Do you have many succulents in one pot? Don’t know what to do? Looking for ways how to propagate succulents? Well, this guide will exactly help you do so. Learn how to propagate succulents using this article. 

Succulent propagation is simple and gratifying. Do you want to know how to propagate succulents from cuttings and leaves? To propagate and create a new succulent, you only need one leaf! If you’re ready to start growing your succulent houseplant collection. This article will provide you with the most holistic solution to succulent propagation.

Did you know that growing succulents in the garden is simple? Furthermore, you don’t have to spend a fortune on new plants regularly? Because you already have one in your garden that can self-produce other baby succulents from cuttings, leaves, or offsets.

The propagation process is enjoyable, and it allows you to spend some time in the garden.

So, before we get into the specifics of how to propagate succulents, what should we do first? What are succulents and how you can easily propagate succulents? What are the ways that you can use to propagate succulents so that you can make an informed decision? 

Let’s get started and dive into the world of succulents. Before that, do you know you can easily propagate prayer plant.

What Are Succulents?

Succulents are a group of plants with water-storing tissues. Any plant that stores water in its stem, roots, and leaves qualifies.

The majority of succulent plants are drought-tolerant, meaning they can thrive in arid environments. Succulents can be found in their natural environments all over the world. They can thrive almost anyplace because they are low-maintenance. You can propagate your succulents in a few easy steps that we will talk about it sometime. 

What Exactly is Propagating Succulents Means?

We are talking about how to propagate succulents but this section will help you to know what exactly does it means.

Succulents are one of the easiest plants to propagate from either leaves or stems because it’s straightforward. After all, it’s what they do. To propagate means to reproduce.

There are few varieties in succulents that can only propagate from one or another. And there are other varieties that you can propagate from its offsets. Each variety of the propagation is more accessible than the last. 

Do you know pots for keeping succulents also play an important plant in their healthy growth of them? Check the guide on how to choose the pots for succulents the right way.

How to Propagate Succulents? 

Coming to the main part where we help you learn how to propagate succulents easily. There are a few ways that you need to follow so that it will help you propagate succulents.

To propagate succulents, you can either use cuttings, pups, or leaves method. We will talk about all the ways in our guide so that you can choose according to your requirements. Let’s get started. 

There are many other plants that you can grow through the propagation technique:

1. Money Plant
2. Philodendron
3. Asparagus
4. Calathea Medallion
5. Snake Plant

How to Propagate Succulents using Cuttings?

The first method in our guide on how to propagate succulents is through cuttings. Have a look! 

Step 1: Take a Cutting

One of the easiest ways to propagate new succulents from the stem is to cut off a piece of stem from its existing plant. This method is generally a bit easier.

All you need to do is use a sharp, clean cutting tool to take your cutting. It is imperative to have a clean break because this will help minimize damage to the plant. Make a soft cut just above the parent plant spot. It will improve the growth of the parent plant and its appearance. 

Remove some of the lower leaves from the cutting and plant only the stem. Make sure you’re not planting the leaves in the soil. There are two ways to process once you have your cutting. They are as follows: 

• Callous method
• Rooting hormone method 

Callous Method

The formation of callous from the cutting takes place in three to five days according to the climate conditions. When the cut becomes tough, dried out, and withered, it forms into Callous, which indicates it’s ready to plant. 

Rooting Hormone Method

The rooting hormone method is where you need to dip the cut end into the rooting hormone powder. It is a white powder that contains a key ingredient called indole-3-butyric acid, a substance that acts like a plant’s natural rooting hormone. 

Using this synthetic rooting hormone allows the cut to grow their roots faster. All you need is to add a pinch of rooting hormone, dip the stem’s cut end, and tap the excess powder away. Make sure your skin doesn’t get in contact with the powder. 

Step: Plant Succulents Cuttings

To plant your cutting choose a well-draining pre-moistened soil specially designed for succulents. If you like to make a custom soil mix, you can use coco peat or horticultural pumice and fertilize it with a manure tea product. You can also use a potting mix that contains a mix of processed forest products, sphagnum peat moss, sand, perlite, a wetting agent, and fertilizer. 

Whatever potting mix you prefer to plant your succulent cuttings, don’t use garden soil, potting soil, or sand for your cutting because all these materials are heavy in the soil. It will lead to waterlogging and rotting of the succulent. Use a growing medium for your succulent, good drainage, and pest free. 

After you plant your cutting, wait until the soil has dried out, don’t water the soil immediately because this little succulent needs to grow and develop roots. Please give it a good drench of water when the soil is arid. It will help in retaining its moisture. Once you notice that your cutting has new growth, you can water your succulents. 

After a few weeks into the soil, your succulent initially grows in its root system. When you give it a gentle tug, you will notice it has anchored in the soil firmly. Maybe after a month or so, you can feed your plant with some plant food. 

