Propagate Succulents from Leaves in Water Or Soil – Methods Tested!
Last Updated on July 6, 2023
If you have ever wanted to start your own succulent collection propagation is a great way to do it! You can easily propagate succulents from leaves, and I’m going to show you how. I’ve tested two methods for propagating succulents from leaves, in water and in soil, and I’ll share my results with you.
To propagate succulents from leaves, you will need:
-A sharp knife or scissors
-A clean container for water or soil
-Succulent leaves
First, gently remove a leaf from the stem of the plant being careful not to damage the plant. If the leaf feels loose it will come off easily, if not use a sharp knife or scissors.
Second, place the removed leaf in either water or soil depending on which method you want to test. Make sure that the container is clean so that there is no chance of introducing any bacteria or fungi that could harm your plants.
WATER propagation works FASTER than SOIL propagation for SUCCULENTS (an EXPERIMENT!)
Are you looking for an easy way to propagate succulents from leaves? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll be discussing two methods of propagating succulents from leaves – in water and in soil – and testing which one is more successful.
Topropagate succulents from leaves in water, simply take a leafy cutting from your plant and place it in a cup or jar of water. Make sure that the stem of the cutting is submerged and that there are no air bubbles trapped underneath the leaf. Place the container in a bright spot out of direct sunlight and wait for roots to develop.
This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
To propagate succulents from leaves in soil, start by taking a leafy cutting from your plant as before. Then, using a sharp knife, make a small incision at the base of the leaf where it meets the stem.
Next, insert the cut end of the leaf into some moistened potting mix or cactus soil. Once again, make sure that there are no air bubbles around the leaf Cutting and press it gently into place. Water well and then place the pot in a bright spot out of direct sunlight until new growth appears.
So which method is more successful? Well, that depends on your particular plant species. Some plants will root readily in water while others prefer to be planted directly into soil.
It’s really up to you to experiment and see what works best for your plants!
Propagate Succulents in Water Or Soil
If you’ve ever looked at a succulent and thought, “I could grow that,” then propagation is for you. Propagating succulents is easy, whether you do it in water or soil. With just a little effort, you can have more succulents to enjoy indoors or out.
To propagate in water, start by taking a cutting from your mother plant. Make sure the cutting has at least one leaf (preferably two), and that the stem is about an inch long. If your cutting doesn’t have any leaves, don’t despair—it will eventually grow them once it’s rooted.
Next, fill a glass or jar with fresh water and place the cutting inside. Put the glass in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight, and wait for roots to form. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the type of succulent you’re propagating.
Once roots are visible, transfer the cutting to potting soil.
To propagate in soil, start by taking acutting from your mother plant—again, making sure it has at least one leaf (preferably two) and that the stem is about an inch long. Fill a small pot with well-draining cactus or succulent mix , and plant the cutting about an inch deep .
Water lightly and put the pot in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight . In time , new growth will appearand your succulent will be well on its way to becoming its own independent plant .
Propagate Succulent Leaves in Soil
Succulent leaves are a great way to add color and texture to your garden. They can be propagated in soil with just a few simple steps.
First, you’ll need to choose a healthy leaf from your plant.
Cut the leaf off at the base, being sure to include a bit of stem.
Next, prepare your potting mix by adding some sand or grit for drainage. Moisten the mix slightly and then insert the stem of the leaf into it, pressing down gently so that it is fully submerged.
Now all you have to do is wait! Keep an eye on your succulent leaf and make sure that the soil stays moist (but not wet). In time, you should see new roots begin to form and eventually a new plant will emerge.
Once it does, you can carefully transplant it into its own pot and enjoy!
How to Propagate Succulent Leaves in Water
Succulents are one of the easiest plants to propagate. They can be propagated from stem or leaf cuttings, and in some cases, by division. One of the quickest and most successful methods for propagating succulents is by using leaves.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to propagate succulent leaves in water:
1. Start with a healthy mother plant and choose a plump, non-flowering leaf. Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut the leaf close to the stem at an angle.
2. Place the cutting in a cup of water and make sure that the end that was attached to the stem is submerged. Change out the water every few days to prevent it from getting stagnant.
3. Within a week or two, you should see tiny roots growing from the base of the leaf cutting.
At this point, you can either pot up your new plant in soil or continue growing it in water indefinitely.
4. Once your plant has established itself, give it plenty of bright light and well-draining soil (cactus mix works well).
Succulent Water Propagation Timeline
If you’re like me, you love succulents. They are beautiful, low-maintenance plants that add a touch of green to any space. And if you’re really like me, you can’t help but propagate them every chance you get!
Water propagation is one of the easiest and quickest ways to propagate succulents. It’s also one of the most popular methods because it doesn’t require any special tools or materials – just a container, some water, and your chosen plant(s).
Here’s a step-by-step guide to water propagating succulents:
1. Choose your plant(s). Any type of succulent can be propagated in water, but some varieties root more easily than others. Some of my personal favorites include echeveria, sedum, sempervivum, and crassula.
2. Cut off a piece of the plant that includes at least one leaf or rosette. The cut should be clean and made with sharp scissors or a knife; jagged edges will make it more difficult for the plant to take root.
3. Allow the cuttings to callous over for a few days before placing them in water.
This gives the plants time to form a protective layer over their exposed wounds which helps prevent rot later on.
