Propagating Succulents

Propagating succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

How to propagate succulents from cuttings and leaves.

If you’re anything like me, you probably love to have succulents in the house. I try to keep them in bright windows that get plenty of light, but sometimes they can still get leggy. This happens when a plant isn’t getting enough light and it starts to stretch out causing the stem to grow long and the leaves to become widely spaced. 

Notice the long stem and widely space leaves.

Notice the long stem and widely space leaves.

If you have a plant that is starting to become leggy like this one, have no fear!  This is the perfect time to propagate!

 

Gorgeous Succulent Plant: Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

Although this plant still looks gorgeous from the top, the lower leaves will begin to wither and fall off and soon we’ll be left with a rosette high above the soil on a long bare stem.  So before the leaves start to die, let’s pull them off and propagate them to make more plants.  Succulent propagation is easy, fun, and free!

Removing succulent leaves: Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

We’ll start by removing the lower leaves first. Be really careful when you remove the leaves from the stem.  I hold the leaf firmly and wiggle it from side to side until I feel a little snap.  You want to be sure you get the entire leaf.  If you rip the leaf, leaving the base still attached to the stem, it will not be able to grow roots or a new plant.

Succulent Leaves: Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

This is what the leaves will look like if they are properly pulled from the stem remaining fully intact.

 

After you have successfully removed the lower leaves you will be left with a small rosette on a long bare stem.  I like to call the next step decapitation propagation. Not sure if that’s the technical term, but it rhymes and we’re going to cut its head off so…

Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

I use a pair of craft scissors, but a sharp knife would work great as well.

 

Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

We now have a bunch of leaves, a stump and a cute little plant with a short stem.

Succulent and Leaves: Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

Now we wait. Before we can place our leaves on soil to begin growing new plants we must let the ends dry out and callous over.  This step is vital! If you don’t let the ends dry out and place them directly on soil they will absorb too much moisture and they will rot and die.  In addition to letting the leaves callous over, we must also let the end of the stem on the rosette dry out as well.  This could take anywhere from a few days to a week or so. 

Once you feel like the ends are dry enough, you can place them on top of some well-draining cactus or succulent soil. (Some people dip the ends in a rooting hormone, but I’ve never tried this and have had great success without it.) I’ve had the best results when keeping my leaves indoors in a window with lots of indirect sunlight.

After a few weeks you will see little pink roots sprouting from the ends of the leaves and then teeny tiny baby plants will begin to grow. I water the leaves very rarely until I start to see roots or babies appearing.  

At this point I will give the roots or baby plants a good soak about once a week or whenever I notice the soil is totally dry.  Just like with a fully developed succulent, too much water is not good. If you want to be certain not to over water, I recommend spraying the ends of your leaves with a spray bottle once a day instead of completely soaking the soil. 

Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.
Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. How to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.
Propagating Succulents: Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

I let my baby plants grow in rows like this until I start to notice the “mother leaf” starting to wither.  At that point I will carefully remove the leaf in the same fashion I removed it from the original stem, and then place the baby plant in its own pot. This can be tricky as you don’t want to accidentally remove the roots with the leaf, so you may want to play it safe and let the leaf fall off on its own.

Keep in mind, not every leaf will grow a new plant.  I’ve found that some leaves just wither away, some will take root while never growing a new plant, and some might even grow a plant, but never root. Although there will typically be a small amount of losses, most leaves will grow roots followed by a new plant.  The three leaves below were all started on the same day and all three had different outcomes.

how-to-propagate-succulents-from-leaves-and-cuttings-needlesandleaves_net.jpg
Baby Succulents: Propagating Succulent via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

I ran out of individual little pots with this batch so I just removed the leaves as they withered and left the plants to grow together like a little succulent forest.

Okay, back to that stump. Don’t worry no part of this plant is going to go to waste!

Succulent Stem: Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

Simply put this pot aside and eventually it will begin to sprout new plants from each place we removed a leaf!

Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

Now back to our original plant, the reason we did all this!  Once the stem has dried out and calloused over, simply place your plant back in a pot with well-draining cactus or succulent soil and it will grow roots again and continue to flourish! Isn’t succulent propagation amazing?

 

Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.
Propagating Succulents via Needles + Leaves. Learn how to propagate succulents from leaves and cuttings.

