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Not only are succulents extremely easy to care for, they are just as easy to propagate. We have summarized how this works best for you in this guide!
propagate succulents
Succulents are water-storing plants that make few demands on their environment. Propagating these plants is as easy as caring for them is. A wide variety of methods are available for this, such as propagation by kindling or leaf cuttings.
equipment
Propagation works best when the right accessories are used. In the first place, the appropriate plays here substrate an important role, because the succulents should preferably be placed in cactus or succulent soil. However, special growing soil is always recommended for the cultivation, as this is significantly poorer in nutrients. Alternatively, you can also use a mix of succulent soil and coconut fibers. In addition to the substrate, a seed tray or small pots and a sharp cutting tool are also required.
leaf cuttings
The easiest way to propagate succulents is with leaf cuttings. Individual leaves are removed from the mother plant and planted separately. With a bit of luck, the leaf will root along the wound and form a new young plant there. The best time for this type of propagation is early spring, so that the summer vegetation phase can be used for growth. Among other things, the following specimens can be propagated well by leaf cuttings:
- Money Tree (Crassula ovata)
- Agave (Agave)
- Lucky Feather (Zamioculcas)
- Crassula (Crassula)
- Flaming Katie (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
tip: Whether a plant can be propagated with leaf cuttings can usually be found in the care instructions!
manual
Although succulents can be grown relatively easily from leaf cuttings, there are a few things to consider with this method. So that the propagation is as promising as possible, it is best to proceed as follows:
1. Preparation
In the first step, the "new home" for the leaf cuttings is prepared. For this purpose, the growing bowl or a small pot is filled with substrate and then moistened. Soft water is best used for this, but regular tap water can also be used.
2. Choose a leaf cutting and cut it off
In principle, all leaves are suitable for propagation by means of leaf cuttings. However, you should not select and separate the leaves according to your mood. It is better to remove the leaves from certain places depending on the plant species. For rosettes, for example, it is advisable to leave the top of the stem untouched and separate the leaves from the lower part. As the plants grow in width, the leaves should be cut off from the outer edge.
- Cut off leaves where they connect to the stem
- preferably with a sterile, sharp knife
- then cut off thin strips at the edge of the sheet
- this exposes the sap-rich tissue
3. Use cuttings and care
After the leaf cuttings have been obtained, they can move to the prepared planters. However, the cuttings are not used, but simply placed on the ground and lightly pressed. So that the cuttings also grow eagerly, they should be placed in a partially shaded, warm window seat. The care of the leaf cuttings is then as follows:
- when substrate dries, spray with water
- preferably with room-warm water
- prick out when rooted plants are about 2-3 cm tall
- cut off the leaf cuttings
- put in small pots with succulent soil
child
Propagation by Kindel is particularly suitable for unbranched succulents, as they like to form side shoots. Because a Kindel is basically nothing more than a "miniature variant" of the mother plant. They originate at the base of the plants and are usually relatively easy to separate. What is practical about this variant is that it does not matter whether the runner already has its own roots when planted. Because unrooted offshoots form roots relatively quickly. Among other things, the following succulents can be easily propagated in this way:
- Aloe (aloe vera)
- Haworthia (Haworthia)
- Gasteria (Gasteria)
manual
If you want to propagate succulents with offshoots, you have to expect a little more work. A little more time should also be allowed for, since the side rungs must first dry before they are inserted. However, what speaks in favor of this variant is the fact that with a child you get a new plant directly.
1. Select and cut kindel
The best way to grow succulents from Kindel is to have a certain size and shape. Ideally, the side shoot is about 10 to 15 centimeters long and has already clearly taken on the shape of the mother plant. You should also always choose a spur that has at least two leaves. Once you have selected the right offshoot, remove it as follows:
- Cut off offshoots or separate with your fingers
- right where the bud joins the stem
- Remove lower leaves, lower 5-10 cm should be free
- Do not remove leaves that are higher up
- Buds can be preserved
tip: To separate the offspring, it is usually helpful to pot the mother plant briefly. Because most of the children arise below the earth on the plant. Use the opportunity to repot the mother plant.
2. Drying
Unlike propagation by leaf cuttings, the side shoots should not be planted directly. It is better to let them rest for a few days so that the cut surfaces can dry. For this purpose, they are placed in an airy, shady place for one to three days. If the leaves shrink significantly during this time, they should be planted earlier. Otherwise it can happen that they die and have to be disposed of.
3. Insert foothills
After the offshoots have dried sufficiently, you can use them later. You can also use special potting soil for these young plants, which stimulates the roots to grow. When choosing the container, make sure that it is not too big. The following instructions have proven useful for inserting the offshoots:
- Fill the container with potting soil
- moisten the substrate
- Insert side shoots up to the lowest leaves
- Leaves should not touch the ground
- then moisten well
tip: If the scion does not stay upright, it can be tied to a short stick.
aloe vera
4. Care
The offshoot is best placed in a warm, airy spot with indirect sunlight. A place in direct sunlight is not recommended, as the water supply of the young plants is not yet fully developed. In order for the seedling to grow and thrive properly, you should of course also take care of it accordingly:
- keep soil moist
- moisten about every 2-3 days
- preferably with a spray bottle
- after about a week fertilize and water like the mother plant
notice: The young plants thrive best at a temperature of around 20 °C.