How to Propagate Succulents

What is propagating?

In simplest terms, propagating is the spreading around of something. In this case, its spreading around more succulents. Propagating plants is taking a part of the original plant and growing a new one from the piece that is cut off.

Why propagate?

If you have spent any amount of time here you know I enjoy saving money. By propagating plants, I get a new plant without spending any money! Propagating can be challenging at first, but rewarding once you know how to do it.

Also, since I have only a small space to garden in, propagating gives me a chance to enjoy plants, even if they are small. I actually have a bunch of small plants that were propagated, but they are all small enough to fit in one container, which fits perfectly in my balcony garden.

I also like the fact that I don’t feel like I’m wasting succulent leaves that fall off the original plant. If I find leaves on the ground in enough time, I just place them on top of some soil in an open space in a container and wait for new roots to grow. These are all great reasons to propagate succulents!

Best Succulents to Propagate

Some succulents are easier to propagate than others. Here are some of the easiest succulents to propagate.

Jelly beans – Jelly beans, or Sedum rubrotinctum are fun succulents to propogate. These look almost the same as Sedum morganianum, but they are slightly different colors. Just like burro’s tail, these succulents grow from leaves and cuttings.

Sempervivum – Hen and chicks are another popular and easy succulent to propagate. Sempervivum can survive in cold weather and make great plants in the ground and in containers.

String of pearls – A string of pearls plant looks like small balls, or “pearls” strung together. These can be cut to several inches for propagating.

Burro’s tail – Also called Sedum morganianum, Burro’s tail can be propagated from their leaves. They can also grow well from cuttings. I have some burros tail growing from cuttings and leaves. These succulents make great trailing plants on their own or in an arrangement.

Aloe vera – Aloe vera are easy to grow and propagate. They also have many health benefits.

Zebra Haworthia – Zebra haworthia look similar to aloe vera. They have zebra looking stripes on their stems.

Graptoveria – This dark colored succulent is another succulent that is simple to propagate. Grow graptoveria from seeds, cuttings, stems, or leaves. Start with one method and see which way to grow these succulents works best for you.

Want to learn about other succulents? Read about some popular varieties in Types of Succulent Plants.

How to Propagate Succulents

As mentioned above, there are several ways to propagate succulents. One way is to take off the top of a succulent with gardening scissors or pruning shears. Another way is to remove leaves.

Leaf Method

To propagate with leaves, gently pull and wiggle each leaf until they come right off. Put the leaves in a safe place where they can get indirect light for several days. The ends need to be dry so that they can take in water.

After the few days have past, place the leaf cuttings in soil suitable for succulents in bright, indirect light. Use a spray bottle or squirt bottle and check them for water every few days. Roots will slowly appear. This step may take weeks or months, so be patient!

Once you start seeing roots form, look for baby succulents to grow in place. When you see baby succulents growing from the leaf, place the new succulent in its own pot or with a few other babies. The leaf can be removed or you can wait for the leaf to shrivel and fall off on its own. Make sure to lightly water the plant in its new home!

Cutting Method

The cutting method requires removing the top of a succulent with gardening scissors or pruning shears. Let the cutting dry for a few days. Place the cutting in its own pot with succulent friendly soil, water it, and watch it grow!

Stem Method

Don’t throw away the stem! This too can grow into a new plant! Cut down the stem near the soil. Water it regularly. In time it will grow little baby succulents.

I have propagated some of my succulents successfully using all these methods. If you are just starting out, I highly propagating many leaves, stems, and cuttings since they all won’t last. Propagating succulents requires a lot of patience and trial and error, but it can be a very satisfying way to grow your own plants!

Do you know of other succulents that are easy to propagate or other methods to propagate? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Happy gardening!