Most Common Succulent Propagation Mistakes
I absolutely love propagation and consider myself a semi-pro at succulent propagation. Now, that doesn’t mean I have 100% success rate or don’t kill them by accident every now and then. Succulent propagation mistakes do occur. Here are a couple of mistakes I have made that maybe you have made too, AND how to not do those mistakes.
Succulent Propagation Mistake #1-Defining Success
This is probably the least tangible fix, but you need to realize that you will not have a 100% success rate. Every leaf is going to perform differently. Some might grow only roots, others might grow one perfect succulent baby, and then some might be overachievers and grow 8 babies. There is nothing you can do to change whether they will actually grow a baby or multiple babies.
Another thing to keep in mind is the type of succulent. Some succulents are really hard to propagate. Echeveria lola’s, for example, are almost impossible to propagate and/or take a really long time. However, I have great luck with Echeveria perle von nurnbergs! So try a different succulent or apply these tips to the succulent you are trying to propagate.
Succulent Propagation Mistake #2-Overwatering
If you are finding your succulent leaves to be squishy or turning yellow while laying in a bed of dirt, you probably overwatered or didn’t wait long enough before watering. Make sure you are waiting until roots start to form before watering.
Try using my absolute favorite gardening syringe to make sure you control the water amount.
Succulent Propagation Mistake #3-Wrong amount of light
Lighting is probably the biggest succulent propagation mistake that I see most people struggle with. This section is 2-fold, I see either too bright of light or not enough light. Succulent roots will burn. So, if you start you leaves in a bright-light location, they might be alright but if you see your roots getting thin and turning dark red (not pink) then the roots might be burning. Pink roots are very common for succulents, but dark red isn’t. You want to protect the new roots as best as possible until they are long enough to be buried in the dirt and protected from the light. So until your succulent roots into the soil, I would keep them in moderate light.
NOW, you have your succulent rooted and it is growing. Most people don’t change the amount of light their succulent gets so the new rosette starts etiolating(stretching). This stretching might make it look like it is growing fast, but in reality, your succulent isn’t growing properly. Healthy succulents grow out, not up, opposite of people 🙂 . If you notice your succulent not growing in a bundle close to the leaf, then it most likely needs more light.
This grow light is the best I have found and I am in love with it. Grow lights are perfect for growing succulents because they are a bright light but they don’t burn the succulents unless put extremely close (within 6 inches)
Succulent Propagation Mistake #4-Choosing the parent leaf
It is absolutely necessary for you to water your succulent for propagation a few days before removing the leaf. This is important because whatever is in the leaf when you pull it off the plant, is what the baby succulent growing from the leaf will be using. So it is important to make sure every leaf is filled full of water and nutrients.
You can propagate from small leaves, however, it might take longer and the succulent it grows will be much smaller than one from a bigger leaf because it isn’t going to have as many nutrients for the baby succulent to use.
I hope these tips help you make the best propagation station you can! If you are implementing these techniques and are still struggling, please feel free to reach out to us! I always reply within a couple of days and love getting asked questions. I want your garden to be successful. You can email us at angelsgroveco@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram!
Tips on common propagation mistakes were really helpful for me. I love plants but each they die due either extreme exposure to sunlight or over watering.
Thank you Jess
Hello! I am just at the beginning of my succulent propagation journey and am trying to work out lighting. I live in Wyoming so all my plants are indoors. I eventually intend to sell my plants and want to develop a system that works with most succulents. Using the light you recommended, how long do you have your plants under lights? 8 hours per day? 4 hours? Continually?
Thanks for any information!!
I have my lights on from 8 am until 9 pm usually
so you don’t mist the succulents while waiting on roots to form?
No I don’t personally. The theory is that the leaf has enough water for it to completely make its own baby. And unless there are roots there, the succulent won’t take up water unless the cut spot hasn’t calloused. But if you add water to it before it callouses, it will rot. I hope that makes sense. So I only add water once roots have formed because it prevents rot mainly. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I recently ( more like 2 months ago ) propagated and two had babies with roots but the the other ones only rooted its bren a few weeks there are still no new pups growing
This was great thank you! I’ve always enjoyed gardening but this is the first time I’ve tried succulents. We are full time RVers so I brought plants with us to get my fix. Unfortunately, we’ve been in AZ and no matter what I did, the heat wiped them out so trying my hand with these. Due to space, I can’t really use a grow light, so can you elaborate more on the ideal lighting conditions?
I just started with succulent & and I follow all your tips ! I’m very graceful to you. There are doing so well. But I mist them 3 times in the week ‘ coz I leve in Lagos and it’s terrible hot and dry. Should I stop misting them. Thank you so very much ! I really enjoyed your topics & really appreciated them.
I live near Chicago. In winter, I propagate succulents in the Styrofoam trays restaurants give you for leftovers. I use a mixture of broken seashells and succulent potting mix. Jade plants are the easiest to start with. After I had a lot of success with them, I tried other kinds of succulents.
I have developed this interest recently with succulent and would like to know more about propagation.
I’ ve 10 green thumbs but when it come to propogating succulent leaves, I’ m a dude!. During 1st attempts leaves became limp & wilted in a day or 2 before hardening on the end. 1st used failing leaves then sacrificed great thriving plants. Every batch we as the same, but what didn’ t turn to mush I still gave it a try. Cheated & bought rosettes on leaves. Took perfect care & planted. Now I ‘ ve perfect type soil firm encapsulated leaf ends of many types. Out of 60 leaves I’ ve maybe 4 growing leaves, no rosettes or roots. Found out hard way not to mist. My soil now looks a shy & hard so I believe no humidity & lack of water is affecting me. Iliterally chase the sun around my house. At night I place trays eheer I know morning rays will hit, then I’ ve a couple of hours where no sun direct sun hits windows but as soon as it does I begin placing trays in sun. There was a time I placed under grow light overnight with other succulents & a thin heat pad( good amount of hollow please cell tray in beteeen) as well. NOTHING IS WORKING! Days ago I read someone kept a damp paper towel under rocks, placed leaves on rocks & wrapped plastic wrap over type giving me idea of needing humidity of Winter heat’ s use. Watcha ya think? Trying too hard? Now that it’ s warming up into 70s, I’ ve began removing leaves, misting soil with pumice, tossel, replace leaves( which side up?) & cover w/ wrap. Today I. removed leaves spritzed soil AND HEATED IN MICROWAVE!!!! DESPERATION! Replaced leaves then placed outside in dappled sun because no full sun…I’ ve new leaves coming
What do you reccomend for a new start? Thanks for info posted! DH Mom of twins & tons 106 hills of red potatoes hills !!
Please tell me what I have and whats the best way to take care of it. And to keep a puppy out of it. Thankyou.
Please tell me what I have and whats the best way to take care of it. And to keep a puppy out of it. Thankyou.
I live in BaytownTx i