Want to create an adorable Bonsai? You have come to the right place, as here’s how to grow a jade plant like a tree!
Jade plants are popular for a reason. They’re low-maintenance, tough as nails, and look gorgeous with their thick, glossy green leaves. But did you know you can also grow them like a tree? Let’s show you how!
How to Grow Jade Plant Like a Tree
1. Choosing a Cutting
Take a cutting from an existing jade plant—go for something 4 to 10 inches long and thick. A straight piece or one with a few branches both work fine.
In case you don’t already have a jade plant, you can always pick up a young jade from a nursery. These baby bonsais may look basic, but they’re perfect for practice.
Tip: Thicker stems make for stronger bonsai trunks, so choose the chunkiest piece you can find.
2. Propagating It
Remove the bottom few leaves and place the cutting in a glass with 2 inches of water. Make sure no leaves touch the water, or they’ll rot.
Keep this setup in a place with bright, indirect sunlight and top up the water every week or two. You will start seeing roots in a matter of weeks. It’ll be time to repot once these grow to about 2 inches in length.
Alternative method: You can also stick the cutting straight into dry succulent soil and let it root there—great if your climate is warm and dry.
3. Potting Up
Now that you have got roots, it’s time to pot up your jade plant (soon-to-be-a-tree) in soil. Also, use bonsai soil if possible (akadama, pumice, lava rock), but a cactus or succulent mix works fine too. The key is good drainage.
Start with a small pot—3 to 4 inches deep—with drainage holes. Later, you can shift to a shallow bonsai pot.
Tip: Unglazed ceramic pots are great because they help extra moisture evaporate faster—perfect for succulents like jade.
4. Support Your Plant
Newly planted cuttings often wobble. You can use a stick, chopstick, or skewer to hold it upright. You can also pile a few stones around the base for support.
Wait 4–5 days before the first watering. Jade stores water in its thick trunk and leaves, so no need to rush. Water too soon and you risk root rot.
5. Enjoy Your Bonsai!
Keep your jade bonsai in the sunniest location of your home to give it the best chance of developing into a wonderful tree-like shape. Once it starts to grow new leaves and branches, you will know that your jade bonsai has established itself and will soon become almost like a real tree!
As it matures, you can start pruning the top growth to encourage branching and a stronger trunk—this is the real secret to making it look like a tiny tree.
Also, rotate your plant every couple of weeks so it grows evenly and doesn’t lean toward the light.
So, that was all about growing a jade bonsai. Try out the given tips and let us know how your jade-growing journey goes in the comments below!