4. Fill a container with fresh water and place the cutting/s inside. Make sure that only the bottom portion of the cutting is submerged; leaves that are underwater will quickly rot and fall off (trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way!).
How to Propagate Succulents Fast
Propagating succulents is a great way to create new plants from existing ones, and it’s relatively easy to do. The best time to propagate succulents is in the spring or summer when they are actively growing. Here are some tips on how to propagate succulents fast:
1. Choose healthy, non-flowering stems for propagation. Cut the stem at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node (where leaves attach to the stem).
2. Allow the cuttings to callus over for a few days before potting them up in well-draining soil mix.
You can hasten callusing by applying a rooting hormone powder to the cuts.
3. Water your cuttings sparingly, just enough to keep the soil moist but not wet. Put them in a bright spot out of direct sunlight until they start producing new growth, then gradually acclimate them to full sun exposure.
Credit: getbusygardening.com
What’S the Best Way to Propagate Succulent Leaves?
If you have a succulent that you would like to propagate, the best way to do so is by taking a leaf cutting. This method is relatively simple and does not require any special equipment. All you need is a sharp knife or pair of scissors and a pot with well-draining soil.
To take a leaf cutting, first, choose a healthy leaf from your plant that is not too floppy or too thick. Using a sharp knife or pair of scissors, cut the leaf off at the base, as close to the stem as possible. Once your cutting is ready, it’s time to prepare your potting mix.
For succulents, it’s important to use a potting mix that has good drainage. You can either make your own mix using ingredients like perlite and sand OR purchase a commercial cactus/succulent potting mix from your local garden center. If you opt to make your own mix, be sure to sterilize your tools and containers beforehand by boiling them for at least 10 minutes.
Once you have your potting mix ready, fill up your container(s) nearly to the top and then make small indentations in the soil with your finger or a pencil. These indents will help guide where you place each leaf cutting so they’re not sitting on top of each other. Next, insert the base of each leaf cutting into its own little hole in the soil mixture until it’s about halfway buried.
Be sure not NOT cover up the entire Leaf Cutting – leave some of the leaves exposed so they can continue photosynthesizing!
Water your newly potted plants lightly (being careful not to overwater them) and then place them in an area with bright indirect light – too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves.
Can You Propagate Succulents by Putting Them in Water?
Yes, succulents can be propagated by putting them in water. This is a process called hydroponics and it is often used to grow plants without soil. The roots of the plant will take up nutrients from the water and the plant will grow.
This method can be used to propagate many different types of plants, not just succulents.
Can You Propagate Succulents from Leaves?
Yes, you can propagate succulents from leaves! This is a great way to propagate lots of plants at once, or to grow new plants from leaves that have fallen off your existing succulents. To do this, simply snip a healthy leaf off of your plant and allow it to callous over for a few days.
Once the end of the leaf is dry and hard, stick it into some well-draining soil. Water lightly and keep the soil moist but not soggy until new roots and shoots begin to grow. At this point, you can decrease watering and treat your new plant as you would any other succulent!
What is the best watering schedule for propagating succulents from leaves in water or soil?
When propagating succulents from leaves, it is essential to establish an appropriate watering schedule. Whether you choose water or soil, the key lies in not watering succulents frequently. Over-watering can lead to rot and damage the delicate leaves. Instead, let the leaves dry before watering again to ensure successful propagation.
Is Soil Or Water Propagation Faster?
One of the most common questions we get asked here at The Sill is whether soil or water propagation is faster. And while there is no one definitive answer to this question, we can offer some general guidance based on our experience.
In general, water propagation is going to be the faster method for starting new plants from cuttings.
This is because roots will typically develop more quickly in water than they will in soil. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all plants are well-suited for water propagation – so you’ll need to do your research ahead of time to make sure your chosen plant species can be propagated successfully in water.
Once your cutting has taken root and established itself in water, you’ll then need to transition it into soil.
At this point, the rate of growth between water- and soil-propagated plants will even out, and both types of plants should grow at a similar pace.
Soil propagation does have a few advantages over water propagation, though it generally takes longer for roots to form when starting in soil. One big advantage of propagating in soil is that you won’t have to worry about transplant shock when moving your newly rooted cutting into its final home – since it will already be acclimated to growing in potting mix.
Additionally, some people find it easier to care for their propagations when they’re started in pots or trays filled with potting mix, as opposed to jars or glasses filled with water.
At the end of the day, there isn’t necessarily a “right” way to propagate your plants – it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what works best for you and your space. So if you’re trying to decide whether soil or water propagation is right for you, we say go ahead and experiment with both methods until you find the one that works best for you!
Conclusion
If you have a succulent that you absolutely adore and want to share with friends or propagate for yourself, then you’re in luck. Succulents can be easily propagated from leaves, and there are a few different methods you can use to do so. The best method will depend on the type of succulent you have, as well as your personal preferences.
One method is to simply place the leaf in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight, and wait for new growth to appear. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Another option is to place the leaf in water, again in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Change the water every few days to prevent it from getting stagnant. Once new growth appears, you can either transplant the leaf into soil or keep it in water indefinitely.
Finally, some people like to place their leaves on top of moistened paper towels or coffee filters until new growth appears. Again, this can take several weeks but is worth it for healthy new plants!