All of my information comes from personal experience.  I’m sure all succulents propagate differently and plants in different climates and environments require different care. This is what has worked for me and I hope it works for you! Please let me know if you have any questions.  You can find me on Instagram under @tawwni or @needlesandleaves or leave a comment below!


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Comments (1431)

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I am so thankful for this informative article. I bought my succulent a few days ago,accidentally it's leaves broke out and tears rolling in my eyes .Fortunately I read this article, thankyou so much ,brought my smile back

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Thank you for this very detailed instructions on how to propagate succulents. I will surely try this!

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Thank you so much for your information i tried to do this and i went straight to soil and they just shriveled up like raisins lol but i am definitely going to try this today at oce ~!!!!!!! Is there any way you can let me know if using miracle grow for my plants i have succulents and other regular leafs!

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Very informative. One of the best articles I’ve read in a while.
Thanks!

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Great, detailed explanation. I found it really useful. Thanks a lot!!

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It was wonderful article, for me it is so going to help me with my Gardening.
Visit my blogs on Hydrangea tree - https://hydrangeatreecare.com/

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Hi there, thank you for the very informative website with great photos.
Question: Once you place your leaves on the soil and wait for the roots to appear, do you spray them with water at all? I understand that it may take a while for the roots to appear, so I don't want to kill the leaves by not watering or over-watering them.
Also, when you place the leaves on the soil, do the ends touch the soil at all?
Thanks

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I have been letting the leaves i have accidentally broken off many times in the past few months, to no avail.
I have tried leaving them in the window for weeks, nothing.
So, then i tried just laying them on top of cacti soil, like an other recommended.
Nothing, so then i misted them..NOTHING.
I have another batch in the window on a paper towel. I'm going to keep trying as i don't want the leaves i break off to go to waste.

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hi thank you for making me feel possibly i can do this. i am trying to do something positive during lockdown, to help me cope. i have just been told i have to stay in till august and have already been home since march.if i fail i won't feel bad. i will get something from you and try again. stay safe best wishes katherine

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Jen i have a plant that has sprouted a large stem with other leaves and a flower on it. What do i do. The plant is beautiful and I've noticed more growing and coming out

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This is by far the most helpful article about propagation that I've read! Thank you!

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Hi, Approximately how long did the whole process take from rooting to getting a succulent that’s about an inch or little larger? I’m thinking about doing wedding favors and have a yard of large succulents to take leaves from to start. Thanks!

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This was the easiest and clearest explanation I’ve ever read about propagation! Thank you so much for writing this!

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Thank you for the steps and explanation of propagating succulents you have my my life so much easier now. I have been reading hundreds of pins and yours is the best. Thank you thank you thank you.

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Just wanted to say I followed your instructions last year and it worked perfectly! My old leggy plant rerooted and is happy as can be, the old stump has a few new rosettes coming out of it, and about half of the leaves are now healthy, established new plants! Like you said, half of the leaves didn’t work out — mostly they sprouted roots but never new plants. Now I’m using your process again on another succulent. :)

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Thank you so much. I'm new in succelents and I really love to know the process of this propagation and you helped me a lot! I realised that I did something wrong with my old leaves. Thank youuu ❤️

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My leaf grows a new baby succulent and roots but when the original leaf withers away the new succulent dies also. Please help

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Qué bonito artículo :)
Thanks for taking the time to teach others what you know :)

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Oh thank you so much! I have always wondered what to do with these leggy succulents and I never bothered to investigate before now. I am starting to love my house plants now that I live in a condo, and not a house with a yard.

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And what do you do with those that grow only those thin roots but no baby plant? My leaves only have the thin roots :( Shall I plant it..? Or will it grow something later? Thanks!

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And what do you do with those that grow only those thin roots but no baby plant? My leaves only have the thin roots :( Shall I plant it..? Or will it grow something later? Thanks!

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Hi, my succulent sedum firestorm list all its leaves but the very top 3, with a very long bare stem. Is it a young succulent. If I cut the stem, will the leaves still grow where they once were even if the plant is young? Or does it have to be old

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loved the article, question, I was given a lifesaver cactus it bloomed on bloom and it started dying on me, getting a white film on it I started taking the good pieces and replanting them still no blooms, but it is dying off slowly like its getting too much water, which is not??

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Take a q-tip with some rubbing alcohol and wipe away the white stuff. It should get rid of your problem.

