I think the main reason your jade isn't branching, is because of the light conditions. It looks pretty stretched, and It won't become compact until it gets adequate light. However, adjust it to bright light slowly, to avoid burning it.

No new growth will come from the node of the broken off leaf, unless it gets more light, in which case, it could potentially backbud.

Also, your soil is in need of amending. If you search it in the search bar, you will find plentiful information.

@Palmsandsnow thank you for the response. Unfortunately lack of light IS a problem in my home. I only have East and North facing windows! I do have a plant light that I use to help grow seedlings, but I'd rather not keep it under the light forever. Shoot.

Also, how can you tell my soil needs amending? And what should I be searching for in the search bar? I searched "Jade soil amendment" and so many different things came up I wasn't sure what to look at. It is a very good mix that I have, a potting soil blended with a soil amdendment/composted/nutrient dense "Sea Soil" made locally (https://sagegarden.ca/collections/sea-soil).

Just get a bag or perlite & mix it in equal parts w/ your mix to improve its drainage.

We can tell by the texture of soil (looks like very fine particles) that it needs amending to be faster draining.

Your special mix may be great for veggies & flowers, but likely not succulents in containers.

Unless you give more light o your plant, it will continue growing same way.

Repot into better mix - as per comment above.

Put into better light - grow light would help.

Do not overwater - frequency depends on temps it is in and potting mix you end up with.

With these improvements, it should grow much better - 2yr old plant should be bigger & sturdier.

After a while in new mix & plant established, it could be pruned - you'll get faster branching that way, and some more as palms said with better light.

Here is Baby Jade under t5ho lighting.

These have branched out 2 and 3 stem plants now. Started as cutting 8months ago.

lmontestella and rina_Ontario,Canada The Sea Soil I use is definitely suitable for succulents. The nursery that sells it has HUGE jades, aloes and cacti's in the soil (mixed with other mediums, of course). I do have a layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot and I find it drains quite well due to that. The potting soil that is mixed with the succulents is an all-purpose houseplant soil and has never given me any grief with my Aloe. However, I will get some perlite and mix that in as well. I also have moved it to be next to my grow light. As for watering, I have a moisture meter that I use to tell me when my succulents need water, so I know that's not the problem :)

Thank you for the advice, all!

During warm months, if possible, you could keep the plant outside in the sun. During winter months, I agree that it can be trickier to care for succulents properly. The most cost efficient way would be to overwinter in a state of semi-dormancy- the plant is kept at lower temperatures and light levels throughout the whole winter, with minimal to no water.

Or, like Steven hinted, you can use fluorescent lighting, which is pretty cost effective in itself.

As for soil, I can see the darkness, which indicates peat, and also a small particle size. On this forum, we don't have much faith in the commercial soils, but they are usable with a high percent (50-60%) of perlite or pumice.

My mistake on recommending the search bar. Good for searching for something specific, but not something as broad as soil... Good advice from the folks above!

dancer

As for soil moisture - depending on what meter you have, many are not reliable. Cheaper, faster and reliable way is sticking a bamboo skewer or a chopstick deep inside of pot. If it come out - after few minutes - dry and clean, time to water. Cold, damp feeling with some small particles sticking to it indicates plenty of moisture. Of course, you may have a good meter... Another way to tell is to lift the pot - if light, it is usually ready to be watered (should be tried few times before relaying on to get the real feel for the mix used).

Layer of rocks at the bottom of pot doesn't help if using water retaining soil. If you read article linked to above by palms, you'll find out why.

JMO - baby jade is not a proper name, just a common name. Sometimes used for different plants. No offence Steven!

There is simply no comparison btwn home growing & nursery growing.

That soil will not do your plant good over time. It contains ingredients which do not do well w/ succulent plants or in home container settings. Rocks in the bottom may be making this even worse.

I find it frustrating when people come here for advice & receive it only to refute the advice given. Then why come ask our opinions?

Trying to grow succulents w/ insufficient light is kind of a losing battle.

