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Succulents have taken the gardening world by storm, and it’s easy to see why! They’re incredibly diverse, relatively easy to maintain, and can bring a touch of nature to even the smallest apartment. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the captivating world of succulents and teach you how to propagate these charming plants from leaves.
Understanding Succulent Propagation
Propagation is the process of growing new plants from the parts of existing plants. With succulents, this process is surprisingly easy, and a single leaf can give birth to a new succulent over time!
What You’ll Need
To get started, you’ll need a succulent leaf (or several, if you’d like), a tray or pot, succulent or cactus mix, and patience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Succulents from Leaves
- Leaf Selection: Choose a healthy, mature succulent leaf. The leaf should be full and firm, not shriveled or discoloured.
- Leaf Removal: Gently twist the leaf off the plant. Make sure you get the entire leaf, right down to the base.
- Drying: Before planting, the leaf needs to form a ‘callus’ over the cut area. This helps prevent rotting. Allow the leaf to dry out for a few days until the end looks scabbed over.
- Planting: Place the dried leaf on top of a pot filled with succulent or cactus mix. The cut end of the leaf should not touch the soil.
- Wait for Roots: In a few weeks, tiny roots will start to appear. At this point, you can start lightly watering the soil whenever it completely dries out.
- New Growth: Eventually, a new miniature succulent will begin to form at the base of the leaf. Once it’s big enough, you can carefully remove it and plant it in its own pot.
Tips for Succulent Success
- Place your propagating succulents in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Too much sun can cause the leaves to dry out and shrivel.
- Don’t overwater. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. Overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill succulents.
- Be patient. Propagating succulents takes time, but it’s worth the wait!
Growing succulents from leaves is a delightful project that can be done by gardeners of all experience levels. It’s a simple, enjoyable process that rewards you with beautiful plants. So why not give it a try?