Jade Bonsai Tree Guide: How to Grow Dwarf Jade

Jade bonsai (Portulacaria afra), also known as dwarf jade plant and elephant bush, is a small succulent shrub native to South America with thick, small leaves and woody stems. Dwarf jade resembles the common jade plant (Crassula ovata) although the two are not related. Dwarf jade plants are popular houseplants due to their small size.

You can train this dwarf jade into a small bonsai tree through pruning, which is easy to do because of the plant’s slow growth rate. You can also grow dwarf jade plants in hanging baskets and let them trail down the edges of the planter. Dwarf jade bonsai plants can live for over one hundred years with proper care.

You can plant a jade bonsai plant indoors any time of year. They do well with partial, indirect sun and plenty of warmth. Planting your jade bonsai in the spring or summer allows it to absorb plenty of warmth and light during its growing season.

The easiest way to grow a dwarf jade plant is by propagating it from cuttings. Follow these simple DIY steps to grow your own jade bonsai at home.

1. 1. Make a cutting. Cut a branch that is between three and six inches long from an established dwarf jade plant using a pair of sterile gardening shears. Take your cutting when the soil is completely dry, otherwise the branches will contain too much moisture to root properly. Lay your cutting on a square of paper towel and leave it to completely dry out.
2. 2. Prepare your cutting. Trim any leaves away from the bottom third of your cutting. Dip the lower third of your cutting in a rooting hormone to encourage root development.
3. 3. Plant your cutting. Fill a small pot with a mixture of potting soil and coarse sand or pumice. Water the soil and make sure that it is draining well. Plant the lower third of your cutting in the moist soil mixture and leave it in a place that gets plenty of morning sunlight, such as a windowsill.
4. 4. Water your new plant. Wait until the soil is completely dry and then lightly mist the soil with water. You can start watering the plant with a small watering can when you notice new growth on your bonsai.

Follow these jade bonsai care tips to keep this low-maintenance plant thriving.

• Pruning: Prune your dwarf jade shrubs to train them into small bonsai trees. Make sure that the soil and the branches of your tree are dry before you start to prune it. Trim away branches that obstruct the clean shape of the trunk, low-growing branches, dead branches, and any other branches that grow out of your desired shape.
• Watering: Dwarf jade plants are succulents, so they are drought-tolerant and prefer sparse watering to overwatering. Check that your plant's soil has completely dried out before watering it again.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize your dwarf jade bonsai trees with fertilizer once a month.
• Repotting: You likely will not need to repot your dwarf jade bonsai tree because it will grow slowly. Withhold water for at least a week after repotting if you want to repot your tree. This will encourage the tree’s roots to establish themselves. Always use well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes at the bottom of the pot to prevent root rot.

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