Succulents are not only easy to care for, they are also easy to propagate. We show how you can successfully propagate various succulents.
Succulents are the ideal plants if you want to keep the maintenance effort low and still beautify your house and garden. The water-storing plants withstand long periods of drought and make very few demands on their environment. For succulent lovers, propagation at home is a good way to save on buying a new plant and still not have to do without the exciting plants. We present all the options for propagating succulents for you.
Propagating succulents by offshoots
Many types of succulents form small daughter plants on the ground, which mature into complete plants. These are incorrectly referred to as offshoots, but the correct botanical name is "Kindel". In order to let these little plants thrive independently of their mother plant, they can be cut off cleanly at the base with a sterile knife and repotted. The Kindel do not necessarily need their own roots when cutting them off, as they can quickly grow them again.
This method works particularly well with Agave, Supervivum and Echeveria.
Propagating succulents by cuttings
A proven method (not only for succulents) is propagation by cuttings. In the case of succulents, whole leaves are usually removed for this purpose, but they are not put in the ground, but only laid on. Before planting, make a light cut at the edge of the leaf, where new plants can develop over time. It is best to let the interface dry for a few days before contact with the soil. If the cuttings form independent roots, they can be repotted. Always make sure that the substrate always remains moist, otherwise root formation will be more difficult.
Expert tip: Propagation by cuttings is particularly worthwhile for genera and species of the succulent plants (Crassulaceae). Examples are Crassula (Thickleaf), Echeveria andPachyphytum.
Propagating succulents by division
With individual succulent genera such as the sedum (Sedum), a direct division of a whole plant is possible to produce two plants. Make a cut in the middle of the plant and plant one part with the roots in a new pot.
This is a useful method for sedum (sedum) and sansevieria (scurf hemp).
Propagating succulents by seed
Another very promising method for propagating succulents is growing them yourself using seeds. As equipment you need seed trays, special cactus and succulent soil, a little quartz sand and of course the seeds. The new plants thrive best if you offer them the right substrate right from the start. Ideally, the soil should have good drainage, as succulents are very sensitive to waterlogging. In addition, succulents prefer a soil with a stable structure and an adapted nutrient supply. Therefore, when propagating succulents, you should use special cactus and succulent soil, such as Floragard cactus soil.
Proceed as follows when sowing:
- Fill the seed trays loosely with the cactus and succulent soil.
- Distribute the seeds on the substrate and press them down lightly.
- Wet the substrate with the seeds liberally, but still carefully. Under no circumstances should water stand in the potty for a long period of time.
- Gently spread some quartz sand over the seeds.
After a few days, the first seedlings will appear, which you can repot when they are big enough.
Tip: The sowing method works especially well with Astrophytum (e.g. Astrophytum ornatum), Mammilaria and Rhipsalis as well as the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae).
Even if succulents are rather undemanding plants, they are happy about a few care measures. In our article we have put together the best tips and tricks for succulent care.
Many thanks to Floragard for the support!