Using leaf cuttings is an easy way to propagate succulents. If you need a large number of plants, this method is ideal, but if you want large plants quickly, stem cuttings are better providing you have the necessary mother plant material.

SUITABLE PLANTS:

Kalanchoe, echeveria, Christmas cactus, graptopetalum, sedum, and crassula. Aeoniums aren’t suitable.

HOW TO DO PROPAGATE SUCCULENTS:

  • Select mature healthy leaves and pull them off the plant with a downward tug. Leaves that are broken off too far away from the stem won’t grow roots. You need an entire undamaged leaf.
an easy way to propagate succulents 1

1.

  • Lay leaves out on a sheet of newspaper in a cool dry place so the ends can form calluses; they may even begin to put out roots (1), or develop baby plants at this stage.
  • Fill a pot or flat tray with drainage holes with potting soil mix and a generous quantity of coarse river or silica sand.
  • Lay the leaves on the surface of the soil; there’s no need to bury the cut ends (2) and place the tray where it will receive light, but not full sun.

RELATED TO “HOW TO PROPAGATE SUCCULENTS”: Potting up succulents

an easy way to propagate succulents 2

2.

  • Simply mist the surface when the soil dries out; there are enough reserves of water in the leaf to keep the plant alive. If you’re in a very hot area, you may need to do this more often.
  • Fine roots will appear followed by rosettes of leaves (3). At this stage you may need to mound up a little potting mix around the base of the plantlet.
an easy way to propagate succulents 3

3.

  • Once a baby plant appears, start feeding with Seagro, or similar liquid fertiliser, and Kelpak.
  • When the mother leaf shrivels and turns brown, pot up into small containers (4).
an easy way to propagate succulents 4

4.

  • Pot into large individual containers once they are well-established (5)

READ MORE: 7 Succulents anyone can grow

an easy way to propagate succulents 5

5.

More information on how to propagate succulents and succulent gardening.