This step-by-step guide on propagating succulents from leaves will teach you how to grow more succulents from the ones you already have!
The ease with which succulents could be cared for and multiplied intrigued me as I began my research.
It’s true that succulents are easier to propagate than many other plants, but I’ve had a difficult time doing so in my dry Utah climate!
With a little trial and error, I was able to simplify things, and I’m going to share those tips with you right now.
I’m going to show you how I grow succulents from leaves in this post. These tips may not work in all climates, but they have worked for me in the past.
Remove a leaf for seed germination
Succulent genus and species determine what kind of cuttings you can take. Most tender Sedums and some Echeverias can be propagated using either a leaf or a cutting–though I prefer to use leaves for both methods.–
When it comes to Aeoniums, cuttings are the only way to propagate them, so you can’t start with just one leaf. It’s best to experiment (like I did) to see what works best for your particular situation because every variety of succulents is unique.
To propagate a leaf, simply twist the leaf gently off the stem. Make sure there is nothing left on the stem when you pull the plug. As a matter of fact, it’s perfectly acceptable to remove a small portion of the stem.
Breaking a leaf just before the stem has always resulted in its death, so be sure to go all the way down and remove it from the plant. A clear view of the stem helps when removing a leaf from its stem.
How to propagate a cutting
In contrast, sharp scissors or pruning shears are required for taking a cutting. Remove a portion of the succulent stem just above a leaf with a sharp knife.
Cutting a new offshoot of the succulent stem is an option. Either option will do!
Dehydrate the leaf or cutting you’ve chosen.
Wait a few minutes after you’ve taken your cutting or leaf to let it dry before continuing. Leave the leaf or cutting alone for one to three days, depending on the amount of heat and sunlight.
Leaf or cuttings can drown if they aren’t given time to scab over before being watered for the first time. It’s perfectly acceptable if the cutting begins to shrivel. When this happens, it’s time to start watering.
Taking care of your plant’s needs
Leaves and cuttings of succulents need to be watered daily, whereas mature succulents don’t. However, if you give them too much water, they will turn orange-brown and eventually die.
That which I’ve found to be most effective is as follows.
Leaves should be placed on top of the soil and watered whenever the soil dries out, making sure their ends don’t touch the soil at all. My preferred method of getting the top layer of soil wet is with a spray bottle.
Most of the leaves I tried to plant this way either rotted or just grew roots, but never started a new plant, as some experts advise.
Cuttings, as opposed to leaves, must be planted in the ground. Once you plant and water them, they’ll grow roots like a full-grown succulent has never seen before!
Each time you notice that the soil is drying out, you should water your cuttings. Your cuttings will begin to grow new roots and leaves within a few weeks after you learn how to water them properly.
Be patient and watch for results.
Succulent leaves and cuttings need time to form new rosettes and roots. The succulent propagation time is affected by many factors, including the time of year, temperature, type of succulents, humidity, etc.
As a result, you should begin to see some results in as little as two to three weeks.
No need to be alarmed if you see a rosette developing on your leaf, but there are no roots to speak of This is not out of the ordinary. The leaf is supplying the baby succulent with all of the nutrients it needs to thrive. As it grows, it will begin to “search” for water by shedding roots.
Roots can be encouraged by keeping the leaves on top of the soil that is damp.
Propagation Success Rates for Succulents
Don’t be alarmed if some of your cuttings or leaves die; more than half of my first batch didn’t. It’s possible that some plants will not grow as much as their siblings, while others will produce a lot of roots but no leaves. Every cut is unique, and it’s perfectly acceptable to lose some hair!
Make sure to keep the roots of your new plants covered with soil as they begin to grow, or they’ll dry out and your plants will probably stop growing.
When is the best time to plant succulents that have been propagated?
Succulents can take up to a year to reach their “normal” size, which can be measured in months rather than weeks. As a result, this is not a lightning-fast method–but it does the trick!
Cover the roots as soon as you notice them. They’ll be able to stay cool and hydrated this way. Keep watering the soil to keep it moist.
Nothing needs to be done with the original leaf. The mother leaf will eventually shrivel up and die as the baby succulent grows. When the mother leaf separates from the bay leaf, it is completely normal.
Once this happens, make sure to keep the baby succulent well-watered. Then you can move it to a new pot or arrangement once it has established a strong root system and is flourishing on its own.
Waiting until the new baby is at least an inch in diameter is recommended before repotting. It’s also preferable if the infant has a substantial root system.
After the baby has moved in, be sure to give it plenty of water so that it can continue to grow.
If you give it a go, you’ll soon be hooked on growing your own plants!
