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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow succulents from cuttings

Succulents are wonderfully simple to care for, plus they're easy to propagate. - by Lottie Dalziel
  • 05 Nov 2020
How to grow succulents from cuttings

Succulents add a pop of colour and dimension to any well-lit space. The best bit is once you have one succulent you can grow so many more from cuttings to create your own baby succulents.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow succulents from cuttings including how often to water, the right soil and how to grow succulents indoors.

planting succulents in tub
Getty

Here's how

Step 1) Carefully snap off a leaf from where it's attached to the main stem. The leaf should snap off cleanly and whole. Alternatively, you can cleanly snip a portion of the stem.

Step 2) Leave the cutting or leaf in a well-lit spot for 2-3 days until a callus forms over the end.

Step 3) Once formed you can place straight into soil (callus first) or lie flat on soil and watch it grow. This is often how succulent babies are formed when turbulent weather knocks off leaves new pups form from fallen leaves.

Step 4) Place the cutting or leaf in water root submerged in 1cm of water (an old jar or wine bottle is perfect), shielded from the weather but with a fresh airflow. If you are using leaves create a lattice with rubber bands to help them stand vertically.

Succulent propogation

Step 5

Step 5) Wait until roots and baby succulents start to form. The roots will look like tiny, pink strands.

Step 6) Once roots grow to 1-2cm remove from water and plant in a pot with drainage holes, filled with succulent potting mix. Water as required.

succulents
Getty

Where to plant succulents

Succulents enjoy full sun, they will thrive in pots, terrariums and in your garden but can also be planted indoors. Be sure to keep them on a sunny windowsill or well-lit room and check the plant label for ideal growing conditions.

In terms of a vessel, succulents will thrive in just about anything! Make sure the vessel has good drainage, enough room for roots to grow, and opt for a speciality potting mix, often sold as succulent and cacti mix. Don’t stop at pots check out this story on how to grow them in old frames, shells, bowls and other fun spots.

Cacti mix
$7.26

Osmocote 10L Professional Cacti And Succulents Potting Mix

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How often to water succulents

Most types of succulents require very little attention and thrive on neglect. If they're outside they won’t need any special care, rain water is enough to keep them happy. If you have them indoors water every 2-4 weeks.

If your succulent is starting to shrivel and the leaves start to puker (starting at the bottom of the plant) this is a sign of dehydration.

On the other hand, it can be difficult to determine when a plant gets too much water. An overwatered succulent will look “mushy” and the base of the plant will start to blacken.

Succulent garden
Getty

Troubleshooting

If you're noticing large gaps on the stem in between the leaves this means your succulent isn’t getting enough light. Move it to a sunnier position.

On the other hand, most succulents can handle direct sunlight but if they become discoloured and their leaves turn red or purple this generally means they've been exposed to too much sun and are sunburnt. Move your succulent to well-lit area that doesn’t have as much direct sun. Unfortunately there's no way to salvage these leaves so you’ll need to prune them off.

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Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel, is a 4AM riser and coffee-addict who loves reading up on the latest trends in sustainability or discovering ways to upcycle almost anything! You can find her by the beach, cooking up a storm or adding to her abundant (some would say out of control) plant collection.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

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The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

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3 ways to make a compost bin for your backyard

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Indoor plants: 10 of the best house plants

{headline}

{headline}

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How to keep kids busy in the garden

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5 edible Australian native plants you can grow at home

Graham visits Bob Cherry’s garden

Graham visits Bob Cherry’s garden

{headline}

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Why you should put coffee grounds on your plants

Why you should put coffee grounds on your plants

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What you should be planting in your garden in January

How to grow lavender

How to grow lavender

The latest landscaping trend to take over outdoor pavers

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How to grow plants in water in 5 easy steps

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Everything you need to know about growing cucumbers at home

8 brightly coloured house plants to spruce up your home

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