Pruning Jade Plants: Tips for Big, Bushy Growth

Jade plant pruning seems complex, but is really a matter of proper planning. Epic Gardening founder Kevin Espiritu teaches you how to prune your jade plants!

A shot of a person using a hand shear, in the process of Jade plant pruning

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Jade plants, sometimes called money trees, are low-maintenance succulents with glossy, leathery leaves. Regular pruning helps prevent them from becoming overgrown and difficult to manage. Since they can reach up to 12 feet tall as they mature, pruning early and consistently can save you from a lot of hard work later.

You may be wondering how to prune jade plants or what signs to look for when trimming them. Worry no more—we’re going to explain everything you need to know today!

Why Prune Jade Plants

A shot of a person in the process of trimming off a succulent in a well lit area indoors
Trimming helps keep the succulent healthy.

Pruning helps keep your jade plant healthy by trimming away damaged or diseased parts. It also tidies up the plant, giving it a neat and attractive shape.

Regular trimming promotes future growth, as pruned stems will produce new leaf buds. This allows you to shape your plant into a denser, more compact form.

As jade plant flowers fade, deadheading spent blooms is another common pruning practice. While not essential to jade plant care—since the flowers tend to drop off on their own—it won’t harm the plant.

Jade plants tend to be top-heavy. If you live in an area with high winds, pruning can help thin out upper growth, improving airflow and reducing strain on the trunk or stems. While jade plants are resilient, preventing wind damage is always a good idea.

How to Prune Jade Plant

A close-up shot of a person in the process of trimming a succulent in a well lit area indoors
Careful examination of the plant and its structure will help determine where to cut.

Jade plants are fairly easy to care for. In fact, one of the only “difficult” parts is learning how to prune them properly—and even that isn’t too challenging. A careful examination of the plant and its stem structure is all you need to determine where to cut.

Let’s dive into more detail on how to prune your jade plant for the best leaf and stem development!

Wait for the Right Time

A close-up shot of a developing succulent plant
Avoid trimming succulents that are less than a year old.

As a general rule, avoid pruning jade plants that are less than a year old. Younger plants are more vulnerable to pest attacks, and their leaves play a crucial role in early growth. Since jade succulent roots take time to develop, the plant relies heavily on the chlorophyll stored in its leaves for energy.

Additionally, young jade plants have fewer branches off the main trunk. Pruning the wrong one too early can interfere with proper development.

Choose The Right Season

A close-up reveals a thriving succulent plant nestled indoors, its compact leaves abundant and lush. Each leaf is petite yet robust, characterized by its thick texture, embodying the plant's resilience and vitality.
Trim the plants in early spring, once the weather has warmed up.

The best time for pruning is early spring, once the weather has warmed up but before new growth begins. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, your plant will recover quickly and leaf out beautifully.

Avoid pruning in winter when cooler temperatures prevent cut stems from properly callousing. If the cuts remain wet and unhealed, they can become entry points for pests or diseases. For the same reason, it’s best to avoid pruning in late fall as well.

Choose a day when no rain is forecasted for at least three days. This allows the cut ends to start forming protective scabs before being exposed to moisture.

Visualize the Shape You Want

A shot of a person trimming and shaping a succulent in a well lit area indoors
Visualize what the plant will look like once trimmed.

Take a good look at your jade plant. The stems and trunk should appear to be made up of dozens of interlocked segments. These joints are where new growth can emerge, so carefully decide where to cut.

To plan your pruning, tie a piece of yarn or ribbon around the branches you want to remove. Then, step back and visualize what the plant will look like once pruned. This can help you shape the plant before making any cuts. Also, watch for drooping branches that may need trimming.

Pruning a jade plant can encourage two distinct growth patterns. For a bushier look, remove very few lower branches and focus on shaping the plant for visual appeal. If you prefer a tree-like form, remove the lower branches with sterilized pruning shears and lightly trim the canopy.

Jade Plant Pruning Tips

A shot of developing leaves on a branch of a succulent in a well lit area indoors
Sterilize the tools, trim above the leaf node, and allow the cut to callous over.

Never remove more than one-third of the plant if possible. While jade plants can tolerate more severe pruning, they will be healthier if a decent amount of leaves and branches remain.

When making a cut, choose a spot just above a leaf node. Leaving the node behind allows two new branches to develop from where the previous one was removed.

Always use sterilized pruning shears or a sterilized pruning knife to reduce the risk of spreading disease.

After pruning, allow the cut surfaces to callous over. This can take a few days, so try to prune when the weather is dry and warm for a while.

As part of post-pruning care, water at the base of the plant rather than on the leaves or stems. This helps the cut surfaces form protective callouses without excess moisture interfering with healing.

You can also propagate cuttings from the pruned material! Select stem pieces at least four to six inches long, ideally with multiple leaf nodes. Use sharp shears to make a clean cut, then leave the cuttings to dry and heal for a few days. Once the ends have scabbed over, they will be ready for rooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should jade plants be pruned?

The best time to prune a jade plant is during the active growing season of spring.

How do I make my jade plant bushy?

Prune a leggy jade plant regularly, and shape the plant, taking no more than 25% at a time. Pinch back new growth, and you’ll have a bushier, healthy jade plant.

Can you cut a jade plant way back?

You can cut back extensively when you’re pruning jade plants, but for best results, remove no more than 1/4 of the plant.

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