Succulent Dry Propagation Guide
I have received a ton of questions about succulent dry propagation! I recently did an experiment with it to see what all the craze was about. So far I have been extremely impressed and needed to share the results ASAP with you!! Why should you be excited about dry propagation?
Well, I will tell you.
Dry propagation helps prevent mealy bugs from eating your precious succulents, removes the possibility of root rot when developing, and grows the babies super quickly.
Don’t believe me?? Try it yourself and be sure to send me a photo of your progress by emailing angelsgroveco@gmail.com or tag @angelsgroveco on instagram!
Steps of Succulent Dry Propagation
- Water the succulent you want to propagate from.
- Wait 3 days- this makes your parent plant nutritious and juicy for the potential babies.
- Gently remove a full fresh leaf from your recently watered succulent.
- Find a dish, cup, or egg carton to put the leaves in. I have found that the leaves standing up with the wiggled off end (where the plant will grow from) pointed up, works best. Don’t ask me why, but the ones laying down are doing nothing where the ones standing up are growing non-stop. I feel like it doesn’t matter, this is just what I have observed.
Literally, leave your leaves alone. Become really patient. Maybe find new hobbies while you wait a couple weeks or make a succulent centerpiece.- Check on leaves once a week. I like to keep an eye out for roots burning, which will be shriveled and darker than the healthy roots that are usually hot pink or white. If you see this, the sun might be too intense so try moving to more indirect light or under a grow light. I also look for dried leaves. The mother leaf starts to shrivel when the plant begins to grow. Once it is completely dry, it is time to plant it!
- Gently remove mother leaf without removing the roots or leaves (if it looks like it is going to rip these off, leave the leaf on for longer).
- Pot up some cactus soil, sprinkle the top with cinnamon which in an anti-fungal (optional), and plant your new tiny succulent roots down in the soil.
- Place near good light source.
- Water 3 days later. Don’t water after you pull off the leaf. (I mean, you probably can but the succulent could rot and it will be perfectly happy without it).
You might have to water once a week if indoors and more often if the weather is hot outdoors. They have water stored up in their leaves but are still tiny and will need it to keep growing!
I have loved succulent dry propagation so far. I have noticed fast results and nice healthy roots. It has also been fun watching what happens under the soil!
Other notes from my personal garden:
Everyone’s garden is different and to me, there is no right way. For me though, I use T5 and T8 grow lights that are on from 6 am to 10 pm. My succulents are indoors during the winter, because of Colorado, and outdoors for about the month of July, because CO has tiny summers. I water once a week in the summer and every 2 weeks in the winter. However, I don’t propagate outdoors as I find my controlled environment more effective. I propagate throughout the whole year and haven’t noticed a huge difference as most of my succulents are under grow lights throughout the year.
I hope this has helped! If you have any questions or suggestions for another post, comment below!!
I love succulents! This is great information. Thank you!
Hi! I tried dry propagation and finally i’m getting some results! But, I noticed that some of the leaves only have babies while some others only have roots. Is that normal? Will the ones with the babies start to grow roots later aswell as the one with roots will grow babies in a second moment? Thank you!
Yes! That is completely normal. Every leaf kind of does its thing differently. I would leave them until the leaf completely dries up and assess from there. The ones that only grow roots don’t seem to grow rosettes but I have seen those that are only a rosette grow roots. However, some push roots out first so just wait until the mother leaf is gone!
Thank you so much. I am new at enjoying succulents. I tried the soil and the water propagation BUT this air method is the BEST. I did exactly what you suggested- using an egg carton. In 5 Days I have roots!!! This is by far the easiest way to propagate in my opinion. I live in eastern Pa. so some succulents do fine outside and others do best on my screened in porch. Hopefully I’ll have some photos to share soon.
I have some succulant seeds how should I pkant these?
Than Kim s
Kay
I have never planted succulent seeds. I know there are usually instructions included where you bought it. Otherwise, give it a youtube google, I think they are similar starting to cactus seeds.
