February 23, 2023
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.
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