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Thank you for your info and the time it took you to put it together. It’s EXACTLY what I was looking for. Dale

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Thank you for this valuable information, I have this plant and just didn’t know how to propagate, I will try your instruments and see how well it works for me.

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After decapitation, stump of my succulent is roting from top. What should I do to save it. Please help

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Great information for successful plantings. Thank you very much

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Hi, thanks for helping us plant killers! Question: where can I let the fallen leaves dry out? Do they need to be under the sun? In the house? I don't have direct light in my apartment, therefore my succulents do better outside. Thanks for the advice!

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This is one of the best articles that I have read on succulent propagation broken down into easy steps. Would you say there is a ‘propogation season? I just read another article on line saying spring is the prime time.
Thank you!

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I like the way you showed this. I have never tried it. I actually just take the leaf off and put halfway in soil. It always grows. I have them outside in pots and sometimes they fall off on their own into the ground soil and start growing.

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I have read this excellent description on making more succulents. I did read something a while ago and did not let the leaves dry. I will try again as I love these plants.

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Oh my gosh! I just received 3 little succulent leaves is a little pot for my birthday and I didn't really know what to do with them until I read this article. I'm really looking forward to grow my very own succulent! I love this blog!

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I have been propagating my succulents for a few years now, but I learned some new stuff from your article! One question... sometimes after I plant the leaves the new plants are only miniature.... like the leaves are so small and they never grow to the original size, but the new plant grows tall. Has this ever happened to you?

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Hi there! Thank you for this article, it's very clear and through, especially for someone who hasn't ever grown anything. I am drawn to succulents but have yet to try. We live in Colorado. Each if our windows has a shade covering (awening) so very little sunlight. We have 7 children that we home educate. I want plants but I need them to be not needy. Given the info I've shared do you think succulates would survive here? Dry air, super shady. Thank you!

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Your direction on propagation is awesome. Thank you!

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Thank you for the wonderful information, I will certainly try this way out, now I know what I was doing wrong. An eye opener indeed.

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Great info!!!
A little stumped 🤔 You said to leave the "stump" in the pot (continue to water or no?
Then the stem (is that the part with the cute little flowerette on top?) is supposed to be set aside like the leaves? And the stub too, cuz you said once it has calloused over to place it back in a pot...

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Excellent Description! I work for a succulent grower, and with only very minor variations (and infrequent outliers) virtually all succulents are propagated the same way, although some succulents prefer one method over another. Never heard the term "decapitation propagation" but I like it and will pass it on :)

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Thank you so much!

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Wow... That was lovely piece of information and written so well... For anyone to understand... Thanks... I am trying to propogate my succulents too. Have placed the leaves on cocopeat... Just waiting...

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I tried a few different kinds and they ALL worked! All I needed was patience :) now to find some good succulent soil and some cute pots!

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Are succulents in door or out door plants, I know you can put in both places but I’m thinking of the frost outside in winter.

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After I removed the leaves and placed them flat.to dry out they all just started to wither and haven't seemed to dry out and it's been six days. Any tips on why that happened. I placed on cardboard and in a sunny spot.

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I totally agree with your info !!
I became hooked on succulents 25 years ago. I adore them & they produce bubs so easily. I now have 100’s planting up on a massive cactii hillside. Always something in flower. People stop to admire from roadside.
Losing my Hubby meant I needed a purpose I live on 10 acres & my ‘babies’ gave me a purpose!!!!

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This was all so helpful, thank you! I've been looking for easy instructions for a while now but i've been a little confused and hesitant until I found your article! Can't wait to start!

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Did learn a thing or two ! Thank you
I will keep your address .
I have liked the plants since my mom grew them one summer . In a strawberry pot ( I think )

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Thank you so much for the time and care you put into this article. I have a succulent that was a birthday gift last year. I since had to transfer it to a larger pot, but now it’s outgrowing that pot. I noticed that it is throwing off little pink roots. When I transfer it to a bigger pot should I cover the new roots with soil?
I like how you showed what to do with propagating the leaves. I am going to try that. I love my little plant. I hope I can grow more. Again, thank you for all the info you shared.

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Thank you so much for this guide :D I found it very helpfull! Now I can begin growing little succulent babies on my own <3

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Great article. You made me see how fun and positive succulent propogation can be. Didn't realise you could save every bit of the plant too.

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I have a rubber plant 12 inch stemmed 6 leaves on the top.
How do l propagate this plant
Thank you, Sandy

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