Grow New Succulents From a Single Leaf

Succulents are easier to propagate than most plants, though it took me some trial and error in my dry Utah climate.  Here are the tricks I've found that work, so you can grow new plants from leaves and cuttings too.

Gently twist a leaf off the stem. Make sure it's a clean pull, with nothing left behind. A torn leaf won't grow.

Twist off a leaf

Grab sharp scissors and cut off a piece just above a leaf on the stem. The top of the plant or a new offshoot both work.

Or take a cutting

Set your leaf or cutting aside for one to three days, so the end can scab over. If it doesn't, it'll soak up too much water and drown.

Let it dry out

Lay leaves on top of the soil (don't bury the ends). Water each time the soil dries out. I use a spray bottle to wet the top.

Set leaves on the soil

In a few weeks you'll see tiny roots, then little leaf babies. Keep the roots covered with soil and let the old leaf dry up.

Leaf babies appear

Once your baby has its own roots and leaves, move it into its own pot. It's so fun to grow new plants from a single leaf!

More Succulent Topics

Well-draining soil for succulents

Choosing the right pot

Why succulents stretch out