The soil you are using says good for seedling starting, which tells me that it probably isnt great for jades. If you do amend with perlite, you might want to go as high as 70/30 perlite/ mix. You will probably see an improvement in the growth and root system. It will also allow for a bit more watering, which is nice for the jade too. I find that my jades in really porous mixes grow much better and bigger.

I'm no jade expert, mind you, but I do think you will be happy the results if you lighten the soil. One tip I learned here about mixing perlite and soil is to start with the perlite (sifted) and add the soil, as opposed to the other way around. You want a nice porous mixture that doesn't clump up a lot when you wet it.

also, fwiw, I have a jade plant in the western window that is shaded and obscured by other big plants. It is growing beautifully, even though the light is pretty low. I attribute this to the fact that it is in a very porous mixture --no soil at all. Thus, I can water it very freely, which it seems to love. I am not suggesting that porous mixes can compensate for good lighting. I am just suggesting that a free draining mix that allows you to water the plant abundantly may contribute the overall health of the plant and help it grow bigger and more plump.

Dancer...You actually contradicted your thought that the soil is good for c/s plants when you say that the nurseries use it to grow plants 'with other mediums, of course'! The ingredients listed on it are certainly not advised for plants that demand perfect drainage, its way too organic based., it doesn't say it's good for c/s plants either. The nurseries may well use it, but you don't know in what proportions and with what additives. Plus, hopefully, they know what they're doing. Rocks at the bottom aren't the answer, as already stated, they can make things worse.

The vast majority of growers here who tend to frequent the 'answering side of the forum' do know what they're doing so can spot problems a mile off.....even from the other side of the Atlantic. That's not to say the answers given are 100% foolproof, but the help given here is sound.

Good you've decided to get perlite and move the plant near the light so hopefully that will help, but please take on board all other suggestions. Your watering will now need to be watched carefully, maybe your water meter needs checking to see if it's accurate, have you done that recently? Please post pics of the repotted plant.

Gill

@palmsandsnow @rina_Ontario,Canada @lmontestella

I lied! My jade is only one year old. I asked my friend who gave it to me - I could've sworn it was 2!

Also, I will get some perlite to mix in, but what sort of soil/mix do you lovely folks typically use for your succulents? As I mentioned, it's been great for my aloe, but I'm always willing to learn more!

My mix, to put it bluntly, is basically rocks. I have some pictures here to give you an idea:

Useful Pictures · More Info

Useful Pictures · More Info

Useful Pictures · More Info

These my three main ingredients, graded for size. Granite grit, perlite, oil absorbent, respectively.

I use them in varying proportions, depending on what I grow. The use of such coarse materials really stimulates much better root development. Very happy with the results.

@Karen R. Sternberg - I am not trying to refuse the advice given. I was giving further information to those who were offering the information.

@greenclaws UKzone8a Yes I have checked my meter recently. Working perfectly and it has helped me improve the life of my other plants! I also didn't intend to contradict myself. When I said they were using other mediums mixed in, I meant I was doing that as well - but clearly I had chosen the wrong medium to mix with the sea soil (a succulent soil), whereas they probably use a better medium mixed with the sea soil.

I am definitely taking on board all suggestions. As mentioned, I have moved it to better light, and will be buying some perlite or a better mixture for the Jade. I will also take the rocks out of the bottom, as I didn't realize that could be making it worse!

Many ppl use mix of C&S soil and perlite, in 50/50 ratio (or more of perlite).

I use similar mix as palms, grit, sifted perlite and some turface (oil absorbent could be used instead of turface).

If you have pumice, that would be good to use instead of perlite.

Many way to make a mix; mostly inorganic materials, and of approx. same size. To prevent washing out of particles, put a piece of mosquito screen over drainage hole (or drywall mesh tape; or plastic canvass sold in craft stores. In a pinch, coffee filter could be used).

Do not know what kind of meter you use, but you can check it for accuracy: stick it into regular water, and then into distilled water (obviously, make sure it is dry). See if you get any readings.

It might be a bit jarring for you to move it straight to a gritty mix. Though, that one is ideal, mind you. You could start with the mix/ perlite combo and just use more perlite than mix as has been suggested. Then, see how you feel about that. It's like a baby step towards the gritty mix:)