I’m so interested in this method! Question tho, once in the egg cartons, do u ever spritz with water? And if yes, how often?
Since it is dry propagation I don’t! Not until the parent leaf dries up!
I have seen some gardeners say to plant the leaves when the roots appear and some say lay them on top of soil and the roots will find its way into the soil. What do you do?
I do both haha. Most of the time though I wait for them to grow roots.
2 Questions. Where do you get your variety of succulents?What kind of soil do you use? My succulents dont seem to do well in potting soil.
Use succulent soil! Succulents need fast draining soil. We have a succulent care post you should check out. Potting soil will rot your plants. I have bought them from multiple places but I went to Florida to a succulent wholesale nursery once and they have tons of varieties.
Thank you so much for your post, I had seen a ton of pins on propagation but no one ever explained what to do once the new florete and root start coming, and u did, I have a few tiny new ones (mother leaf still att ached) and now I know what to do, thanks a bunch
I purchased so cutting without the roots. Can I apply the dry technique to these succulents. I’m new to this process and needs some help. I’ve been growing tillandsias for over a year. However, these are different. This newbie need some professional help
Usually with cuttings I place in a pot of soil and lightly water until I know there are roots. You don’t want to pull out the plant as it could rip off the roots but just a light tug to see if there is resistance. The dry method might work but isn’t usually needed for cuttings.
You’ve encouraged me to try the dry method. I also was wondering about your grow lights. Is there a segment you have on basics on succulents and grow lights? I have only an east window where I get like two hours of morning light and that’s it. Bought two light panels enough for two long lights each and about 42” each at a garage sale for $2! They have 4100K but was thinking 5 or 6000K would be better. What do you think? Lighting is getting better for being winter still in California but come next winter, I want to be prepared! Any insight on dry propagation or suggestions on lighting would be helpful, thanks!
I do have an article on grow lights. I also have a video that you might find helpful. Here is the link to the article:https://angelsgrove.com/grow-light-talk/ and here is the link to the video https://youtu.be/RPMEC3yxbTw
I don’t understand all the info on numbers for grow lights, so I don’t know how to specifically answer your above question. But grow lights are awesome and make succulents soo pretty! They are kind of spendy though so $2 is a steal!
Thanks for the idea. I am going to try the new vertical method on Monday. I have plenty egg boxes available.
When you place the leaves in the egg carton, do you place it in the sunlight or just bright indirect sunlight?
bright indirect light. I have mine under grow lights though, just far away to prevent them from getting burnt.
Hi Jess,
I’d like to share some photos of my succulents with you and ask your opinion. How can I send you the pics? Please advise.
Thank you.
Baudy
Email! angelsgroveco@gmail.com
Just to clarify: once they have sprouted roots and/or babies do you let them continue to do their thing upright and dry in the egg crate until the mother leaf dries up? Or once the sprout out significant roots/babies do you place them on/in soil and until the mother leaf dries up? I have several that have done WONDERFULLY with this method…lots of roots and several babies. I’m just not sure if I should just let them keep doing their thing or if I should transfer them to soil.
Loving this method!! Thanks so much!!
Does it matter which egg carton you use? Most of the ones I see at the store are foam.
Your information has been so helpful! I have some succulent leaves shipping from fairy blooms to propagate. I live in northern Utah. Should I use the other technique because of the dry climate or will they do fine?
I’m new to succulents but have been on a killing streak. Now that I’m getting the hang of it I’m propagating. Qn: Are we able to use the stem we take leaves off of? Will this sprout up new growth?
When you plant them, do you put the entire baby rosette and roots down in the soil or just the roots leaving the baby rosette on the top? Also how far down in the soil do you plant them? Just far enough to cover the roots or if you plant roots and rosettes just enough to cover it all or further down?
Hi Jess! May I ask if I could plant succulents in a normal healthy soil? like manures.