Propagating succulents is really easy! We wanted a way of propagating them ourselves in order to cut down on the cost.
Propagating succulents is our latest project. The drought in California is continuing. It doesn’t seem to be another drought year as much as it is just the new normal. So, we are replacing some of the plants in the garden that require a lot of water. We are using succulents as ground cover in several areas. They are not only drought tolerant but can also help as a fire break. But we wanted a way of propagating them in order to cut down on the cost. Fortunately, it was really easy.
The easiest way to create more plants is to remove the little plants that start growing beside the larger ones, and replant them somewhere else. Make sure to include the roots that are growing from the small plant.
Another method is to remove a leaf from a succulent and use that to start a new plant. Remove the leaf by moving it back and forth until it releases from the plant. Include as much of the leaf as possible, even removing a little of the stem of the larger plant if necessary. Use a potting soil made for cactus and succulents that drains quickly. Spread it in a shallow pot. The cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone at this point if you want to use one. Then set the leaf on top of the succulent soil to dry out for three days. After that, water it once a week.
Roots will grow on the cut end of the leaf. Then a little plant will grow. Once it is established, the little plant can be transplanted to the garden.
We ordered a collection of small succulents that came in a variety of colors, so we were able to color coordinate the garden.
We planted the blue toned succulents with blue and purple toned plants.
The rust colored succulents were planted with the orange and rust plants.
Propagating the succulents turned out to be an easy and low cost way to convert the garden to a more drought tolerant landscape.
Photos by Tony Fitzgerald Photography