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Pruning your jade plant is an easy way to keep it healthy, encourage new growth, and shape it to your liking. With its thick, woody stems and fleshy leaves, this succulent responds well to trimming when done correctly.

But when is the best time to prune – and how can you do it without harming the plant?

Let’s go over the key tips for pruning your jade plant to keep it thriving.

Easy Jade Plant Care Guide 💚

 Want one? Grab your very own Jade Plant here!

💧 Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Jade plants are succulents and prefer infrequent watering - overwatering can lead to root rot.

🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix - I personally use this succulent mix - to help prevent excess moisture.

☀️ Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, but Jade Plants can also handle some direct sunlight. Too little light can cause leggy growth.

🌡️ Temperature: Keep your Jade Plant in a room between 65-75°F (18-24°C). They tolerate warmer conditions but should be kept away from cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C).

🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a diluted, balanced fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro fertilizer) once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant is dormant.

Jade Plant Pruning Basics

Pruning jade plants helps maintain their shape and health. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy.

Proper pruning techniques can also promote better branching and create a more attractive, compact appearance.

Best Time to Prune Jade Plants

Spring and summer are ideal for pruning jade plants. During these seasons, the plant is actively growing and can recover quickly from pruning. Avoid trimming in late fall or winter when growth slows down.

You can prune your jade plant any time you notice dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Remove these problem areas promptly to prevent issues from spreading. For major reshaping, wait until the plant is at least 2 years old.

If your jade plant has grown too tall, you can cut it back by up to one-third of its height. This encourages new growth and helps maintain a more manageable size.

Tools Required for Pruning

Clean, sharp tools are essential for pruning jade plants. Use pruning shears or sharp scissors for smaller branches and stems. For thicker branches, opt for loppers or a small pruning saw.

Sterilize your tools before and after use to prevent the spread of diseases. You can do this by wiping them with rubbing alcohol or a diluted bleach solution.

Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from the plant’s sap, which can cause skin irritation in some people. Keep a clean cloth nearby to wipe off any sap that gets on your tools during pruning.

Preparing to Prune

Before you start pruning your jade plant, it’s crucial to get everything ready. Proper preparation ensures a clean, safe pruning process that promotes healthy growth.

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Here’s what you need to do to set yourself up for success.

Sanitizing Your Tools

Clean tools are essential for jade plant pruning. Start by washing your pruning shears or scissors with soap and warm water. Rinse them thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

Next, sterilize the blades using rubbing alcohol or a diluted bleach solution. This step is vital to prevent the spread of diseases between plants.

For the bleach solution, mix one part bleach with nine parts water. Dip the blades in this mixture for about 30 seconds.

Alternatively, wipe the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. After sterilizing, let your tools air dry completely before use.

Identifying Areas to Prune

Take a close look at your jade plant to spot areas that need pruning. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches first. These will often appear brown, shriveled, or discolored.

(Alternatively, if you’re looking to grow your jade plant as a bonsai, check out that article for some specific pruning tips!)

Look for crossing branches that rub against each other – these can cause damage over time.

Identify any leggy or elongated stems that make the plant look unbalanced. These are prime candidates for pruning to encourage a fuller, more compact shape.

Don’t forget to check for any branches growing in odd directions or disrupting the plant’s overall form.

Remember, it’s better to prune conservatively at first. You can always trim more later, but you can’t undo excessive pruning.

Plan to remove no more than 20-30% of the plant’s growth in one pruning session to avoid stressing your jade plant.

How to Prune Jade Plants

Pruning jade plants helps maintain their shape, size, and health. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy.

And don’t forget: It’s best to prune in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

Correct Pruning Cuts

Make clean cuts just above a leaf node using sharp, sterilized pruning shears. This promotes new growth from the cut area.

Avoid tearing or crushing the stems, as this can damage the plant and invite disease.

Always cut at a 45-degree angle to prevent water from pooling on the cut surface. This reduces the risk of rot and infection. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches first.

For thicker stems, use a clean, sharp knife to make a smooth cut. Don’t twist or pull the branches – this can harm the plant’s main structure.

Shaping Your Jade Plant

Start by deciding on the desired shape for your jade plant. Remove any branches that grow outside this shape. Focus on cutting back longer stems to create a more compact appearance.

Trim off the growing tips to encourage branching and a fuller look. This technique works well for younger plants. For older jades, you might need to remove entire branches to achieve the desired form.