And that’s how you can propagate succulents from cuttings from the parent plant. This is the easiest method to multiply your succulents in no time. 

How to Propagate Succulents from Leaves?

Firstly you need to water your parent plant to retain its moisture in the soil so that you will be able to propagate from leaves later on. To create a new succulent from leaves, slowly pull off the stem leaf you want to propagate. 

Once you have a good leaf, let the wet part from the Callous end dry out. Then keep your leaves shade atop in loosely draining soil or a custom potting mix. Remember you need to pluck off the healthy mature leaf, not the broken or a dark yellow one, as this won’t give you any new plants.

Here are a few of the different opinions from a few home gardeners about the propagation. Some say leaves don’t need water as this will lead to rot. At the same time, few recommend that misting the leaves and soil with a spray bottle every three days will lead to growth. Those who live in humid conditions you might want to leave them alone. 

When you see your succulent growing out of the Callous end, shift it to filtered or indirect sunlight so that your new plants and roots don’t dry out from the excessive heat. 

After a few weeks, your little succulent plant will grow enough to separate from its leaves and plant. 

If you want a long but relaxing way to keep you busy, you can try this method to propagate succulents. 

Make sure you do not use yellow leaves. There are various reasons and solutions to fix yellow leaves.

How to Propagate Succulents from Offshoots, Chicks or Pups?

Various succulents grow as mini versions of themselves after propagation. It will look similar to see as if you propagate leaf.

These are baby succulents that have their root system at the base. You can replant them right away by gently removing them.

On the other hand, this variety of succulents grows out of the air, and they are looking forward to propagating.

This propagation method isn’t the right way to get more new plants if the parent plant is in the same pot because the pot will get overcrowded with new growth. 

What are the Easiest Succulents To Propagate?

Now, you know how to propagate succulents, it is time to know which are the easiest varieties of succulents that you can grow easily.

Here is the list of succulents that are easy to propagate. So keep an eye out for these types of succulents while you purchase. They are 

• Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly bean plant, pork, and beans) 
• Graptosedum “Alpenglow”
• Graptosedum “California Sunset”
• Sedum morganianum (burro’s tail, donkey’s tail, burrito)
• Aloe vera
• Jade plant 
• Hens and chicks
• Panda plant
• Ponytail palm
• Snake plant 

These are some of the succulent varieties that you can easily grow without scratching your heads. 

Some Common Mistakes to Avoid While Propagating Succulents

Here are common mistakes to avoid when propagating succulents.

• Water the succulent when you notice the soil is dry only. However, overwatering can lead to rot. 
• Not using a fleshy mature stem or leaf for new healthy succulents. 
• Avoid using broken leaves, young small leaves, or dried leaves as they will not give enough nutrients for newer growth. 
• Avoid placing the baby succulents in direct sunlight, as it will burn the new tender leaves, or the cutting will dry out. 
• Propagating succulents requires a lot of patience as it might take several weeks for the cuttings to start growing. 
• Don’t use garden soil or sand or potting mix to propagate succulents as it will hold too much moisture in the soil and lead to fungal or bacterial growth in the cuttings.
• Take the help of our article discussing how to prepare the soil for planting in pots.  

There are many ways to propagate succulents. But often, not every attempt will give you a success rate. Some won’t propagate from a plant leaf, and others won’t take multiple cuttings to propagate from. 

Is it Possible to Propagate Succulents in Water? 

Yes, you can propagate succulents in water, although you need to be careful while trying this method. Take a clean cut of the leaves or stem from the parent plant and remove the bottom leaves. Then grab a water jar and slightly place the Callous end dip in the water. As the water evaporates, replenishing your supply, you will notice that the roots have started to develop in a few weeks. 

However, this method is a tedious process as it requires changing the water occasionally to keep it clean and at the right level. Moreover, it would be best to cover it with plastic wrap, poke holes in it, and insert the exposed nodes above the water but make sure that the stem never touches it. 

Though it takes a lot of effort to propagate succulents in water with this method, it works when the cutting is smaller than the mouth of the jar. 

Concluding How to Propagate Succulents!

This is all we have for now on how to propagate succulents. Propagating Succulents is an easy way to create new plants. Though it takes a lot of patience, once you give it a try, soon you will be addicted to propagating your plants.

You can propagate succulents from leaves, offsets, or cuttings, but only the simple formula requires the ‘cuts’ end to heal before replanting them into the soil.

It might take a bit of trial and error for successful propagation. But for all of its worth will result in enjoying the timeless beauty of these plants for years to come. 

What are your thoughts? Would you follow our guide on how to propagate succulents? Which of these methods will you try to propagate succulents? Do let us know in the comments section below. Why are my propagated succulents dying?

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