Easy ways to propagate succulents at your home garden

Succulents are nature’s tremendously efficient plants and to improve growth experts have come up with multiple easy ways to propagate succulents. They are types of xerophyte with roots that flourish the finest in dry and sunbaked environments. These plants can reserve water in their fat and fleshy leaves to survive without moisture for a long time. 

Succulents have a variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes. These plants grow in the outdoors in moderate weather and make brilliant add-ons to xeriscapes, where irrigation is negligible. They can grow in between rocks and pavements and peeking out from cracks in pebble walls and to spread their glory, the need is to learn easy ways to propagate succulents.

Propagating succulents

These multipurpose plants also bloom indoors but, only in containers that have good drainage and airflow. Propagating succulents is bliss and very easy, it’s just you have to choose easiest succulents to propagate. However, there are options like growing plants from seeds, but if you are looking for quicker ways, you must try propagating them.  

It is pretty easy to grow succulents from the plants that you have in your garden. It will not just save your time but will also be cost-efficient on your pockets for a decent time. However, propagating succulents offsets requires considering some methods and precautions for promising future.

There are several benefits of propagating your succulents. Firstly, it is easy; second, it is a quicker process as succulent propagation timeline is lesser than growing a new one; and third and the most vital part is it is free of cost. These are the three simplest ways in which you can propagate a succulent right at home. In this article, you will invade the secrets of easy propagating in a step-by-step structure.

How to propagate succulents from leaves

Leaf-cutting is one of the easiest and best ways for a beginner to propagate their succulents. Leaves of some succulents usually fall off in the bottom or are loose and pop off easily making them one of the easiest succulents to propagate. All you have to do is use these leaves to grow a new plant from it. If you ever notice your succulents while re-potting them, you will see that the leaves fall off quite easily. However, did you know that leaf can regrow into a whole new plant? Don’t worry now you will be able to do it with the help of these steps.

Propagation from leaves

1st Step:

Smoothly pluck loose leaves in a twisting motion from your succulent. Ensure that you get the whole part comprising of the tiny nub where it connects to the stem. If the leaf has any cuts, it will be of no use so, make sure you do this with care and delicately. 

The correct shape of the leaf will be a U on the base connecting to the plant. Do not worry if the leaves are not perfect. You can still try to re-pot it to create a new succulent. We’ve positively grown new succulents from not so precise cutting, yet selecting the best leaf will yield the best outcome and may affect the succulent propagation timeline positively.

2nd Step:

It is a vital step and must be precisely done. Now set the cutting on a paper towel or any dry surface for some days and ensure that the ends dry out quite well. If the base is not dry before planting, it will result in root rotting and a lag in growth, and may hurt the succulent propagation timeline. The process of drying the end is known as callousing.

3rd Step:

After the process of callousing is done successfully now place the leaf on the soil bed superficially. Ensure to use the right soil mix for your type of succulents. These soils promote drainage and do not retain much water. It prevents root rotting and suffocating of roots in the topsoil. But, you should also gather some information on how to propagate succulents in water.

Right Soil for propagation

Later place the container in an area with sufficient sunlight. However, avoid keeping it in direct sunlight, or it will hamper growth. Water the leaves occasionally about twice a week, or lightly moisten the soil mix for speeding up succulent propagation timeline. After a few weeks, you will notice roots growing from the leaves and young succulent shoots sprouting from the plant.

4th Step:

Perform this step with care to avoid harming the baby succulent. Cautiously remove the original leaf after it dries up and the baby succulent is at least half an inch tall. Later if you wish to, you can scoop the baby succulent and re-pot it in a different container. However, ensure you do not disturb the roots!

Propagate Succulents from Offsets- Branch or Offshoot Cutting

This propagating process involves cutting and planting the branches or offshoots. Removal of the complete branch of any succulent tree takes place, to form a new plant out of that branch. But, to assess growth factor positively, one should know in terms of days, it takes how long for succulent cuttings to root?

However, this process can be a little risky and requires proper knowledge before performing it. If not done precisely, it may cause severe damage to the plant or result in succulent cuttings not rooting.

1st Step:

Use a pair of scissors or a knife to chop the offshoot or branch from the original plant. Ensure that the scissors are extremely sharp so that the process is smooth.

Cutting the offset

2nd Step:

Now place the branch or offshoot superficially into the topsoil. If you are propagating an arm, pluck a few leaves near to the cut and push the branch properly into the soil. It will give better support to the plant before root formation. In case of an offshoot, remove the outer leaves of your succulent. Later place its base in the soil for propagating succulents offsets.

3rd Step:

Do not let the soil turn very dry and water whenever you notice dryness in the topsoil. The process of forming roots might require some time so, be patient enough and do not take extra care if you do not see succulent cuttings not rooting soon.

How to propagate succulents from stems

The stems of most succulents can be cut and plant for new growth. Just pluck the stem and remove the leaves, and re-pot it into a new container. The spaces with the old leaves will start growing baby leaves and thriving. This method works well for plants that have grown too long stems due to lack of sunlight making them one of the easiest succulents to propagate. Saving your plant becomes simple with this process of propagation.  

Propagation from stem cutting

1st Step:

With the help of a sharp and clean scissor or knife, cut the main stem or a branch. Ensure you cut branches and stems that have grown too long.

2nd Step:

After that, remove the rosette on the head of the stem and keep it in the soil. It will help it thrive in a new plant. 

3rd Step:

Now you can remove the leaves from the new plat and set them to dry for a few days until callousing takes place. On completing this process, place the base of the stem in the correct soil mix. Follow the succulent propagation timeline and water the plant for few weeks at occasional intervals and wait for the baby succulent to sprout. Soon, you will notice new leaves growing from the ends of the old leaves.

To understand and grasp better knowledge about succulents, you can check this video

It will give you a broader idea and perspective about propagation and additional tips to keep your succulents healthy. It will provide details that you are looking for and prevent the usual mistakes that might occur while propagating succulents offsets.

Tips to excel:

  • Use the correct soil for propagating your plants we, recommend cactus soil for better results. 
  • Succulents being desert plants, have precise water needs that one should not exceed. So, ensure that your container has good drainage. And your soil does not retain a lot of moisture but, try to gather additional information on how to propagate succulents in water.
  • Avoid keeping baby succulents in direct sunlight. It can cause severe damage and leaf burn that will entirely hamper its growth.
  • The scissors and knives you use to cut your succulents must be sharp and clean as this prevents infection. Using a dirty or rusty tool can infect your succulent with diseases and injure your plants and may hamper the procedure of propagating succulents offsets.

Considering all these points, you can now take your love for succulents to a different level by expanding the plants that are already in your garden and have a superior succulent assortment!

Final Words

Now that you are full of assurance, you can go ahead and successfully use these easy tips to expand your succulent garden. They will help you in creating the garden of your dreams with ease and perfection and master the succulent propagation timeline. You can now multiply your garden and make it colorful and bloomy with an appealing look. 

Also, we hope this article has been a help for your propagating problems. For more information about easiest succulents to propagate, check out our other blogs. We hope you have fun gardening and propagating!