You Can Totally Propagate Succulents in the Winter—Just Follow These 5 Tips
Houseplants are kind of like potato chips—you can’t have just one! One of the great things about certain types of plants is that, after the initial investment, you can use your plant to propagate « babies » that will grow into full-sized plants over time. Not only is this process really fun to watch, but it will also increase your plant population at little to no cost to you.
Propagating succulents is not difficult at all. These five great tips will have you well on your way to growing many new starter plants from the ones you already own.
Take a Leaf or Stem Cutting from Your Plant
There are two different types of cuttings that can be propagated to grow new plants: stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. To take a stem cutting, use a pair of sterilized scissors to cut off a piece of your succulent just above a leaf on the stem. For a leaf cutting, gently take hold of the leaf you’d like to use. Espoma recommends choosing a larger, mature leaf that looks healthy and has no blemishes. Wiggle it back and forth until it breaks off from the stem. Make sure the leaf breaks cleanly all the way down to the stem, without leaving any pieces behind. For successful propagation, the new « baby plant » needs a fully intact leaf.
Dip the Cut End into Rooting Hormone (Optional)
If you’d like your cutting to root more quickly, dip the end in rooting hormone. Succulents typically root quite easily on their own, so this step is optional but can speed up the process.
Allow Callus to Form
Before planting the cutting in soil or perlite, it’s important to give the cutting time to form a callus. Birds & Blooms explains that this prevents the leaf or stem cutting from rotting. Simply lay the leaf or stem cuttings in a bowl or on the windowsill to dry. The end should form a callus within a few days.
Plant After Roots Start Growing
Once the calloused end starts to grow baby roots (or even tiny leaves), it’s time to plant them in soil. At this point, you can place them into individual pots or group them together until they grow larger. Gently press the roots into soil or a specialized succulent potting medium to avoid breaking off the delicate roots.
Care for Your New Plants
Once your newly rooted cuttings are planted, follow basic care instructions for succulents. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and fertilize sparingly. To avoid overwatering, you can use a spray bottle to gently mist your plants. A light feeding of fertilizer in the spring or summer is sufficient to last the succulent for the entire year.
