How Long Does It Take to Propagate Succulents?
In general, succulents can be propagated in a number of different ways. Some succulent species can be propagated by leaf cuttings; others by stem cuttings, seeds (read all about it here) and offsets or offshoots. In this post, we talk about how long does it take to propagate succulents by leaf cuttings, which is the most common method of propagation among succulent growers.
There are currently thousands of species under the succulent umbrella, and each species grow at a rate that differs from the rest. In the same way, different succulent species have different propagation rates be it through leaves, stems, seeds or offsets and offshoots. Technically, however, succulents grow slower compared to other common houseplants.
Contents
- 1 How long do succulents take to grow?
- 2 What affects a succulent’s propagation rate?
- 3 How long does it take to propagate succulents through leaves?
- 4 How long does it take to propagate succulents in water?
- 5 How long does it take to grow succulents from seeds?
- 6 How do you propagate succulents fast?
- 7 How long can succulent cuttings survive?
How long do succulents take to grow?
- Leaf propagation: In general, it takes about 2 weeks to grow roots by leaf propagation. In about 8 weeks, new leaves will be formed and can be transplanted to a small pot if desired.
- Stem propagation: It generally takes about 4 weeks for roots to form, sometimes longer.
- Propagation through offsets: It generally takes about 4-10 weeks for the roots to grow once the pups have calloused over.
- Seed propagation: Seed propagation takes the longest time – succulent seeds take between 3 weeks to a year just to germinate. Thereafter, it takes a very long time before the seedling becomes a full-sized adult.
What affects a succulent’s propagation rate?
Besides the natural growth rate of each succulent species, the presence of sunlight, water, soil, and season, also play a significant role in the propagation rate of the succulent.
The dormancy period of the succulents in question is a huge factor as well – you will not see much growth in winter-dormant succulents if you propagate them during winter. Therefore, it is important to first learn whether the succulent you want to propagate is winter or summer dormant. It is good to know, however, that you can have success propagating succulents regardless of the season.
Below is a list of winter dormant and summer dormant succulents:
Summer Grower/Winter Dormant Succulents
| Adenia | Adenium | Agave | Alluadia | Aloinopsis |
| Brachystelma | Ceropegia | Cissus | Cyphotstemma | Didieria |
| Dorstenia | Echeveria | Euphorbia | Fockea | Huernia |
| Ibervillea | Ipomoea | Jatropha | Lithops | Monadenium |
| Operculicarya | Pachypodium | Pedilanthus | Plumeria | Pseudolithos |
| Pterodiscus | Raphionacme | Sempervivum | Sinningia | Stapelianthus |
| Synadenium | Titanopsis | Trichocaulon | Trichodiadema | Xerosicyos |
Winter Grower/Summer Dormant Succulents
| Adromischus | Aeonium | Aloe | Anacampseros | Astroloba |
| Avonia | Bowiea | Bulbine | Ceraria | Conophytum |
| Cotyledon | Crassula | Dioscorea | Dudleya | Fouqueria |
| Gasteria | Gibbaeum | Graptopetalum | Graptoveria | Haemanthus |
| Haworthia | Kalanchoe | Neohenricia | Othonna | Pachycormus |
| Pachyphytum | Pachyveria | Pelargonium | Peperomia | Portulacaria |
| Sansevieria | Sarcocaulon | Sedeveria | Sedum | Senecio |
| Stomatium | Sulcorebutia rauschii | Talinum | Tylecodon |
How long does it take to propagate succulents through leaves?
Below are some examples of leaf propagation succulents at different stages of life.
1. Pachyphytum Compactum ‘Little Jewel’
Pachyphytum compactum is a short-stemmed, tightly branched, succulent with a closely set rosette near the crown. This succulent tends to grow both in height and in width, giving origin to a rounded shrub. Leaves are distinctively patterned with lots of nice colors (especially when stressed by cold or drought).
Stems: Compact, rarely above 10-12 cm (or longer if pendent especially in cultivation)
Rosettes: Of 20-60 very close leaves set at right angles to the stem 2,5-5 cm across.
Leaves: Very fleshy, short cylindrical to chubby pointed, but somewhat flattened grey-green heavily veined with white and more or less purplish, somewhat glaucous, 2 to 2,5 cm long; The imprint from the neighboring leaves gives the plant a distinctive appearance.
