Easiest Way to Propagate Succulents
Instagram and TikTok are full of complicated methods for propagating succulents including using special root hormones, soil mixtures and planting material. However, if you have a bright sunny spot, with a little bit of time and luck you can easily propagate most succulents quite simply. We’ll outline one of the easiest ways we use in our own greenhouse.
Whenever we’re working in the greenhouse with succulents inevitably we’ll lose a leaf or two especially when repotting. We always save those and create a nursery tray which will work for you too.
Collect Loose Leaves
Start with a few leaves from the succulents you want to propagate. You can either trim down succulents as they get leggy and separate the leaves or gently pull the leaves from your fuller succulents. It’s good to start with a few because the success rate won't be 100%.
Create a Nursery
Find a container or pot with enough room for all the leaves (it can be an extra planter you have around or even something as shallow as a baking dish) and fill it with a layer of soil. It doesn’t have to be too deep because you’ll likely move your baby succulents before the roots get too long. It also doesn't need to have drainage holes. Do not wet the soil.
Arrange Leaves to Dry
Lay your leaves flat on top of the soil keeping them exposed to the air with a little bit of space around each one. Place the container in a warm area with indirect sunlight while you wait for the roots to sprout. Don’t water the soil at first. Give the leaves time to dry and callous on the end first. This may take a few days but you’ll notice a scabbed end form on the leaf.
Water
Once your leaves have become calloused it is okay to start watering. The best way to do this is to start by misting your leaves. Until they establish roots your succulent propagations will need to be watered a bit more often than established succulents. Misting your leaves every 2 days or so keeps the moisture and water at the top layer where it’s needed most
Cover Roots
In 2-4 weeks you should start to see tiny roots forming on the ends of the cuttings. Gently push those leaves into the soil to cover the roots and keep misting or lightly watering the soil. Because the roots are so shallow you will still need to water every few days.
Encourage new growth
In a month or two after the roots have started to form you should see baby succulents. At this point you can move them to a brighter spot to encourage growth but avoid direct sunlight. Continue to water every few days or when the soil feels dry. Baby succulents need a bit more watering then more mature plants because the root system isn’t as established.
Transplant
As the baby succulent grows, the original leaf will start to shrivel. At this point your new succulents are ready to be moved into their own pots. Carefully remove the succulent from your nursery and twist off the old shriveled leaf. Plant the new succulent in the pot or container of your choice along with succulent/cactus soil.
Once you’ve successfully transplanted your baby succulents you can call your propagation a success! Your new plants will continue to need a little more water than mature plants for a while and you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight until they are more established.
For even more methods to propagate your succulents check out this article from Succulent Plant Care