How to Propagate Succulents From Leaves and Stem Cuttings

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Propagating succulents from cuttings is one of the easiest things to do as a beginner plant parent, even if you have never done it before.

You can add a pop of color to your home or office using the leaves and stems of succulents to add miniature greenery. The best part is they are low-maintenance, and you find them in various shapes and sizes.

What are Succulent Plants

succulent plants

Succulent plants are a type of plant that stores water in their leaves, stems, and roots due to their water-storing tissue parenchyma. It allows them to survive in arid environments where water is scarce, which makes these plants drought-tolerant.

They are known for their fleshy leaves and stems and often have a waxy coating or other adaptation that helps them retain moisture. Some popular succulents include cacti, aloe vera, echeveria, and sedum.

Succulents are becoming popular indoor plants due to their cute shape and ease of care, making them perfect for busy plant parents.

DIY Succulent Propagation

Choosing the Right Cutting

succulent cuttings

The best time to propagate succulents is when the stems and leaves develop in spring and summer. The majority of succulents propagate quickly from individual leaves or stems.

We recommend using leaf propagation for succulents with fleshy leaves like your echeveria, jade plants, and sempervivum rosettes. Succulent leaf propagation tips are to root it by keeping the leaf whole. To achieve this, grasp the leaf using your forefinger and thumb.

Gently pull it back and forth as it will loosen. Keep the base intact when removing it from the mother plant.

Propagation success with succulent stems is best done with plants with distinct stems, like spreading or upright sedums or stacked crassulas. Use a sterilized knife to cut the stem tip, or take the entire stem for multiple starts.

Ensure the stem cutting is at least two to three inches long and has several leaves. Remove the bottom leaves and leave at least two leaves at the top.

Rooting Succulent Cuttings Successfully

While you can root succulents in water, it goes against the growing conditions and is best done naturally. Hence, we recommend these propagation success tips:

    • Start your leaf and stem cuttings in a shallow planting tray or a small container you fill with potting mix.
    • Place the cuttings in individual pots, eliminating the need to transplant succulents after they develop a root system.
    • Remember that most succulents root easily, but the progress could be faster for some types.
    • You can speed up the process by dipping the cut end into a rooting hormone like GardenTech RootBoost. The rooting hormones help to stimulate the development of roots to encourage growth and unformed roots.
    • Leave your cuttings to callus first before the planting day arrives.

How to Grow Succulents From Leaves and Stems

succulent leaves for propagation

Once the cuttings callus, follow these easy steps on how to plant succulents:

  • Prepare your planting trays or containers with a coarse, well-draining potting mix for succulent plants and cacti.
  • Dampen the soil and poke some planting holes with a small stick.
  • Place a small amount of rooting hormone in a dish, dip the cut end into it, and throw the excess away when done.
  • We recommend working with one cutting but moistening the cut side of the stem and leaf base and then dipping them into the rooting hormone.
  • Cover the base well and shake off the excess rooting hormone.
  • Place the cut end into the soil. It helps to insert leaves at an angle just below the soil line. For curved leaves, place them with the curve upwards. Insert the bottom halves of stem cuttings so the soil covers the nodes where you removed the leaves.
  • Refrain from watering until you notice roots forming, and water well, leaving the soil to dry between watering. The rooting process differs from one to another but can take up to three weeks.
  • If you have grown your cuttings in trays, you can transplant them into their tiny containers. Use the same potting mix, and be careful with the roots.

Succulent Cutting Care Instructions

The majority of succulents prefer partial to full sun. Still, protect your new plants from direct sunlight. Standing in more light can intensify the colors, but too much results in sunburn. You will find that even desert succulents receive shade from taller plants.

As previously mentioned, once your baby plant matures, you can transplant it into larger pots, a garden home, or combination planters. Provide your succulent plant with coarse, well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

While succulents can handle high heat and drought, regular watering will keep the leaves and stems firm and plump. Allow the soil to dry between watering and drain from the pot to remove the excess water in the catch saucer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can propagate succulents from both leaves and stems. Leaf propagation is standard for many succulent varieties, while stem cuttings can be used for succulents with a branching or trailing growth habit.

Succulents with plump, healthy leaves, such as echeverias, sedums, and jade plants, are excellent candidates for leaf propagation. Choose leaves that are free from damage or disease.

While you can propagate some plants in water, succulents are prone to rot if left in water for too long. We recommend propagating succulents directly in well-draining soil.

Provide bright, indirect light, and avoid overwatering. Succulents prefer a dry environment, so allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

While not necessary, using a rooting hormone can encourage faster root development, especially for stem cuttings.

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