Cactus & Succulent Propagation

Leaf Cuttings

• Taking a leaf cutting is an easy method of propagating cacti and succulents with leaves, such as jade, sedum, kalanchoe or snake plant. Cut a section of a young, healthy leaf, using a clean razor blade. Dip the cut edge of the leaf in rooting hormone, then set the leaf aside for about a week until the cut end forms a callus. Once a callus develops, plant the leaf in a gritty potting medium such as a commercial potting soil for cacti and succulents, pumice or coarse sand. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil slightly moist until the leaf takes root.

Stem Cuttings

• Cactus and succulents with long stems such as cholla, euphorbia, kalanchoe, ice plant or Christmas cactus are often propagated by taking stem cuttings, which is similar to planting leaf cuttings. Cut a 4- to 6-inch length of stem from a healthy plant. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone, then set the cutting aside in a dry spot for one to two weeks, or until the cut end forms a callous. Plant the callused end in a pot filled with sand, pumice, or a commercial potting soil for cacti and succulents. Place the pot in indirect light. Water sparingly, keeping the soil barely moist.

Offsets, Plantlets and Bulbils

• Many cactus and succulents, including agave and aloe, develop small offsets, or pups, at the base of the plant or the edge of the leaves. Propagating these plants is as simple as pulling the pup from the parent plant, since the pup has already developed roots. Plant the pup in a container filled with sand, pumice, or a commercial potting soil for cacti and succulents, then water sparingly. Wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands from prickly types of cactus.

Seed

• While most cacti and succulents can be propagated by seeds, panting seeds is the slowest and most challenging propagating method. Plant cacti or succulent seeds on top of a gritty potting mixture such as pumice, sand or a commercial mixture for cacti and succulents. Cover the seeds lightly with soil, then water sparingly. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag, then put the pot in indirect, bright light. Remove the plastic when the seeds germinate.

Tips

• A thin layer of fine gravel or coarse sand spread over the top of the potting mixture helps to keep newly rooted cacti or succulents dry. A well-drained potting medium is critical since cacti and succulents rot fast in soggy soil. Always use a pot with a drainage hole and never let the pot stand in water. Allowing leaf cuttings and stem cuttings to develop a callus is also critical, since the open cut may develop fungal rot if the cut isn't allowed to dry. Don't worry if the leaf or stem begins to shrivel while you wait for a callus to develop.