Crassula ovata looking dull and spindly? Check out this article to learn how to get a thick trunk on your jade plant.
Whether you know it as the Dollar Plant, or the Friendship Tree, you would agree on one thing—jade plants look incredible with thick trunks! In fact, they look like little bonsai setups. But often, something may be lacking in our case. So, here’s how to get a thick trunk on your jade plant.
Ways To Get a Thick Trunk On Your Jade Plant
1. Choose the Right Jade Plant
Not all jade plants are built the same. If you’re aiming for a thick trunk, go for the right variety. ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ can grow 3–5 feet tall, and ‘Lemon and Lime’ can even stretch up to 3–5 meters.
But there’s a catch—some take 10–20 years to reach full size. So, patience is key. Give them proper sunlight, water, and nutrients to speed things up.
Also, don’t let your jade stay root-bound too long. A tight pot slows growth—give it space, and the trunk will naturally bulk up.
2. Cut Off the Long, Spindly Stems
It may sound backward, but pruning actually helps the trunk grow thicker.
Snip off any long, weak, or drooping branches that the plant can’t support. Also, trim anything messing with its shape—like stems hanging over the pot’s edge. You can use clean, sharp tools and cut where they meet the main stem or another branch.
Scissors work too—just sterilize them to avoid infections.
Bonus Tip: Don’t toss healthy cuttings! You can easily root them in water or soil and grow more jade plants.
3. Ensure Your Jade is Established Well
Before bulking up the trunk, check if your jade’s pot and soil are up to the mark. If it looks top-heavy or cramped, it’s time to repot.
Repot every 2–3 years to refresh the soil and use a cactus or succulent mix. That keeps the roots happy and supports trunk growth.
If it leans or wobbles, use soft ties or a bamboo stake to prop it up gently. Support is key while it’s bulking up.
And while repotting, check for any mushy or rotten roots—cleaning those out helps your jade grow stronger from the base.
4. Give Direct Sunlight
This goes without saying but for a thick jade plant trunk, bright light is absolutely crucial. While you can just put your plant on a bright windowsill, there’s a few other tricks to help you attain your goal faster.
The first one is putting your plant near a west- or south-facing window. These usually give your plant the best access to light. In case of too much harsh sunlight during the afternoons, add a sheer curtain —this is especially handy for summers.
If you live in an area with limited sunlight, you can also use a grow light—it works wonders in boosting trunk development over time.
5. Proper Watering
Watering your jade the right way is again quite important to get a fuller, thicker plant. You want to water it regularly between mid-spring to mid-autumn using lukewarm water. Avoid cold water completely to not stress out or shock your plant.
When watering, err on the drier side. In fact, you should let the soil dry out completely between every thorough watering (the excess water should drain out). In winter, that is, when the plant is dormant, water only once every six to eight weeks.
Also, always use pots with drainage holes —sitting in soggy soil weakens the trunk and roots over time.
6. Don’t Over-Prune or Over-Fertilize
We’ve talked about pruning, but don’t overdo it. Wipe your tools with rubbing alcohol before each use.
If you are new to pruning, just start with pinching—it’s gentler. Stick to spring through early summer, and don’t remove more than 30% of the plant.
As for fertilizer, feed your jade once a month during the growing season. Use a diluted, balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20).
Too much? You risk root burn, which stunts trunk growth instead of helping it.
So, these were all the awesome tips you could start applying to have the thickest trunk of your jade plant. Try them out and let us know how it goes for you in the comments below!