Remember to step back and assess your progress often. It’s better to remove less and prune again later than to over-prune in one session.

Managing Overgrown Plants

For severely overgrown jade plants, you’ll need to take a more drastic approach. Start by removing up to one-third of the oldest and longest branches. This opens up the plant’s center and allows light to reach inner leaves.

Cut back remaining long branches to create a more balanced shape. Don’t worry if your plant looks a bit sparse after pruning – it will fill out with new growth.

Water sparingly after major pruning to prevent root rot. The plant needs time to recover and adjust to its new size. You can propagate the cuttings to create new jade plants if desired.

Post-Pruning Care

After pruning your jade plant, it’s crucial to provide proper care to help it recover and thrive. You’ll need to adjust your watering routine, consider fertilization, and keep a close eye on your plant’s health. These steps will ensure your jade bounces back stronger than ever.

Watering After Pruning

Cut back on watering immediately after pruning. Your jade plant needs less water now that it has fewer leaves.

Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. This might take a week or two, depending on your climate and the size of your plant.

When you do water, give it a thorough soak. Make sure water drains freely from the pot’s bottom holes.

Empty the saucer to prevent root rot. As new growth appears, gradually increase watering frequency.

Remember, jade plants are succulents and prefer to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is more harmful than underwatering, so err on the side of caution.

Fertilizing After Pruning

Hold off on fertilizing for about a month after pruning. This gives your jade plant time to recover from the stress of pruning.

Once new growth starts, you can begin a light fertilization routine.

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength – like my preferred one below.

#1 TOP PICK
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Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food

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The best fertilizer for Jade Plants, specially formulated for succulents to provide instant nutrients. Supports strong roots and healthy, vibrant growth, keeping your Jade Plant thriving

Apply it once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Don’t fertilize in fall and winter when growth slows down.

Avoid over-fertilizing – it can lead to weak, leggy growth. If you notice salt buildup on the soil surface, flush the pot with plain water to remove excess minerals.

Monitoring Plant Health

Keep a close eye on your jade plant in the weeks following pruning. Look for signs of new growth, which typically appears within a few weeks. Check the cut areas for any signs of infection or rot.

Watch for pest infestations, as pruned plants can be more vulnerable. Common pests include mealybugs and spider mites.

How to Get Rid of Pests on Your Houseplants

If you notice pests on your indoor plants, follow these steps to tackle the problem before it gets worse:

  • Start with manual removal – For minor infestations, wipe leaves with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or rinse the plant under lukewarm water to remove pests by hand.
  • Use neem oil or insecticidal soap – If pests persist, treat your plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap (those are my preferred ones!), both of which target common houseplant pests without harming your plant.
  • Apply a houseplant-safe pesticide – For severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, use a broad-spectrum pesticide designed for indoor plants to eliminate stubborn pests – I use this pesticide for tough infestations.

By acting quickly and using the right treatments, you can keep your houseplants pest-free and thriving!

Monitor leaf color and firmness. Healthy jade leaves should be plump and dark green.

If leaves start to wrinkle or yellow, adjust your care routine. Provide bright, indirect light to encourage strong growth.

Propagation from Cuttings

Jade plants are easy to propagate from cuttings. You can create new plants by taking stem or leaf cuttings from a healthy parent plant. This method is simple and usually has a high success rate.

To start, choose a healthy stem or leaf from your jade plant. Cut a 3-4 inch stem section using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top.

Allow the cutting to dry and form a callus for a few days before planting. This helps prevent rotting. Once callused, place the cutting in a small pot with well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix – like my preferred one below!

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Miracle-Gro Succulent Potting Mix

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The best soil for Jade Plants, specially formulated to provide the perfect balance of drainage and nutrients. This mix, made with sphagnum peat moss and plant food, helps support strong roots and healthy, thriving growth

Water sparingly until roots develop, which usually takes 2-3 weeks. Keep your jade plant’s soil slightly moist but not soggy. Place the pot in bright, indirect light and maintain warm temperatures.

New growth will appear once roots have formed, indicating successful propagation. At this point, you can start treating your new jade plant like an established one.

Leaf cuttings work similarly. Simply remove a healthy leaf and let it callus before laying it on top of soil. Roots and a new plant will eventually grow from the base of the leaf.

Remember to be patient – propagation can take time. With proper care, you’ll soon have new jade plants to enjoy or share with friends.