Propagation methods for succulents
- Succulent Boutique
- Jul 31, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 8, 2024
Here are a few propagation methods that have worked really well for me!
Method #1: It only takes one leaf!
Did you know you could grow an entire plant from one leaf? No, I'm not joking! If you were repotting your succulent and a few leaves fell off or if you simply have a succulent you want to propagate...GRAB.THOSE.LEAVES! I do want to add that the healthier the leaf the better the chances of having success. So, if a few leaves fell off of your plant just make sure they're still plump becuse the babies that grow will "feed" off of the mother leaf. As for plucking the leaves off yourself, you want to be gentle but firm. You also want to make sure that the leaf does not break in half as nothing will grow from a broken leaf. Grab the leaf you want as close to the base(the part attached to the stem) as you can get and pull it to the side. you may need to wiggle it side to side.
Once you've obtained your leaf or leaves it's time to propagate! This is the most exciting part!!! Just kidding lol. you're going to get a small planter or saucer (terracotta or plastic it doesn't matter) and fill with soil. Place your leaves on top and the waiting game begins. Some like to mist their propagated leaves, but I personally do not recommend this because it's more likely to cause rot and the mother leaf will provide the baby with everything it needs to grow.
Method #2: Cut that stem!
This method is great for leggy succulents, but you can also do it with any of your succulents. Grab your shears, scissors or whatever you use to cut things!
There are two locations where you can cut your stem. You can cut right under where your last succulent leaves grow. Please see picture for reference. Note, you may need to remove some of the leaves at the bottom. This is to make sure that when you place the top half in soil the leaves are not in the way and there is enough stem available for roots to grow.
The second location where you can cut is right in between your succulent. This is more so if your succulent grows bunched up together and the stem is not exposed. You can first remove the leaves in the location where you want to cut to expose the stem and then cut. You can also, if you have a strong wire or long scissors, just get in there and cut the stem. Either way you will need to remove some of the leaves so that there is enough stem exposed to place into the soil for roots to grow out of.
Once you've cut your succulent, and removed some of the leaves, you can place the top half in a fresh pot of soil. Some like to leave their cutting out so that the location where you cut can callus over. I personally don't think it's necessary, but if you would like to do that you can. You simply leave it out on it's side for 2-3 days and then put it in soil. Now what do you do with the other half of the stem that was already in soil? Absolutely nothing! It will continue to thrive and grow! It will actually begin to grow little babies on the stem. Use the first propagation method for the leaves you removed.
These two methods are the ones that I've had the most success with and I'm sure you will too! give them a try and feel free to leave a comment with questions or even your successful propagation pictures!
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Here are a few video examples of this method:
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