• Belgian Nursery
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• Cacti & Succulents, Houseplant, Plant

Tips for Propagating Cacti & Succulents

When to take Cuttings from Cacti/Succulents

• Cacti or Succulent is too tall, too leggy, or has become top-heavy.
• Always use a sharp, clean knife, or pruners.
• Cut will bleed white sap which contains latex; wear protection and exercise caution when handling cuttings.
• Cut will scab over, and future branches or “arms” can eventually appear at the site.

Tip for Trailing Succulents (Burro’s Tail, String of Beads, etc.)

• Ensure plant is very very DRY before cutting!
• Extreme dryness will help decrease risk of leaf droppage.

Propagating Cacti

• Lay cuttings on layers of newspaper; place in warm location with indirect light.
• Cuttings will form hard callus after 8-12 weeks, depending on season.
• Fill pot with Cactus soil (has added sand for drainage).
• Place the cutting callus-side down in Cactus soil – beware of spines! Use barbeque tongs to handle cuttings.
• The size of your cutting will determine how deeply they should be planted: Small cuttings can be placed 1-2” below soil level; larger cuttings may require 6” or more for a stable placement.
• Pack down soil around cutting to keep it upright and secure -use the tongs with one hand to hold cutting, and use the back of a tablespoon with the other hand to pack down soil.
• Water well after planting and for the next 12-24 weeks; let soil dry slightly between waterings until cutting starts to root out.
• Once cutting is rooted, allow pot to dry out very well just like a regular Cactus.

Propagating Succulents: From Cuttings

• Follow same steps as Propagating Cacti but in quicker succession.
• Succulents callus typically appears in less than 4 weeks.
• Cuttings should take root within 8-12 weeks from planting.

Propagating Succulents: From Leaves

• Most varieties of Echeveria and other Succulents can be propagated by their foliage.
• Gently remove a healthy leaf by twisting it until it pops from the main stem.
• Place leaves on newspaper in warm, dry area with indirect sunlight.
• Allow to dry until callus forms at base (typically 2-7 days).
• Once callus forms, fill small pot with Cactus soil and place leaf callus-side down (about two-thirds of leaf should be above the soil).
• Pack soil around leaf to secure; keep pot in indirect light.
• Water thoroughly and regularly, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Once root system has established, move pot back into direct sunlight and allow soil to dry very well between waterings.

Propagating Cactus: From Offshoots or “Pups”

• Haworthia, Aloe, Agave, and other Succulents grow side shoots or “pups” to propagate.
• When pups are large enough and/or started to grow its own roots, carefully cut it away from the mother plant with a sharp and sterile knife. Some pups can be removed by twisting away from the mother plant.
• Pup can be planted right after removal; place in small pot filled with Cactus soil, packing soil lightly around pup’s base to secure.
• Place pot in indirect light; water thoroughly and regularly, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Once root system has established, move pot back into direct sunlight and allow soil to dry very well between waterings.

Helpful Tips when Propagating

• Even if you do everything right the cutting still may not callous or root out.
• This may not work and that’s okay.