How to Multiply Your Succulents: Simple Propagation Tips for Beginners

Succulents are some of the most popular houseplants around, and for good reason! They’re low-maintenance, visually appealing, and come in a variety of shapes and colors. But what if you could multiply the beauty of your succulent collection without having to buy more? Propagating succulents is the answer!

Succulent propagation is an easy and rewarding process, allowing you to create new plants from cuttings, leaves, or even offsets. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of propagating succulents, share some tips for success, and even provide a simple plan you can follow. By the end, you’ll be ready to propagate your own succulents and grow your collection.

Why Propagate Succulents?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Propagating succulents offers several benefits:

1. Cost-Effective: Propagation allows you to grow new plants without spending money at the nursery or plant store.
2. Increase Your Collection: If you have a few favorite succulents, you can multiply them and create a mini garden.
3. Gift Idea: Succulent cuttings make fantastic gifts for friends and family. They’re personal, thoughtful, and easy to share.
4. Plant Health: Removing and propagating certain parts of the plant can sometimes help rejuvenate the parent plant, leading to healthier growth.

The Basics of Succulent Propagation

Succulent propagation can be done in several ways, depending on the type of plant and your preferences. The most common methods are through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, and offsets. We’ll cover each method, including the best succulents to propagate with each technique.

1. Propagating Succulents from Leaf Cuttings

Leaf cuttings are the easiest and most popular method of propagating succulents. The process involves taking a healthy leaf from the plant, letting it callus over, and then rooting it in soil or water.

How to Propagate with Leaf Cuttings:

1. Choose a Healthy Leaf: Select a plump, healthy leaf from the succulent plant. It should be free of any damage or signs of disease.
2. Remove the Leaf: Gently twist or cut the leaf off the stem. Be sure to get a clean break, leaving the leaf intact and undamaged.
3. Let the Leaf Callus Over: Place the leaf on a clean, dry surface and let it air-dry for 1-3 days. This step is crucial because it helps the leaf form a callus (a protective layer) over the cut surface. Without this, the leaf could rot when placed in soil.
4. Plant the Leaf: After the leaf has callused, place it on well-draining cactus or succulent soil. You can also use a shallow tray or pot. Make sure the cut side of the leaf is touching the soil, but don’t bury it too deep.
5. Watering: Mist the soil lightly with water (don’t soak it) and place the leaf in bright, indirect light. Be sure the soil remains dry for the first few weeks—succulents don’t like sitting in wet soil.
6. Wait for Roots to Develop: After a few weeks, you should see tiny roots beginning to grow. At this point, the leaf will also produce new shoots. Once the baby plant is big enough, you can transfer it into its own pot.

Best Succulents for Leaf Cutting Propagation:

• Echeveria
• Crassula (Jade Plant)
• Sedum
• Graptopetalum

2. Propagating Succulents from Stem Cuttings

Stem cuttings are another popular method for propagating succulents. This technique works well for succulents with thicker, more robust stems, like the Jade plant or the Burro’s Tail.

How to Propagate with Stem Cuttings:

1. Select a Healthy Stem: Choose a healthy stem that has a few leaves attached. A longer, mature stem with a few leaves or a “top cutting” is ideal for propagation.
2. Cut the Stem: Use a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors to make a clean cut just below a leaf node (the point on the stem where leaves or branches emerge). Aim for a cutting that’s around 3-6 inches long.
3. Let the Cutting Callus Over: Just like with leaf cuttings, let the stem cutting dry and callus over for 1-3 days. This prevents rot and helps the cutting establish healthy roots once planted.
4. Plant the Cutting: After the cutting has dried, plant the stem in a pot filled with cactus or succulent soil. Insert the cut end about an inch or two deep into the soil. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as too much moisture can cause rot.
5. Watering and Light: Water lightly after planting, and place the cutting in a bright location with indirect light. Avoid over-watering—wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.
6. Wait for Roots to Grow: In 2-4 weeks, you should begin to notice roots forming. Once the cutting is established with a healthy root system, you can transplant it into its own pot.

Best Succulents for Stem Cutting Propagation:

• Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
• Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
• Senecio (String of Pearls)
• Kalanchoe

3. Propagating Succulents from Offsets (Pups)

Some succulents naturally produce small plantlets, called offsets or pups, at the base of the parent plant. These can be separated and repotted to create new plants. This method is particularly popular with succulents like the Aloe Vera and certain varieties of Agave.

How to Propagate with Offsets:

1. Look for Offsets: Examine the base of your succulent plant for small plantlets growing around the main stem. These can be tiny pups or more mature offsets, depending on the plant.
2. Gently Separate the Offsets: Once you’ve identified the offset, carefully pull or cut it from the main plant. Use a clean, sharp knife or shears if needed, taking care not to damage the roots of either the offset or the parent plant.
3. Let the Offset Callus Over: Just like with leaf and stem cuttings, allow the offset to air dry for a few days to form a callus before planting.
4. Plant the Offset: After it has dried, plant the offset in a pot with well-draining soil. Place it in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light.
5. Water Lightly: Water the newly planted offset lightly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. After a few weeks, the offset should start developing its own root system.

Best Succulents for Offsets Propagation:

• Aloe Vera
• Agave
• Sempervivum (Hen and Chicks)
• Echeveria

A Simple Succulent Propagation Plan

Whether you’re propagating from leaves, stems, or offsets, having a plan can help ensure the success of your propagation efforts. Here’s a simple propagation plan you can follow:

Week 1:

• Choose a healthy leaf, stem, or offset to propagate.
• Let the cutting or offset dry for 1-3 days to form a callus.
• Prepare a well-draining potting mix and choose a pot with drainage holes.

Week 2:

• Plant the cutting or offset in the soil.
• Lightly water the soil, being careful not to overwater.
• Place the pot in a bright location with indirect sunlight.

Week 3-4:

• Check for roots and new growth. Be patient—rooting can take a few weeks.
• Water sparingly—only when the soil is completely dry.

After 4+ Weeks:

• Once the new plant has roots and is showing signs of growth, transplant it into a larger pot if needed.
• Continue to care for it just like a mature succulent, ensuring it gets plenty of light and only water when the soil is dry.

Sunny Thoughts ☀️

Succulent propagation is a fun and rewarding activity that allows you to grow your plant collection for free! Whether you choose to propagate from leaves, stems, or offsets, you’ll find that with a little patience and care, you’ll have new succulents in no time.

What’s your favorite succulent to propagate? Have you had success with any of the methods mentioned? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear how your succulent propagation journeys are going!