Tips on How to Propagate Succulent Leaves + Cuttings

I feel like you can’t talk about succulents without talking about one of the best parts of succulents; their amazing multiplying powers! You can literally take one plant and turn it into 10, 15, 30 more! It sounds crazy, but it’s possible by propagating succulents!

I really wanted to get a succulent propagation post up on my blog, but they take time! Growing little baby propagating succulents is something you need patience and a couple months for. Jordan Rosendale has this amazing video on her Youtube that covers propagation really well! She even has two other parts to the video that show continued updates. I really feel like Jordan and I would get along well. Watch the video and then read below for some of my succulent propagation tips and tricks, as well as a few things I like to do differently with my succulent babies.

Succulent Propagation Tips

When to Propagate Succulents

It’s time to propagate succulents when they start growing tall, the leaves aren’t really consistent anymore, or they’re just looking a little scrappy!

Trimming Succulents for Propagation

Trimming succulents before propagating isn’t something Jordan really covers. I only use scissors on the stem and I’m really careful when pulling off the individual leaves. You use a sort of twist/pull motion to break the leaves away from the stem. Make sure that there are no little stringy pieces left on the leaf.

The three products of succulent propagation are:

1. The individual leaves that will each make their own plant given the time
2. The top of the plant that was cut off and will start growing its own root system
3. The base, which will start growing its own little sprouts.

Calluses are important. Really make sure you let the leaves and top parts dry out and callous over before setting on the soil. If there isn’t a callus the leaf or stem will begin to rot.

Watering. When it comes to watering there are a few things to keep in mind. Like Jordan, I started off with watering once every few days. Now, I water almost every day. The more I’ve watered, the faster I’ve seen the babies grow and the tops take root. I use a spray bottle to water the dirt around the leaves, trying to water only the roots and dirt, but not really the leaves themselves. The wetter the leaves are, the more likely they are to mold or rot.

Sunlight. I don’t really think I’ve mastered the whole sunlight thing. I live in an apartment with no direct sunlight windows so none of my succulents are in direct sun and they’re doing really well! Apparently, I skipped a step that Jordan struggled with!

Succulent Propagation Odds

There are a couple of different outcomes from these leaves.

1. The leaf will grow roots, but no bud (will eventually die)
2. The leaf will grow leaves, but won’t take root (will also die)
3. And finally the magic combo, your leaf will grow buds and roots

You will end up with A LOT of succulents. Just be patient. It takes months and months for these succulents to grow and the more diligent you are with the care, the faster they will grow! This is a picture of succulent babies that I’ve had growing. Some have been growing longer than others, and some are just a few months old.

This picture is some of the tops that I’ve had growing and they’re doing really well too since I changed the way I water. Actually, they’re doing so well that I need to propagate a few of these as well!

New to propagation? Leave any questions in the comments below!

Been there, done this? Leave some tips that have worked for you in the comments, I always want more advice!