How Do You Propagate Succulents? A Few Common Methods to Teach You

Succulents are relatively easy to propagate. The commonly used methods include grafting, cuttings, sowing seeds, root cuttings, division, leaf cuttings, and cutting growing points, among which seed sowing is more common in the Aizoaceae family, leaf cuttings are the most efficient in propagating the Crassulaceae family, cutting growing points is most suitable for the Haworthia genus, and grafting is most widely used in the Cactaceae family. Let's take a look together below at how to propagate succulents!

Leaf Cutting Propagation

1. Gently twist and pick off fresh, mature leaves from plants such as those in the Echeveria genus, Pachyphytum genus, and Graptopetalum genus of the Crassulaceae family; the growing point at the base of the leaf must not be damaged.

2. Fill a shallow flat pot with growing medium, and the surface needs a top dressing.

3. Gently place the freshly picked leaves on the medium; they can only be laid flat with the leaf surface facing up or leaned at an angle against the pot wall. Never insert the leaves into the soil, otherwise the leaves will rot.

4. Depending on the variety, after about 2 to 4 weeks small buds will sprout from the base of the leaf. Once the small buds grow roots, or the leafless small buds grow leaves, the leaf cutting is considered successful.

5. Wait until the mother leaf is completely shriveled and its nutrients have all been absorbed by the new leaves, then it can be removed, and at this point the young plant can be replanted.

Grafting Propagation

1. Succulent grafting should be carried out during the growing season, and the most suitable season is the peak growing period in early summer. Choose a sunny day with high temperature and humidity for grafting; when the air is dry, it is best to operate in the early morning.

2. When selecting rootstock and scion, choose healthy, disease-free ones. Do not use parts that are too old and lignified, but ones that are too tender are also unsuitable.

3. The height of the rootstock graft point is determined by many factors. Varieties without chlorophyll should be grafted higher to ensure a sufficient supply of light and assimilates.

4. Grafting succulent plants of the cactus type is relatively simple; use a thinner blade to operate.

5. About 2 weeks of careful management is needed. After grafting, place it in a shady spot, away from direct sunlight, and do not let the graft point get wet before it has completely healed.

6. After it survives, side buds and side branches growing from the rootstock should be removed as early as possible so as not to affect the growth of the scion.

Cutting Propagation

1. Cutting propagation has the advantages of fast growth, early flowering, and maintaining the original varietal characteristics. Because succulents do not easily wither, cuttings root easily.

2. It is best to take cuttings when growth begins at the Spring Festival. Take material from healthy plants or parts, and disinfect them to prevent the cut from becoming infected.

3. Freshly collected cuttings should not be inserted immediately. Place them in a dry, ventilated, warm place with indirect scattered light so that the wound forms callus tissue and seals before inserting them into the medium.

4. The cutting medium should be a material with good aeration, water retention, and good drainage, such as perlite and vermiculite.

5. After cutting, pay attention to controlling the moisture of the medium, and water little or not at all.

Note: Some species in the subfamily Ruschioideae of the Aizoaceae family, the Haworthia genus of the Asphodelaceae family, and the Agave genus of the Asparagaceae family cannot be propagated by cuttings because their stems are fragile or absent.

Adventitious Bud Propagation

1. Plants in the Bryophyllum section of the Kalanchoe genus in the Crassulaceae family produce small adventitious buds on the leaf margins, which can take root and sprout when they fall onto the medium.

2. In spring, healthy leaves can be laid flat on a sand bed, pressed close to the sand, and kept out of direct sunlight.

3. About 1 week after placing them, small plantlets can grow out from the notches on the leaf margins. After rooting, the humidity of the medium can be increased to promote the growth of the young plants.

4. You can also detach the rooted small plantlets growing from the notches on the leaf margins from the mother leaf and place them on soil so that they become plants of their own.