The jade plant or Crassula ovata is a type of succulent, which is a plant with thick fleshy stems or leaves. This plant is easy to grow and maintain, and that's why jade is preferred by plant lovers. Jade plants do not require much water and can live for several years. In addition, jade can also be grown easily from a small piece. If you want to grow your own, learn how to grow, care for, and care for a jade plant.
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Part 1 of 3: Growing Jade Plants from Cuttings
Step 1. Select the stem to be cut
If the existing jade plant is large, you can breed more jade by cutting the jade stems from the largest plant. Choose plant parts that have thick stems and healthy leaves.
Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the stems. Leave a few inches between the tip of the cut stem and the bottom leaf so you don't have to remove a single leaf when you plant it
Step 2. Allow the stems to dry slightly
Allowing the jade cuttings for a few days to dry and crust will keep these little plants healthy as they begin to grow roots. All you have to do is leave the jade plant pieces in a dry place until the tips look a little dry. The ends of the stems will appear crusty.
The larger the stem you cut, the longer it will take to dry. The length of time will also be longer if you do it in the rainy season compared to the warm dry season months
Step 3. Apply root hormone
Root hormone (also called root tonic) is a mixture of many different plant hormones that will help stem cuttings have a greater chance of growing. You can make your own root hormone or buy commercial root hormone.
- If you purchased a commercial root hormone, follow the instructions provided. However, in general you can apply root hormone directly to the stems that will be planted in the soil. Apply just before the stems are planted.
- To avoid contamination of the root hormone bottle, pour a small amount of the hormone into the container. Use the hormone in the container for the stems that have been cut and discard the rest of the hormone. That way, the remaining hormones in the bottle will remain pure.
- This step is optional. While this would increase the chance of survival, the jade plant is known for its ability to grow its own roots.
Step 4. Fill the container with proper soil
Do not use regular soil as it is too heavy for the jade to grow roots. So buy soil specially formulated for succulents or make your own mix and add a few handfuls of sand for good drainage. The key is that jade plants need well-draining soil.
- You can make your own soil mixture by mixing a combination of sand, perlite, and some sort of compost. Succulents prefer soil that dries quickly, so don't use regular soil. You can find all the materials you need at a flower shop.
- If you're worried that the drainage isn't good enough, just use a clay pot instead of a plastic pot. Make sure there is a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, where the water can escape. If you put a tray/cup under the pot, always dry the water.
- Jade plants do not require a large growing space. So, if the size of the stem cuttings is small, just use a pot that is also small.
Step 5. Plant the jade
Use your finger or a pencil to make a small hole in the soil (big enough to plant a jade stalk into it). Place the stem into the hole until the root hormone is covered, if you use one. Otherwise, just plant the stems deep enough for the plant to stand on its own firmly.
- Compact the soil fairly loosely around the cuttings. Do not overcrowd because it will hinder drainage. Just compress it until it is dense enough to make the stem cuttings stand firmly in the pot.
- If this method of growing stem cuttings directly doesn't work, try growing the roots of the jade plant in water. Place the stem cuttings in the container with the base of the stem just above the water level. This way, the stems will begin to take root and you can plant them.
Step 6. Place the plant in a sunny place
Young jade plants should be placed in a bright place, but do not place them in direct sunlight as the leaves will burn. In three to four weeks, you will see new shoots on the top of the plant. This is a good sign that the plant is well rooted.
- Do not water the plant during root growth. Watering the plant will make the stem rot as well as damage the roots that are starting to grow.
- Once the jade plant has taken root, move it to a larger pot if you wish.
- If the plant doesn't seem rooted even though it's been a few weeks since it's been planted, wait a little longer. Succulents can take root easily, it's just a matter of time. Alternatively, you can gently lift the stem cuttings out of the pot to see if the roots are growing. However, do not do it too often because it will slow down the growth process.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Jade Plants
Step 1. Allow the soil to dry before you water it again
Jade plants are succulents. That is, even though they need water, they need only a little. If the soil feels moist to the touch, the plant doesn't need water yet. On the other hand, if you see the leaves begin to wilt, it means the plant is running out of water.
- Stick your finger into the ground up to the first knuckle. If the soil feels dry, water it. If it still feels damp, you don't need to water it.
- In the rainy months, jade plants will most likely need to be watered less frequently than usual. So, make sure you always check the soil.
- Many people recommend watering succulents by submerging the pot in a bucket of water. That way, the plant absorbs water from the hole in the bottom of the pot. However, you can also water plants by pouring water from the top of the pot. The important thing is that the remaining water in the pot can drain properly.
- Do not allow the jade plant to be submerged in water. If there is stagnant water in the tray/cup, throw it away immediately.
- Do not let the leaves get wet when the plant is watered.
Step 2. Place the jade plant in a bright place
Jade does need a lot of sun, but that doesn't mean you can put it out in the sun all day. Do not place the jade plant in a south-facing window, as the plant can be burned by the scorching rays of the sun. Instead, look for a place that can shine the jade for 3 to 5 hours a day.
Move the plant gradually. For example, if you put jade in a dark corner and want to move it to a lighted window sill, don't just pick it up and place it near the window. An extreme change like this will cause the jade leaves to burn and fall off. Instead, gradually move the plant to give it time to adapt. For example, move the plant from a dark corner to a place that gets an hour of indirect sunlight. Leave the plant there for a few days before moving it to a place that gets more sunlight. Do these steps gradually until the plant has actually moved to where you want it
Step 3. Keep the plants clean
If any leaves fall into the pot, throw them away. You can also prune the plant to keep it healthy. You can trim the jade by removing all the parts you want, but don't disturb the main stem or the plant may die.
Cutting off new shoots will keep the plant bush-like and will prevent it from growing tall and thin
Step 4. Keep the plant at the right temperature
Jade plants are very hardy and easy to care for. So, you don't have to worry too much about whether the surrounding air temperature is right. Just put the jade at room temperature. This means that you should not place it in front of a south-facing window, where the jade will get direct sunlight most of the day.
In the rainy season, the jade plant can live with cooler temperatures, which is up to 13°C
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Jade Plants
Step 1. Change the soil every two years
While you can leave the plant in the same pot for years as long as it's not over-watered, changing the soil every two years will give you a chance to check the roots for damage or rot. In addition, the new, dry soil will allow the plants to continue to thrive.
If your jade plant that you've had for years doesn't seem healthy anymore, moving it to a new location will help bring it back to life
Step 2. Wipe the leaves to remove dust
If the jade plant looks dusty, use a soft cloth to gently remove the dust. Alternatively, if it's raining, just place the plant outside to wash off the dust.
However, if the leaves are wet, dry them until they are completely dry. Leaves that are left watery will rot or get moldy
Step 3. Protect plants from pests
Pests are not a common problem with jade, but the plant can also be affected by pests. If you notice a problem with tiny mealybugs on your plant, just use a little bit of spirit and a cotton swab to wipe the affected leaves.
- When inspecting for pests, look for tiny white, fluffy clumps on the leaves. This is a sign that there are pests there. Also, you can use a magnifying glass to identify red spiders that are too small to see with the naked eye.
- Do not use insecticidal soap on the plant as it can damage the leaves.
