Low-growing succulents like Echeveria are relatively quick to multiply using two easy to learn techniques. Stem cuttings from plants that have grown too leggy and stretched out or leaf cuttings will reliably develop into new plantlets as quickly as a few weeks. Neither method requires specialized equipment or previous experience to be successful. Because Echeveria only needs water sparingly and thrives with lower humidity levels, all cuttings can be started and grown on indoors with no need for a heated greenhouse, grow lights, or a tropical humidity tent.
Methods To Propagate Echeveria
Stem cuttings and leaf cuttings produce clones of the mother plant and are vastly more reliable for home gardeners than growing from collected seeds. Most Echeveria are hybrid cultivars that only produce sterile seeds or seeds with poor genetic coding that will not develop into desirable plants. Seeds sold by reputable seed companies may be more reliable and better for seed sowing, although they can be very difficult to start without specific and sometimes difficult stratification or scarification of the seeds.
Best Rooting Media To Propagate Echeveria
Chunkier and longer stem cuttings are great potted up in 100% perlite or a mix of perlite and sharp sand to root in. There will be plenty of air circulation to encourage good root formation while the perlite can retain moisture well without keeping the cutting overly wet. Cuttings that are kept too wet are much more likely to fail and often fall prey to fungal damping off or root rot diseases. Leaf cuttings are much smaller and more delicate, requiring a different potting medium. Finely shredded coconut coir or a fine seed starting mix is great and easily found in most garden centers.
Steps To Propagate Echeveria
Step 1 - Take either a top growth cutting or a leaf cutting from the parent plant. Cut a stem that is at least 2-3 inches long and has a group of leaves at the top. Remove the bottom leaves to reveal the stem end.
Step 2 - leaf cuttings are simply a leaf segment gently pulled off the stem. Make sure that the leaf is completely intact including the end.
Step 3 - Allow both types of cuttings to dry out for a few days so that the cut end scabs over. Place the cutting in a spot away from direct sunlight and warm.
Step 4 - Stem cuttings can be potted up in a plastic pot with excellent drainage in the perlite or perlite/sand blend. Make sure to gently press the stem in the potting mix to anchor it until the roots begin. Leave just a small part of the stem and the top leaves exposed above the soil.
Step 5 - Leaf cuttings can just be laid on top of a pot or saucer filled with seed starting mix.
Step 6 -Water both types of cuttings only by misting every couple of days until roots (or a small group of leaves) begin to form.
Caring For Echeveria Cuttings
Check on your cuttings daily and mist them with distilled water when they are dry. Propagation is the only time that Echeveria should be watered on a regular basis. Place your cuttings in a warm location with medium or filtered light levels.
Transplanting Echeveria Cuttings
Stem cuttings are ready to be planted into individual pots with regular succulent potting mix when they are not easily pulled from their pots. Gently clean off most of the cutting medium and replant in a pot that is no larger than 1 or 2 inches larger than the rootball. Water your new plant by being careful to avoid water pooling between the leaves.
Leaf cuttings will start to grow a miniature plant at the stem end of the leaf, while the leaf-cutting itself begins to shrivel and brown. When the plantlet is easy to handle pot up in a pot that is no larger than the root ball. Place the new plant so that all of the top growth is just at or slightly above the soil level. Water well and gradually move your new plant to a location with bright indirect light.
Sources:
“Succulents: How to Care For and Propagate.” Somervell County Master Gardeners. www.txmg.org
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Author Robbin Small - Published 12-27-2024 |