Here are some simple tips on how to propagate succulents:
■ Most succulents propagate from stem cuttings or division which is fast and easy.
■ Some can be grown from leaf cuttings, which may allow larger numbers of new plants to be reproduced faster, from a smaller quantity of propagation material.
■ Some may be grown from offsets (small plantlets that form at the base of the parent plant – these can be removed and potted up to form new plants.
Seed is used to grow some cultivars that may be used as bedding plants, and needed in large numbers. A few (e.g. Portulaca) are commonly grown this way and treated as annual flowering plants.
Many new cultivars are developed by growing seedlings and selecting the best plants to develop as new cultivars.
These may then be grown by tissue culture to build up plant numbers quickly.
Leaf Cuttings
This is possibly the easiest way to propagate new succulents and gets great results from little effort.
■ Take a single stem mature plant and remove the brown bottom leaves.
■ Remove the leaves by pulling the leaves gently downwards use the leaves from the bottom row of the plant only. You can then replant the main plant and keep the leaves to propagate new plants from.
■ Allow the leaves to dry for a few days in an airy position.
■ Fill a tray with a mix suited to succulents (free draining is a must).
■ Plant the leaflets into the mix covering only the very bottom of the leaf – some people just lie the leaves on top of the propagating mix.
■ In a few weeks new plantlets will form at the base of each leaf and the old leaf will start to whither.
■ Pot the new plants on into small pots and let them grow until they are big enough to pot on or plant out into the garden.
If you would like to know more about Succulents, have a look at our ebook.
We also have a Cacti & Succulents course for those who are really passionate about this area.