Jade plants are easy to grow and maintain, and are therefore a common choice for many amateur gardeners. They don't require a lot of water and can live for several years. In addition, they can also be easily grown from small cuttings. If you want to grow your own jade plant, learn how to care for and maintain it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Farming from a stake
Step 1. Choose a stake
If you have a large jade plant or know someone who does, you can grow more plants by cutting a stem from the larger one. Try to choose a part of the plant with a thick stem and healthy leaves.
Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the stem. Leave a little space between the underside of the stem and the leaves so you don't have to remove them when planting
Step 2. Let the stem dry a little
Giving it a few days to dry and form a scab will help keep your jade plant healthy as it takes root. You just need to leave the stake in a dry place until it feels a little dry. A scab should have formed at the point where the stem was cut.
The wider the stake, the longer this process will take. It will also take longer if you do it in winter rather than in hot summer months
Step 3. Apply a hormone to the roots
The hormone or tonic is a mixture of hormones from different plants that will help make the cuttings grow better. You can make your own tonic or buy one.
- If purchasing a commercial toner, you must follow the instructions provided. In general, the product will be applied directly to the stem that will be placed in the ground. Apply this application right before planting.
- This step is optional. While it can increase the chances of success, jade plants are known to be good at taking root on their own.
Step 4. Fill a container with the correct soil
Do not use regular potting soil for jade as it is too heavy for this plant to take root. Instead, buy a specific soil for succulents or mix your own. Keep in mind that jades need a well-draining soil.
- You can make your own soil by mixing sand, perlite and some type of compost. Succulents prefer well-draining soil, so it is important to avoid common potting soil. All these ingredients can be found in a nursery.
- If you are concerned about soil drainage, use a clay pot instead of a plastic one. There must be a hole at the bottom through which the water can escape. If there is a dish under the vase, always remove excess water.
- Jades don't need a lot of space, so if your stake is small, you can use a small vase.
Step 5. Plant the jade
Use your finger or a pencil to make a small hole in the ground big enough for the stem to fit. Place the stem in the hole until it covers the hormone, if you used any. If you haven't used the hormone, push the stem deep enough so the plant can stand on its own.
Compact the soil a little around the stem. You don't need to compress it too much as this will make it difficult to drain. Just compress it enough so that the stem gets stuck in the pot
Step 6. Place the plant in a sunny location
It is important that the plant is in a sunny place, but not in direct sunlight or the leaves will be burned. Within three to four weeks, you will notice new growth on the plant. This is a good sign that she has taken root.
- Avoid the temptation to water the jade while it is taking root. Watering will increase the chance of stem rot and can kill the plant.
- Once the jade has taken root, you can move it to a larger pot if you like.
- If the plant doesn't seem to be taking root and it's only been a few weeks, wait a little longer. Succulents take root easily, so maybe you haven't given the jade enough time. Alternatively, you can carefully remove the cutting from the pot to see if the roots are growing. Just don't do it too often, as this will delay the process.
Part 2 of 3: Taking care of a jade plant
Step 1. Allow to dry before watering
Jades are succulent, which means that although they need water, they don't need much. If you touch the soil and it's wet, the plant doesn't need water. On the other hand, if you notice that the leaves are starting to wilt, you'll know the plant isn't getting enough water.
- Stick your finger about 2.5 cm in the ground. If it's dry, you can water it. If it's still wet, you don't need more water.
- In the winter months, the plant will likely need even less watering than usual, so check the soil often.
- Many people recommend watering succulents by shoving the entire pot into a tub of water, which allows the plant to soak up the liquid at the bottom. However, you can also water the plant by pouring water into the pot on top. The most important thing is to allow excess water to be removed from the pot.
- Do not leave the jade plant in water. If you notice that there is an excess of liquid, empty the plate.
- Avoid getting the leaves wet when watering.
Step 2. Place the plant in a sunny location
Jade needs a lot of sunlight, but that doesn't mean it has to stay in the sun all day. Avoid placing it in a north-facing window as it will likely burn. Instead, look for a location where the plant receives three to five hours of sunlight a day.
- Move the plant in steps. For example, if you're keeping the jade in a dark corner but want to take it to a lighted railing, don't put it straight into the new place. Such an extreme change can cause the leaves to burn and fall off. Instead, move the plant slowly so it has time to adjust. For example, take it out of the dark corner and place it where it can receive an hour of indirect sunlight. Leave it there for at least a few days before taking it to an area with a little more sun and continue until you reach the desired location.
- If you notice that the edges of the leaves are turning brown, the plant is probably getting too much sun.
Step 3. Keep the plant tidy
If any leaves of it fall into the vase, remove them. You can also prune jade to keep it healthy. In that case, you can remove whatever you want, but avoid messing with the main stem too much or you could kill the plant.
Cutting the new growths will help keep the plant in a more bushy and less spiky shape
Step 4. Bring the plant to the right temperature
Jades are very hardy and easy to keep alive, so you don't have to worry too much about the temperature. Leave them in a room at room temperature, ie do not place the plant in a north-facing window where it will receive direct sunlight most of the day.
In winter, they prefer a slightly cooler temperature, around 13°C
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining the jade plant
Step 1. Change the soil every two to four years
Although you can leave the plant in the same pot for years as long as you don't overwater it, changing the soil every two to four years will give you a chance to inspect the roots for damage or rot. Also, giving the jade some cool, dry soil will help keep it going well.
If you notice that a jade you've had for years isn't doing well anymore, replanting it can help it grow back
Step 2. Clean the leaves to remove dust
If your plant is dusty, you can use a soft cloth to dust it off. Alternatively, if it's a rainy day, you can leave it outside to help clean up the dust.
However, if the leaves get wet, they need to dry completely. A plant with water left in its leaves can rot or develop mold
Step 3. Take care of insect infestations
This is not a common problem, but jade plants can become infested. If you notice a problem with scale insects on the plant, use some isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab to clean the leaves.
- When looking for insects, look for small, fluffy white deposits on the leaves. They indicate the presence of pests. Also, you can use a magnifying glass to identify red spiders, too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- Avoid using insecticidal soap on the plant as it can damage the leaves.