Propagating Succulents from Leaves

Select your succulent. It should be healthy and actively growing.

Gently twist off a healthy, mature leaf, making sure it detaches cleanly from the stem at the joint and does not tear.

Lay your leaf or leaves on a dry paper towel in a bright area that’s out of direct sun.

Prepare your soil: Mix 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part coarse sand or fine chicken grit or turface (soil conditioner) in a bucket or bowl. Do not use playground sand or beach sand.

Fill a clean pot with your prepared soil and water thoroughly. Let drain completely.

Lay your callused leaves on the surface of the soil. You can put several in a pot.

Place in a bright area out of direct sun.

Let the soil dry out a bit before spritzing the soil again. Spritz soil lightly whenever it is completely dry.

In a few weeks you should see tiny roots and leaves forming on the cut end of the leaf.

The roots should begin to grow into the soil – if they don’t, you can push a small amount of soil over them.

As roots grow you can increase the amount of sunlight they get.

As the new baby plant grows, the leaf will shrivel and wither off. At this point you can gently lift the cuttings and plant in their own pots. You can also begin to use a suitable fertilizer.