Can you trim jade plant

For a natural tree appearance, make lower branches shorter than higher ones. The secret to shaping your Jade into a well-filled bush is patient, regular pruning over time.

You can trim some of the lower branches, but keep most in place. You may like to read my article about pruning houseplants for some more general advice about pruning. The ideal tool for substantial woody stems is a pair of bypass shears. Whichever tool you decide upon, be sure to sterilize the blades.

Dipping them in isopropyl rubbing alcohol will do the job. Before you prune a Jade Plant, take a good look at your plant from all angles and plan which stems are best to cut. Two or possibly more branches will sprout below each cut, so consider the eventual result you want. The nub that extends above the node after pruning will die and eventually fall away. Leaving a short nub between the cut and the node provides a buffer for the growing point: cutting behind the node exposes a longer portion of the stem to the risk of rot or infestation.

Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Method 1. Trim the jade plant when branches start to droop. Pruning those branches develops thicker, stronger stems, which lets your plant grow taller and wider. They are still developing their roots and trunk during the first year, and pruning them too soon will permanently stunt their growth.

Prune the branches and stems in the spring or early summer. Jade plants can technically be pruned all year long, but they actively grow in warm weather. The sunlight and warmth help them to recover more quickly from the pruning. Keep it somewhere it gets sunlight but avoid placing it in direct light for long periods of time, as this could burn your plant. Use sharp shears or bonsai pruning shears to make your cuts. Prune back branches that are drooping by clipping the branch where it intersects with the trunk.

Or if you are mainly looking to shape your jade plant, prune individual leaves or partial sections of branches. Cut just above the leaf node where the leaf grows out of the branch. This is the main section that connects to the roots. The only time you will cut this main truck is when you are cutting down most of the plant to help it heal from infection. Overcrowding limits the amount of light the plant gets. Method 2. Trim leggy or drooping branches.

If your jade plant has grown for a long time without pruning, it will resemble an overgrown bush. Yellow or light green leaves indicate your plant is overtaxed. Use the rubbing alcohol to clean the pruners in the beginning and a few times as you go. Before making cuts, examine the plant and ensure it is not wrinkling or wilted before trimming. Look for crisscrossing branches, downward pointing ones, branches close to the soil and leggy stems. Continue removing branches to reach the desired dome shape.

If you have one side of the plant with thinner growth, try making a few cuts between nodes to encourage branching and fuller growth. Jared says trimmed jade plants may look a little bare and sad but will make an astounding come back.

Pruned in spring, the jade plant will put out new growth in just three to four weeks. Pruned in winter, new growth will take a little longer. Two-spotted spider mite are a common pest in the greenhouse.

In this post I examine the symptoms to look for and the ways to control them. All giftwrap - 3 FOR 2. A complete guide for caring for, pruning and propagating all types of Crassula Jade Plants — and knowing the potential pests and disorders it is susceptible to. Reasons for pruning your Crassula: for taming overgrowth and easing congestion, maintaining plant health, strengthening or shaping it -.

Take your time to create this form and give your plant enough time to recover between prunings -. Cut off any branches that droop. Annually in spring, prune the top branches to encourage further branching. To create a tree-shape, keep the lower branches slightly shorter than the higher ones.

The Jade Bush: Be patient, again, and prune regularly, over time. Allow the new branches to thicken between prunings -. Unlike the tree form, above, you will want to keep most of the lower branches. If there is any particularly leggy growth, cut it back to source to encourage stronger, new branches.

Let me know how you get on! I have found this really helpful. Looking forward to trying to propagate from my Jade plant with this advice to hand. Pesky Pests.