I need some help figuring out the best place to prune my jade plant, so it can branch out and grow bigger. So far I’m not sure if there is a good place to prune it, and am wondering if I should let it grow out bigger before pruning it.
I’m not an expert, but when mine are short, I simply pinch the new growth off of the very top. I’m too scared to chop off anymore in fear that it may not work out. I’m sure others have better suggestions for you. Best of luck!
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You can also try stimulating new growth at bare nodes lower down with cloning paste
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This ☝️ had great success chopping a LANKY mature jade and using Kieki paste on bare nodes to get her going again. Poke small holes or notches into the nodes, specifically and then apply
Before for contrast. Plus got a whole new full bushy jade plant! (Next pic)
Completely agree with @SuccySuccy about the keiki paste. I just wanted to mention that it’ll likely help your plant grow new leaves and branches faster if you downsize the pot it’s in. Jades enjoy getting a little rootbound between repottings, and like being more snug in their pots. If it’s been a while since you’ve repotted it too, replacing the old soil with a fresh cactus mix can provide it with lots of new nutrients from the soil to work with. I swear by Espoma’s Organic Cactus and Succulent Mix for mine. (And please avoid Miracle Grow’s soil, even their cactus mix. It isn’t well-draining enough for a jade, and can stunt its growth or lead to overwatering and root rot, especially in more humid summer climates). In terms of repotting, I’d opt for a terra cotta or plastic pot no more than 1-2 inches wider in diameter than your jade’s root ball, NOT the plant itself. When they have less room to expand their root system, plants tend to focus their energy on new foliage. Hope this helps! 😊
1 Like Here’s the ratio between plant size and pot size with some of my jades, for reference. Terra cotta pots are great for jades as long as they have at least one large drainage hole, but I prefer plastic pots with lots of drainage holes. Glazed ceramic pots are the only type I’d avoid for these plants, as they’re meant for tropical species that don’t like completely drying out between waterings, and hold excess moisture for a little longer than other pot types. You can end up having a pot that matches the width of the plant, but only as long as the root system really is similar in width to the plant itself, like my last jade photo. I’ve also found that jades tend to need repotting a little earlier than other succulent species, as their soil can become hydrophobic a little sooner than others, so I opt for a soil refresh every 6-9 months or so, especially if it starts taking a while for the soil to drain from the pot.
