How to propagate a money plant

The money plant, also known as lucky plant, friendship tree or jade plant, is easy to propagate yourself by both shoot and leaf cuttings. Here are the instructions for propagating the friendship tree.

The propagation of the easy-care houseplant is very simple and with good care is almost always successful. Incidentally, this is true for almost all the plants of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae): the succulents all form roots more or less quickly ,even if you only have individual leaves available as propagation material.

When should you propagate the money plant?

The right period for propagation is not as decisive for the lucky plant as it is for many other houseplants. Basically, the spring and summer months are best suited, because the money plant is then in full growth and has plenty of light and heat available. But even in the dormant phase in late autumn and winter, propagation can be carried out without any problems. Even if it can then take a few weeks longer for the cuttings to form their own roots.

Propagate money plant by shoot cuttings

If you just need a few new plants, you should simply cut a few shoots and put them in a jar of water. Propagation material comes together enough during regular pruning of the plant. This is necessary anyway, so that the crown of the money plant does not lose its shape over time. Surely you have already observed that the plant forms small tufts of aerial roots at the leaf nodes in places. These are the ideal places to apply the shears, because these roots turn into real roots within a few weeks in water. In general, you should first defoliate the freshly cut shoots only in the lower section and then let them air dry for two to three days before placing them in a jar of water. It is important that all cuttings dry in well to minimize the risk of fungal infection. Change the water every few days to prevent germination and place the jar in a bright, warm place. Cuttings tend to form roots faster in a dark cup than in a proper jar because the environment is slightly darker.

Instead of placing the cutting in a water glass, you can of course put it directly into pots with soil. However, stick the cutting deep enough because it is quite top heavy due to the heavy leaves and will easily topple over if it doesn’t have enough support. They should have a minimum length of about seven centimeters (3 in) and be defoliated about halfway. Keep the substrate evenly moist afterwards, but avoid waterlogging. Instead of conventional growing soil, you should use cactus soil because it has better water drainage. A transparent cover of foil or solid plastic is not necessary, even in a very bright to sunny location. As a succulent, the money plant shoot is naturally well protected from drying out, even if it does not yet have roots.

Propagate money plant by leaf cuttings

If you don’t want to cut back your money plant right now, but you still want to propagate it, there is a second option: propagating the plants by leaf cuttings. The procedure is similar to the method above, but it only works if you put the leaves in soil.

Plucking leaves from the money tree

First, pick out a few suitable leaves from your money plant and carefully pluck them off with your fingers. The leaves should be as large and vibrant green as possible. If they are already pale green to slightly yellowish and easily detach from the shoot, they are no longer suitable for propagation. Leave the leaves as well as the shoot pieces in the air for about two days before planting, so that the wounds can dry out a little.

Stick the leaves of money plant in soil

A normal pot with a drainage hole is suitable for planting the leaves. However, if you want to obtain several plants, it is better to put the cuttings in a growing tray or a shallow clay tray with succulent soil. Make sure that each leaf is about halfway in the soil so that it has good contact with the ground and cannot topple over.

Moisten the leaf cuttings well

After sticking, it is important that you moisten the leaves and the substrate in the growing container well, preferably with a sprayer. However, the leaves and the later young plants must not be kept too moist in any case, otherwise they will start to rot.

Place the growing container in a bright and warm place

Place the container in a bright and preferably warm place and always make sure that the soil is always slightly moist. Depending on the season, light and temperature, it takes about six to eight weeks for small new shoots and leaflets to sprout on both sides of the pinned leaves. From this time you can already transplant the young plants into individual pots.