Flowers: Its short flower stalk bears but few flowers, dark red with greenish tips with typical scale-like appendages.
Blooming season: Spring.
Remarks: Leaves easily fall off the stem, but soon throw out roots from the base and form young plantlets, a means of propagation characteristic of the Crassulaceae.
Most Pachyphytum can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in potting soil for succulents and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.
2. Echeveria ‘Cubic Frost’
Echeveria ‘Cubic Frost’ is a stunning succulent, up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall, with cool lilac to lilac-pink leaves. It grows quickly and can produce offsets freely, creating attractive clusters of rosettes that can get up to 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. The leaves are distinctively upturned, pointy, symmetrical and fleshy. From spring to summer, it produces lovely, orange and bell-shaped flowers.
Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings.
3. x Graptoveria ‘Bashful’
x Graptoveria ‘Bashful’ is a sun-loving succulent with stemless, clump-forming rosettes, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter, of thick, chubby and minty green leaves. It turns bright, translucent pink from direct sunlight and cool temperatures. If grown in the shade, it will lose that coloration and fade to its original green. The flowers are pink and appear on long arching stems.
x Graptoveria is generally easy to propagate, by seeds, leaf cuttings or offsets. Any rosette that breaks off has the potential to root and start a new plant. Even a leaf that drops off will root below the parent plant and produce a new rosette quickly. The new plant feeds off the leaf until it shrivels up and falls off. By then the new little plant has rooted and sprouted new leaves.
4. Graptopetalum ‘Purple Delight’
Graptopetalum ‘Purple Delight’ is a perennial succulent plant and native to Mexico and Arizona. They grow in a rosette. They are not frost hardy but in frost free regions, make excellent rockery plants. Also known as Graptopetalum ‘Snow White’.
They love full sun, light and free-draining soil, very little water, and are not frost-hardy.
They can be propagated easily by separating offsets, but also by leaf cuttings, and by seed if they are not hybrids.
5. Echeveria Melaco
Echeveria ‘Melaco’ is an attractive succulent plant, up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, with shiny, up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, brownish-red rosette with a green center. The flowers are bell-shaped and orange in color.
Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings.
6. Echeveria ‘Hakuhou’
Echeveria ‘Hakuhou’ is a Japanese hybrid cross between Echeveria pallida and Echeveria laui. It is a beautiful, rosette-forming succulent with broad leaves that vary in shade from green, yellow to orange depending on the season. The flowers are orange in color.
Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings.
7. x Pachyveria ‘Orpet’
x Pachyveria ‘Orpet’ is a Korean hybrid between Echeveria and Pachyphytum which is both readily available and easy to grow. It’s versatile, thriving in the (frost-free) garden and in containers.
Most x Pachyveria can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.
How long does it take to propagate succulents in water?
Propagating succulents in water is one of the most popular methods and, for many people, without a doubt, one of the most effective and fastest ways. Depending on your region and conditions, it takes only a few weeks for your new succulents to form roots and be ready to be planted into soil.
How long does it take to grow succulents from seeds?
Depending on the species we are sowing, it can take from a few days to a couple of weeks to germinate. Wet sand must be kept throughout the process. When germinated, the plastic protecting the tray must be removed as then excess moisture can be harmful.
How do you propagate succulents fast?
Propagating succulents require a lot of patience—you cannot simply rush the process. There are, however, ways to make sure your succulent cuttings and leaves heal and callous over faster so that the roots can form sooner.
In order to do that, you can apply cinnamon powder on the wounds of the propagation leaves and cuttings. Usually, the wounds will then heal in about a day or two. In the meantime, keep them away from humidity so as to prevent rot.
Alternatively, you can apply rooting hormone on the cut succulents to promote faster root formation. (Check out the best rooting hormone here.)
How long can succulent cuttings survive?
Beheaded succulent cuttings can survive a few months without roots if kept away from direct sunlight, provided that the wound has fully been calloused over.
Real-Life Experience:
In my personal experience of propagating succulents, I have had instances where my beheaded succulents fail to form roots for about 3 months despite being watered regularly. After 3 months, the already-wrinkled succulents finally formed roots and bounced back to life.