How to Propagate Succulents: The Easy Method to Grow New Succulents From Plant Clippings

Succulents are currently an "it" plant. Look around and you will see them everywhere: homes, offices, yards, wedding bouquets, art, and more. Although succulents are trendy, they are very affordable. As house plants, succulents are very easy to take care of. If you think succulents make a great conversation piece, you will be happy to know that succulents are also extremely easy to propagate or reproduce from plant clippings.

In this tutorial, I will show you how to propagate new plants from an existing succulent plant.

Step 1: Gather Succulent Propagation and Care Materials

There are only a few things you will need to propagate your succulent:

1. Healthy, Existing Succulent Plant- you will grow your next succulent from the trimmings of an existing succulent. It is best of this succulent is one that is healthy. I usually choose plants that are overgrown or growing out of their container.
   
2. Empty Container- it is best to have to place your propagule into a new container. For this tutorial, I had an empty decorative pot available. However, I frequently use empty glass jars (pasta sauce jars are great for this!).
   
3. Potting Soil- You will need some potting soil to place your new plant in. This is a personal choice. I used Miracle Gro Nature's Care Organic Potting Mix with Water Conserve purely because it was what was available. However, it has worked well for me.
4. Sharp Scissors- A sharp pair of scissors will be important to trim your succulent. It is important that the scissors are sharp because it will help you make a clean cut.

Most of these items are readily available in your house. They are also available on Amazon, grocery stores, and home improvement stores.

Step 2: Examine the Succulent Plant You Will Propagate

It is important to choose a plant you feel comfortable propagating. The plant in the above photo was getting a little too large for its container, and it was becoming less aesthetically pleasing. I decided it was the plant I was going to propagate.

Step 3: Prepare Your Pot or Container

You will want to have your pot or container ready to go to transplant your succulent propagule or trimming. Drop soil into your pot. As your trimming will have a long stem, you will want to fill your pot up very close to the top. You will want to leave a small space to put the stem of your plant in.

Step 4: Trim Your Succulent

Take your scissors and trim your succulent. You will want half an inch to two inches of empty stem to transplant. You can remove leaves to create this space. Choose the spot you will trim off. Take your scissors and make a careful but sharp cut through the stem of the plant.

Step 5: Wait 1-2 Days for Your Succulent Trimming to Callous

When you initially cut your succulent trimming, there will be an open, moist entry at the trim site. This area needs to "callous" before the trimming is placed in the dirt. This protects the plant from root rot. Sit your trimming in a safe dry place (even on top of dry soil (just not in it) for 1-2 days to allow it to callous.

Step 6: Place Your Succulent Trimming in The New Pot and Soil

Once your plant has calloused at the trim site, place the stem of your succulent in a small amount of soil and gently cover it. Wait a week to water the plant. The new plant should start rooting at week two.

Step 7: Enjoy Watching Your Succulents Grow

Give your sun enough light and check that they receiving enough water and draining water properly. While your succulents are growing, water them about once a week. Cover the leaves well and make sure water drains.

It's exciting to plant something and watch it grow into a beautiful new plant. These plants make great gifts if your home or other space starts to become too crowded.

Sometimes it's not so bad to succ.