The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a popular, resilient succulent known for its thick, woody stems and fleshy, oval leaves. Despite its hardiness, it often develops “legginess,” an undesirable growth pattern. This condition is characterized by long, thin stems with widely spaced leaves, resulting in a stretched and often top-heavy appearance. Addressing this requires corrective pruning and environmental adjustments to restore the plant’s naturally compact form.
Why Jade Plants Become Leggy
The primary reason a jade plant develops this elongated growth is etiolation, a direct response to insufficient light exposure. As the plant searches for a more intense light source, it rapidly stretches the stem sections between the leaf nodes (internodes). This results in thin, pale, and weak growth that cannot support the weight of the leaves.
While light is the main factor, improper watering practices can exacerbate the problem, especially if the plant is overwatered in a low-light environment. Too much moisture encourages rapid, weak cell expansion, which further contributes to the spindly, stretched look.
Pruning Techniques to Correct Overgrowth
Pruning is the most effective method for correcting a leggy jade plant and encouraging a denser, bushier shape. Use a pair of clean, sharp shears or a knife to make precise cuts, minimizing tissue damage and preventing the introduction of pathogens. The goal is to remove the stretched sections by cutting just above a leaf node or a point where a new side branch has already begun to form.
Making a cut directly above a node stimulates the dormant buds at that point to activate, usually resulting in two new stems growing out from the cut site. For younger, less severely leggy plants, a simple technique called “pinching” can be used, which involves removing the small, tender terminal growth bud at the tip of the stem. This action immediately stops the upward growth and redirects the plant’s energy to lateral branching, creating a fuller canopy. After pruning, allow the cut surfaces to dry and form a protective callus layer for several days before watering the plant.
Adjusting Care for Compact Growth
Once the structural issues are corrected through pruning, the environment must be changed to prevent the return of legginess. Jade plants require bright, indirect light for a minimum of four to six hours daily to maintain their compact structure. An ideal location is a south or west-facing window, where the light intensity is highest, though direct afternoon sun may need to be filtered to prevent leaf scorching.
The plant’s watering schedule also requires strict attention. Only water deeply when the soil is completely dry, which may mean watering every few weeks depending on the season and humidity levels. Maintaining a temperature range between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season further supports healthy, compact growth.
Propagating New Plants from Cuttings
The healthy stem and leaf material removed during the pruning process can be used to start new jade plants. Stem cuttings should be at least two to four inches long, and any leaves on the lower half should be removed. Both stem and individual leaf cuttings must be allowed to rest in a dry place for three to seven days until a protective callus forms over the cut end.
This callusing process seals the cut tissue, reducing the risk of fungal infection or rot once the cutting is placed in soil. Once callused, the stem cuttings can be planted upright in a well-draining succulent potting mix, and leaf cuttings can be placed directly on the surface of the soil.