The most beautiful succulent species boast juicy green leaves. These are not only a feast for the eyes, but are ideal for propagating cuttings. This green guide explains how to grow new succulents from leaves or shoots.
How to take cuttings from succulents?
To take succulent cuttings, cut off a he althy leaf or segment, allow the cuts to dry and place them on moistened potting soil. New plants will form in a partially shaded place and can be potted later.
The starting signal is given at the beginning of the growing season
Basically, propagating succulent plants from cuttings works at any time of the year. Experience shows that the best chances of success are in spring, when the plants enter the growth phase. For winter-flowering succulents, late summer is an ideal date for the procedure, when the summer dormancy is coming to an end.
Cutting and caring for cuttings – this is how you do it right
Select a he althy leaf or larger segment of the succulent. Using a disinfected, sharp cutting tool, such as a scalpel (€3.00 on Amazon) or a razor blade, cut off the cutting or cuttings. So that the sap flow does not affect the later rooting, allow the cuts to dry for some time. Proceed as follows:
- Leave leafy shoots (e.g. from the money tree) in the lower half
- Cut a thin strip of tissue from the edge of the leaf using a razor blade on leaf cuttings
- Fill pots or bowls with a mix of succulent soil and coconut fiber in a ratio of 2:1
- Moisten the potting soil with lime-free water
- Place shoots upright two thirds into the substrate
- Lay the leaves flat on the potting soil and press lightly
During rooting, please give succulent cuttings a partially shaded, warm window spot. Spray the substrate with soft water if it has dried. Over time, small plants sprout from leaf cuttings along the edges of the leaves. Once the new succulents have reached a size of at least 2 cm, they can be separated from the leaf cuttings and potted. Alternatively, the connection between leaf and offspring remains until the cutting has died.
Tip
Before you remove leaves from a succulent plant for propagation from cuttings, examine the plant for offshoots. Succulents are particularly busy forming daughter rosettes and other children. These are offshoots that thrive at the base and have all the attributes of their mother plant. Once they are at least a fifth the size of their mother plant, daughter plants can be separated, planted and immediately cared for like an adult succulent.
