When is the best time to sow succulent seeds?

For succulent growing, most people may start from leaves or seedlings, but succulents can also be grown from seeds, so when is the best time to sow succulent seeds?

1. What kind of plant are succulents?

Succulents are actually a category, referring to plants whose leaves, among the three vegetative organs of root, stem and leaf, are thick and juicy and capable of storing large amounts of water. There are many varieties of succulents, with more than 10,000 species worldwide.

Because of their well-developed meristematic tissue, succulents grow easily and survive easily, and are known for being easy to propagate. Commonly used methods include grafting, cuttings, sowing, root cuttings, division and leaf cuttings.

Among these, leaf cuttings are the most efficient for propagating Crassulaceae, and are used by most people.

2. When to sow succulent seeds?

Different succulent varieties are suited to different sowing times. The sowing time for succulents is related to the ambient temperature:

Lithops seeds are best sown at around 15-20°C;

Crassulaceae seeds are best sown at around 20°C, and can be sown in either spring or autumn;

Cactus seeds need to be sown at temperatures above 30°C; Conophytum seeds are best sown at around 15°C.

Therefore, judging the sowing time simply by month or season is very one-sided. Generally, as long as the temperature is suitable, you can sow, but succulent germination also takes a certain amount of time, and the temperature changes after sowing must also be taken into account. If the temperature drops or rises quickly after sowing, then you can wait a while before sowing.

The soil mix commonly used for succulents is peat soil + perlite (1:1). If you are unable to mix it yourself, you can buy potting soil from a flower shop.