How to Propagate a Succulent Plant

Written By: Camelia Moczydlowski

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 - 25 minutes

Introduction

This guide will show you how to remove a cutting from your succulent plant and grow it as a new plant. At least basic previous expertise in gardening will be necessary. Guides such as How to Pot A Plant and How to Care For Succulents may be helpful to the user.

You will need an existing succulent plant as well as the items listed in the tools section, which will be used to create an environment for your new plant. This guide includes directions on how best to cut your succulent to promote growth, how to set up the plant’s new pot for the best drainage, and how to properly water the new succulent to promote root growth while avoiding root rot and/or drowning your plant.

Taking a cutting from your succulent is a good way to maintain the size of your plant so it does not outgrow its pot. It is also a good way to get a second plant! However, you should only try to propagate your succulent if the plant is healthy and mature, otherwise taking a cutting may damage the plant.

Tools

Step 1

Choose an appropriate pot for your plant.
Your plant should have at least an inch of space in all directions between itself and the edges of the pot. This prevents overcrowding and allows for healthy growth.
Be careful to avoid choosing a pot that is too big. If the plant is unable to absorb all the water in the soil, this can lead to drowning and root rot.

Step 2

Cover the bottom of the new pot with a layer of small rocks.
Placing rocks at the bottom of the pot creates a better drainage system by providing open space between the rocks to catch excess water. This will help prevent root rot.
Using a pot with drainage holes can also prevent soil from being lost because it allows water to drain out.

Step 3

Fill your new pot with a couple inches of potting soil. A good rule of thumb is to fill the first ⅓ of the pot.
Do not pack down the soil — this will make it more difficult for your plant’s roots to grow and reduce oxygen in the soil.

Step 4

Carefully cut off the piece of the succulent you want to propagate.
When cutting a branch of your succulent, cut it low on the plant so you get a long stem for your cutting.

Step 5

Gently position your cutting in its new pot.
Fill the pot with an appropriate amount of soil. Your plant should be close enough the top of the pot to obtain sunlight, but deep enough in the soil to be secure.

Step 6

Add a layer of soil to fill the area around your plant. You have added enough when the roots are buried and the plant can stand upright without tipping over.
As you fill the rest of your pot with soil, you will need to hold your plant steady with one hand. This is because the roots are not yet buried, so the insecure plant will not be able to stand on its own.
After you’ve added a few inches of soil, gently let go of your plant and see if it can remain upright independently.

Step 7

Water your plant just enough to dampen the soil around it.
Be careful not to overwater the plant. Succulent plants are acclimated to growing in the desert with scarce water and can easily drown if given too much water.
After the first watering, it is better to simply mist the soil with a spray bottle to maintain a healthy amount of moisture for your succulent. Allow the soil to dry completely before misting.

Conclusion

You may follow the steps in this process again as your plant continues to grow

Author

Camelia Moczydlowski

Member since: 29/03/21

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How to Propagate a Succulent Plant

Introduction

Tools

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