Succulents such as Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Crassula and Aeonium can be grown from a single leaf or a small stem cutting. It costs almost nothing, and it is fun to watch a tiny rosette appear.
Leaf propagation step by step
- Twist off a healthy leaf. Wiggle it gently so the whole leaf comes off with a clean break. A torn leaf will not root.
- Let it callus. Leave the leaf in a dry, bright spot for 2 to 3 days until the cut end seals.
- Place it on soil. Lay the leaf on well-draining cactus mix. Do not bury it.
- Give light, not sun. Bright indirect light is best. Direct sun can cook the tiny new plant.
- Mist lightly. Mist the soil every few days once roots appear, never soak it.
How long does it take?
Pink roots usually show in 2 to 4 weeks, and a baby rosette follows. The mother leaf shrivels away as the new plant grows. Do not remove it until it is fully dry.
Stem cuttings for Aeonium and Crassula
Cut a stem with a few leaves, let the cut end dry for 2 to 3 days, then plant it in dry cactus mix. Water after a week.
Common mistakes
- Watering too early, which causes rot
- Burying the leaf
- Keeping it in full midday sun
Explore our Echeveria collection and Crassula collection.