Growing Succulents from Cuttings

Who doesn’t love succulents? Growing these low-maintenance plants is a great experience as they not only require minimal care but are easy to propagate as well. Rooting succulents can be done effortlessly. This blog post will teach you when & how to grow succulents from cuttings successfully with a complete care guide and much more!

What are Succulent Cuttings?

Growing a succulent from cuttings is the easiest and most common method. It is a great idea to re-grow your succulents cost-effectively without buying new ones. Propagation is a magical process of growing new plants by taking an element from the parent plant. Crassula, Echeveria, Aeoniums, and Haworthia are well-known varieties of succulents that can be best propagated from cuttings.

How to Take Cuttings from Succulents?

Taking a cutting for propagation from a healthy succulent plant is easier as well as faster than leaf propagation. To begin with, take a pair of clean scissors and cut off a part of the plant right above the leaf of the stem. You can cut off the top of the plant in case your succulent has become leggy due to inadequate sunlight.

When to Take Succulent Cuttings?

It is believed to take succulent cuttings any time of the year. However, the best time will be during their active growing period in spring or summer. Taking cuttings in their growing months will help the mature plant to recover quicker and at the same time, will give strength to the baby succulent to flourish healthily on its own.

How to Regrow Succulents from Cuttings?

There are two ways in which succulents grow from cuttings:

• Leaf Cuttings
• Stem Cuttings

Rooting succulent cuttings indoors is easier as compared to outdoors. Learn these beginner-friendly propagation techniques to expand your succulent collection without spending anything.

Propagating Succulents with Stem Cuttings:

1. Prepare the Pot or Container

The first step in the process is to get a pot with drainage holes. Make sure the pot is big enough as there needs to be a space of a few inches around each cutting. Begin with filling the pot with well-drained soil or a cactus potting mix that will lead to improved drainage.

2. Plant the Stem Cuttings

Plant the bottom part of the stem into the soil. Remove the leaves if they are touching the soil. Now, press the soil gently to make the cutting stand vertically straight.

3. Water Guide

Baby succulents need more watering than mature ones. It is recommended to water the cuttings two to four times a week. Avoid letting the soil dry out but do not overwater. Humidity in the air is also an important factor. Young plants prefer slightly higher levels of humidity.

4. Place in the Ideal Location

Once the cuttings are properly inserted, it is time to find their perfect spot. Succulent cuttings do not prefer harsh outdoor sun and grow best in full to partial sun exposure. Young plants need bright light to grow new roots. Thus, a north or east-facing window is considered ideal for their growth.

5. New Growth Period

Stem cuttings usually take 4 to 6 weeks to start rooting. Some succulents root faster than other plants. After one month of planting stem cuttings, reduce watering to 3 to 4 times a month. Once the young plants become mature, you can begin giving regular succulent care.

Rooting in Water with Stems:

If you are confused about how to put succulent cuttings in water, we are here with a step-by-step guide.

• To begin with, snip 2 to 4-inches of stem cutting by using a clean pair of scissors.
• Remove extra bottom leaves so the stem can be planted better.
• Take a glass jar, fill it with water, and put the cutting into it. Place the jar in a sunny spot and leave it till the roots start to grow.
• In 2 to 5 weeks, you will see the rooting take place. Make sure to check the jar in between and change the water every few days if needed.

Propagating Succulents with Leaf Cuttings:

1. Take Leaf Cuttings from Succulents

Simply twist a healthy leaf off the stem. Make sure to have a clean pull without damaging the leaf. It is interesting to note that Sedums and Echeverias can be regrown from leaf cuttings.

2. Let the Leaf Dry Out

Once you have taken the cutting, it is time to let it dry out. Place the cutting in a container and leave it for 3 to 4 days. This step ensures the cutting doesn’t absorb more water when it is watered the first time and prevents it from drowning.

3. Plant the Succulent

After drying out the leaf cutting, it is time to plant it in a container with a well-drained soil mix. Put the leaf cutting on top of the soil and let it thrive.

4. Succulent Cuttings Care

Succulents prefer bright sunlight that is not direct. Hence, it is best to place them in a window near a bright filtered light during the morning hours or late afternoon. Young plants like to be watered more than mature plants. Watering should be done frequently using a spray bottle when the soil becomes dry. To avoid root rot, do not overwater. Moreover, cuttings grow best in the humid air.

5. New Growth Period

Leaf cuttings usually take a month to start rooting. Repotting succulents may take a few months. Once the leaf turns brown and falls off, you will know it is time to repot it.

Rooting in Water with Leaves:

Twist a healthy undamaged leaf cutting and leave it to dry out for 4 to 5 days. Now, get a glass jar filled with water and place the leaf cutting in a way that the leaves do not touch the water. Once done, put the jar in a spot with bright to partial sunlight. You will start seeing the results in 2 to 6 weeks.

How to Transplant Succulent Cuttings?

Replanting succulent cuttings is quite manageable, even if you are a beginner. Succulents can be easily transplanted from one setting to another. Let’s go through the transplanting guide:

• Before starting the replanting process, give the roots of your plant a day or two to heal on their own. During this time, avoid watering the succulent and leave it as it is.
• While transplanting succulent cuttings, it is important to use well-drained soil for better drainage. In addition, you can add some organic matter like potting soil or compost, and other materials like pumice, sharp sand, clay or, grit.
• Make sure to replant your succulents at their original depth. Place the plant and fill the pot with fresh potting soil. Once done, let your succulents rest for a day or two so that they can heal on their own. While they rest, keep the soil dry and do not water the plants.

When to Replant Succulent Cuttings?

Transplanting can be done when the original leaf dries out and the young succulent matures. You can start the process by removing the leaf, taking the plant out, and simply replanting it in another pot.

How to Repot a Succulent Cutting?

Repotting succulent cuttings is an easy and fun method.

• Take a small cutting of the succulent by using a sharp pair of scissors. The section should contain leaves as well as a part of the stem.
• Let the cutting dry out overnight before planting. This step is important as the cutting will heal when exposed to sunlight and air.
• Prepare a new planter and add a layer of well-drained soil. Now, put the cutting on top of the soil with the support of a popsicle stick. Place the pot indoors in bright sunlight near a window.
• After a few weeks, roots will begin to develop from the cutting. Once the roots of the succulents are fully formed, you can shift the pot to a warm location. During this time, watering should be done periodically.

When to Repot Succulent Cuttings?

Repotting is mostly done to save the plant from getting completely damaged. The need for repotting succulents arises when they start facing the below-mentioned problems:

• Leggy stems
• Weak or dried leaves
• Branches growing out of their pots
• Root systems forming in the bottom of containers from drainage holes

Starting a succulent cutting is an interesting process. Root your plants hassle-free with our complete succulent cuttings care guide.