3-4 inches of the stem so you have plenty of area for rooting the cutting. Use clean, sterile clippers or a knife to make the stem cutting.

You can dip your clippers in rubbing alcohol or wash them with soapy water to sterilize them before cutting jade stems.

If there are leaves growing down the entire stem, then remove a few sets of leaves. A jade plant cutting will root from the leaf joints all along the stem so the more leaf joints you have, the better the chances of roots.

Preparing A Jade Plant Cutting For Propagation

After taking a cutting from your jade plant, allow the ends of the cuttings to cure (dry out and callus over) for a few days before propagating.

This will help prevent rotting of the jade plant cutting. The larger the cutting 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 succulents during the winter.

How To Propagate Jade Plant From A Leaf

Jade plant leaf propagation is definitely possible, and it’s fun to experiment. However, it will take much longer for you to grow a large jade plant from leaves than it will from stem cuttings.

So keep that in mind before you go propagating a bunch of jade plant leaves. If a leaf is all you have to work with, or you want to give this method a try, here’s how to get started.

How To Take Leaf Cuttings

To successfully grow a jade plant from a leaf, you have to make sure to take the leaf cuttings correctly. If you’re planning to use the leaves for jade plant propagation, carefully break off each leaf.

Be sure to get the entire stem of the leaf when you break it off. If the bottom part is broken off of the leaf, then the leaf won’t root.

Preparing A Jade Leaf For Propagation

You don’t need to worry about curing leaf cuttings like you do with stem cuttings. It certainly won’t hurt to allow them to dry out for a few days before trying to root them.

But don’t let them sit for too long or they could shrivel up completely. You won’t be able to propagate jade leaves that are completely dried out.

How To Root Jade Plant Cuttings In Soil

The best way to root jade cuttings is by planting them in soil. Don’t use a closed propagation chamber or plastic baggie for this.

If the cuttings will get too much humidity, they will only end up rotting. Follow the steps below for rooting a jade plant cutting in soil…

Step 1: Dust jade cuttings in rooting hormone – Not only will the cuttings root faster when you use rooting hormone, you’ll have more success with starting a jade plant from cuttings when using it.

The rooting hormone will help the cuttings root faster, and I highly recommend using it. To use it, simply dust the stem of your jade clippings, or the cut end of the leaves with rooting hormone.

Related Post: How To Choose The Best Jade Plant Soil

Step 2: Fill your container with soil – Loosely fill a container with your soil mixture. Jade plants will root best in a light, sandy soil that contains a mix of coarse sand, potting soil and perlite.

General potting soil alone is usually too heavy for propagating a jade plant, and can cause the cuttings to rot.

If you don’t want to mix your own, I recommend using a commercial succulent soil mix to propagate your jade plant clippings.

Step 3: Make a hole in the soil for the stem – Next use a pencil or your finger to make a hole in the middle of the rooting mixture for the jade plant cutting.

Gently place the cutting into the hole so the rooting hormone won’t rub off. Then lightly pack the soil around the base of the cutting so it stays in place, and the soil is in contact with the stem.

If you’re growing a jade plant from a leaf, then you don’t need to make a hole. You can simply lay the leaves over the top of the soil, or you can cover the cut end with a thin layer of soil.

Step 4: Move your jade cutting to a protected area – Put the jade plant cutting in a spot where it will be protected from full sun. Don’t water your jade cutting until it has roots.

If the air is really dry, then lightly mist the cutting daily with water using a plant sprayer/mister. Be careful though, they don’t need very much humidity.

Once you start to see new growth on the top of the jade plant cutting, that’s a good sign that it has started to grow roots.

Related Post: How to Propagate Succulents From Cuttings

How Long Does It Take For Jade Cuttings To Root?

If you’re wondering how long it takes for jade cuttings to grow roots… well, that depends on the environment they’re in.

If the air is super dry, then it will take longer for your cuttings to grow roots. In the right conditions, it usually takes 2-3 weeks the cuttings to start forming roots.

Related Post: Why Your Jade Plant Is Turning Red & What To Do About It

Repotting Jade Plant Cuttings

Once the roots have formed on your jade plant cutting, 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 jade plant cuttings into larger pots.

If you tend to overwater plants, put your jade plant into a clay pot rather than a plastic pot.

The best type of soil to use for potting jade plant cuttings is succulent potting soil. You can also use a gritty mix, or you can make your own using my succulent mix recipe.

Look at all these cute little baby jade plants I have now. Jade plant propagation sounds like it would be hard, but it is super easy! Now that you know how to grow jade plants from leaf and stem cuttings, you’ll have tons of free plants! They make great gifts, and are fun to share with friends.

If you want to learn how to propagate even more of your favorite plants, then my Plant Propagation eBook is for you! It will teach you the basic methods or propagation, and has everything you need to get started propagating any plant that you want. Download your copy today!

Next, learn exactly how to care for your jade plant in my detailed jade plant care guide!

  • Succulents Simplified
  • The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
  • Idiot’s Guides: Succulents
  • Winter Houseplant Care

More About Plant Propagation

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Share your jade plant propagation tips in the comments section below.