How to propagate succulents from cuttings, leaves or pups
Knowing how to propagate succulents will give you a spacious indoor garden for free. In case you already know how to care for succulents, chances are your plant is healthy enough to propagate. By propagating we are referring to growing entirely new succulents on the back of your existing plants. Depending on the species of succulent you own, there are several ways to do this – some can produce from leaves or cuttings, while others raise hatchlings.
But what exactly needs to be done for these baby succulents to grow on their own? Proper steps need to be taken as your new plants will be vulnerable the first time they separate. To help you, we’ve created this comprehensive guide, covering everything you need to know about succulent propagation. Whether you’re handling cuttings, leaves or hatchlings, we have step-by-step guides to guide you through the process. How to propagate succulents.
How to propagate succulents
Before you begin, you should know that propagating succulents never has a 100% success rate. Even if you have mastered how to repot succulents, cuttings do not always survive and it may take a few attempts before they are fertile. Don’t let that put you off though—as long as you’re consistent, you’ll be growing new, healthy succulents in no time.
cuttings
This refers to cutting off the stem of the succulent. It can be useful for tidying up a plant that has grown too large and unkempt over time. Most succulents can be propagated using this method, including sedums and crassulas, but it’s particularly effective on those with thick and sturdy stems. Aeoniums can only be propagated by cuttings.
1. Locate where you want to take the clipping — First you need to decide on the location of your cutting. This will either come from the top of the succulent or from an offshoot if that is preferred.
2. Find your scissors — Next, you’re going to want to find a pair of the best pruning shears (make sure you use a bypass design). It’s a good idea to also disinfect the blades before use to avoid the risk of spreading disease to your succulents. All you need is a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol.
Forgetting to sanitize the blades is just one of the reasons 7 editing mistakes you never knew you were making.
3. Make the Cut – Now comes the main event. Take your pruning shears and cut off your cut. You can either remove just the top of your plant or remove more of the stem if you want multiple cuttings. In any case, cut just above a leaf at a 45 degree angle. Each cutting should be about 2-3 inches long with a few leaves growing from the stem. Keep in mind that you will be planting this in soil so you may need to remove a few of the lower leaves beforehand.
4. Let Dry – It might sound crazy considering how vulnerable your cutting is at the moment, but you need to let it dry. You essentially want the cut off portion of the stem to form a callus as it dries, which can take 3-4 days. It may take less or longer depending on the heat your succulent is exposed to, so keep an eye on them.
This step is important, otherwise your succulent will absorb too much moisture and rot after planting. If you notice that your cutting is beginning to shrink, that’s a sign it needs to be planted.
5. Plant Your New Succulent – Now it’s time to move your cutting to its new home. Your cutting will need to be planted in special, fast-draining succulent soil, such as B. Miracle-Gro Succulent Soil ($12.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Also make sure the pot has drainage holes so the water can drain through and collect in a bowl.
Initially, it will need more regular watering than mature succulents, so keep an eye on the soil. When the top two inches of soil feels dry, water it. If successful, your cutting will soon sprout roots and begin to grow.
leaves
You can also propagate succulents from the leaves. This works best on plants with thick, strong leaves that are filled with moisture, like jade plants and echeveria. It’s worth noting that some succulents can propagate from both cuttings and leaves, so you can choose your desired method.
1. Water your succulent – You want your leaves to be saturated with moisture before attempting to propagate, so water your succulent a few days beforehand.
2. Choose Your Leaves – Select only the strongest leaves for propagation. They should be plump, healthy, and filled with moisture. Avoid premature leaves or those showing signs of rot, as these are unlikely to survive.
3. Remove Your Leaves – No tools are required for this work. You simply twist each leaf individually to snap it off the stem. Be careful when turning and make sure you remove the entire leaf. Don’t leave anything behind or your leaf won’t take root. Don’t worry if you tear off a piece of the stem; Both plants will survive. Make sure you have a good view of the stem during this process so you don’t waste leaves.
4. Let Dry – Just like with the cuttings, you need to wait for the leaves to form a calloused layer over the exposed skin before planting them. Drying out usually takes 3-4 days but keep checking the progress as this is not set in stone.
5. Plant Your Leaves – Once your leaves are ready for planting, you should get a tray with drainage holes and fill it with special succulent soil as mentioned above. Moisten the soil and then place your leaves on top. You can either leave the calloused end exposed or slightly buried in the ground, it’s up to you.
The regularity of watering your foliage will likely depend on the conditions of your home. But as long as you give the leaves access to moisture when the soil dries up, you’ll have the best chance.
6. Watch Your Succulent Grow – It may take a few weeks or more, but your leaves should sprout roots and mini succulents far too soon. At this stage, make sure your new succulents have ample access to indirect sunlight and water for the best growth. You will be able to breed your puppies regardless of the leaves down the line. This can take a few months.
puppies
Puppy refers to baby succulents that can either grow directly on some mature succulents like haworthia and aloe, or these can be made from propagating leaves as mentioned above. Once these are large enough, the pups can be separated and planted to grow an independent and healthy succulent.
1. Decide when your pup is ready – It can take months for your puppies to reach a suitable size for reproduction, so you’ll need to be patient. Generally, wait until your pups are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter before removing them from the mother plant. If you are raising hatchlings from leaves, it is time to plant them as soon as the main leaf dies and falls off, which can take a few months. If you raised puppies from leaves, you can skip straight to step 4.
2. Cut the Puppy Free – To cut the pup off the mother plant, use bypass pruning shears. Disinfect the blades, then make a cut just below the pup’s trunk, being careful not to damage any roots.
3. Let Dry — Just like all of the other cuttings we’ve covered, you’ll need to callouse the pup and let it dry out. Wait a few days and watch the progress.
4. Plant your pup – Now your pup is ready for his forever home. Grab a suitable pot with drainage holes and plant your pup in special succulent soil. Provide your pup with access to indirect sunlight and water often at first. Once every few days should be enough – just make sure your pup has access to moisture as the soil dries up.
For more planting tips, tricks, and guides, check out how to care for air plants and how to care for a spider plant. Also check out how to prune roses and how to prune tomato plants.