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Propagating new succulent plants from leaves is something you can do to multiply the plants in your collection without spending any money in the process. You can also propagate new plants this way to give as presents to your friends who might enjoy a succulent too. Growing succulents from leaves is pretty simple once you know how, but how exactly is it done?
You can successfully grow new succulents from their leaves through what is called “leaf propagation.” Carefully remove the leaf from the plant and let it air dry for a period of time. Then you can choose either the soil surface method or the direct planting method.
With this in mind, I will cover in more detail what you need to do to start growing new succulents from just a leaf.
When Do You Propagate Succulents From Leaves?
Generally, the best time to propagate new succulents from leaves is during the plant’s growing season, which is in the spring and summer. They will root faster during this time because the conditions are ideal for new growth due to the humidity and heat that you find this time of year.
However, you can propagate from leaves during the winter too if you provide the conditions they need, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about what season it is when you decide to start the process.
What Supplies Do You Need to Start Propagating Your Succulent?
There really aren’t a lot of supplies you need to get started:
- You will, of course, need leaves from the succulents that you want to propagate.
- Tray, planter, or pot for propagating. I prefer to use a tray that holds about an inch of soil because doing it this way is very convenient for me (besides the fact that most of my other planters or pots are being used for other things).
- A good succulent soil potting mix. If you wish to make your own, we could assist with that in this article here where we dive into how to make your own succulent soil.
There are also many good-quality soil mixes that you can buy either at a garden center or online. One that I have used is called Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus soil. This mixture quickly drains and is very gritty, which I like! I couldn’t find it at any of my local garden centers, but found it on Amazon, here.
I have also used Miracle-Gro Succulent potting mix with good results. This potting mix is a little heavy, so I amended it with some perlite to improve its aeration and drainage. This mix can be found on Amazon. - Sprayer bottle/plant mister – You will need this to water (or mist) your leaves daily.
- Pots for the plants for when they are ready to be planted.
- Rooting Hormone. You will need some rooting hormone if you follow the alternate direct planting method, where you plant your leaves directly into the soil.
I use this rooting hormone powder from Amazon. A little goes a long way with this stuff. One jar lasts a long time!
How to Propagate Your Succulents From Leaves
Some succulents can easily be propagated from either their leaves or stem cuttings. Examples of these include Sedums and Echeverias, which can be propagated using this method.
However, there are succulents like Aeoniums that can only be started from cuttings. Additionally, some succulents have a preference for growing new starts from offshoots (which are also known as pups).
Considering this, it is important to know what type of plant you are working with.
We are focusing specifically on leaf propagation here, but we have separate articles on propagating from cuttings and propagating from offshoots if you are interested in learning more.
The Soil Surface Method for Propagating Succulents From a Leaf
- Choose a healthy succulent plant that you want to propagate.
- Carefully remove the leaf from the plant.
Be careful to get the whole leaf. You want the whole leaf to be intact, even to the point where it joins the plant. This end is needed for the new growth. Broken leaves will not propagate into new plants.
Even when done correctly, sometimes the leaf still doesn’t propagate, so I would recommend you start out with more than one leaf. If you start with more than one leaf and they all successfully propagate into new plants, then you will have extras to gladly give to a friend who probably doesn’t want them.
- Place the succulent leaf on the soil surface. Have a tray or pot of succulent potting mix prepared. Just place the leaf(s) on the soil surface so that the base of the leaf is touching the soil. This is where the roots will first start to grow.
I have actually placed the leaves in the other direction a few times and still had the plants successfully grow for me, so I believe I need to experiment a little more to see what works best for me, something I am looking forward to doing.
- Mist or water your succulent leaf when it’s dry.
Succulent plants are very touchy when they are watered too often, but when you are propagating their leaves, the leaves should be lightly watered (or misted) daily.
This won’t cause a problem with them as long as you lightly water them. In my experience, I find that if I mist them just enough to wet the soil surface, the soil will be dry the following day.
- Keep the succulent leaves you’re propagating in indirect light.
Keep your tray (or pot) of succulent leaves where they can get lots of bright but indirect sunlight. You can even use an LED plant light to give them the light they need.
Check out this full spectrum LED light from Amazon if you need to supplement light for your new plants. - Wait until roots and new succulents start to grow.
After about 2–3 weeks, you will notice roots starting to grow into the soil. This time can vary depending on the conditions and the type of plant.
After the roots become established, you will start to see new “baby” leaf growth at the base of the “old” leaf.
If the roots are exposed, you can lightly cover them up with more soil so they can absorb more water and to protect them from the sun. - Repot Your Newly Propagated Succulents
At this point, our newly propagated succulent will continue to grow. Don’t remove the old leaf away from the “baby” until it has shriveled up and detaches on its own. This old leaf provides the energy and support the new plant needs to help it get established.
Once your new plant has rooted and is growing well, you can repot it into a new pot.
Can I Plant Succulent Leaves Directly into Soil?
An alternate method of propagating new succulents from leaves is to plant the leaves directly into the soil, but how is this done?
You can grow new succulents from leaves by planting the leaves directly into the soil after you do the following: First, let the leaves dry for a few days, then dip them in rooting hormone, then slightly plant them at an angle into the soil. Finally, mist or lightly water them until they grow.
Of course, I simplified things a bit in the above statement. To explain things a little more, I wrote out the steps you need to follow to successfully grow a succulent using this direct planting method.
- Choose the plant you want to propagate and carefully remove the whole leaf from the stem.
- Let the leaf form a callous by letting it dry out for a few days.
- Prepare the pot with a good succulent soil mixture.
- Dip the leaf into rooting hormone
- Plant the leaf into the soil.
You do this by making a small indentation into the soil surface and gently planting the tip of your leaf into that hole. Be careful to not remove the rooting hormone as you plant it.
You want to plant the leaf at an angle in the soil and you don’t want to plant it deep. Only plant it so that just the tip of the leaf is in the soil. (Shallow is best)
- Keep the leaf in bright but indirect light.
- Lightly mist/water the leaf daily (as in the surface method above). You want to just spray enough water so that the soil dries out by the following day.
- Eventually, the roots will grow and the baby plant will start to bud from the base of the leaf. Don’t remove the “old” leaf since it’s a source of energy for the baby plant; it will dry up and fall off in time.
- Repot your new succulent once it’s been established, has roots, and is starting to grow.
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