How to Plant Succulent Cuttings

Learn how to propagate succulents by cuttings

By
Cori Sears
Cori sitting on a green chair against a white wall.
Cori Sears

Cori Sears is a writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in houseplants, gardening, and home decor. She writes about trending news, interior design, houseplants, and gardening for The Spruce. Her expertise in these areas has led her to contribute to other major publications including Better Homes and Gardens and Apartment Therapy.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 04/04/24
Reviewed by
Barbara Gillette
Barbara Gillette
Reviewed by Barbara Gillette
Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
A flatlay concept depicts succulent cuttings, terracotta pots, and pruning shears on a brown deck.

 The Spruce / Cori Sears

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: One plant
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Are your succulents getting a bit unruly? Or are you just hoping to grow your succulent collection? Fortunately, succulents are super easy to propagate from cuttings, and they require very little care once planted. Read on to learn how to plant succulent cuttings like a pro.

Succulent cuttings are used frequently for floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, and even as cake decorations. They have a long life, surviving as cut foliage for weeks without soil which makes them ideal "living decor." However, succulent cuttings are not just for show. Plant them and give them a little love, and soon you will have a new succulent plant. The best part is, it costs almost nothing. All you need is some pruning shears (or sharp scissors), soil, and some small pots to plant the cuttings. 

When to Take Succulent Cuttings

Take cuttings from your succulents in the spring or summer months for the best success. While succulent cuttings can technically be taken any time, removing them when the succulents are in their active growing period will help to ensure that the mother plant recovers from the pruning and that the new succulent has the strength to survive on its own.

How to Find a Good Cutting

If your succulent is growing offshoots or pups, these can be cut off and planted in the same manner as for regular succulent cuttings. Otherwise, take a cutting from areas that need pruning or shaping. Large, established succulents can handle pruning more easily than others and can recover from larger cuttings being taken. Smaller succulents will require smaller cuttings, so keep this in mind.

Nearly all succulents propagate easily through cuttings, although some types of succulents (such as furry/hairy succulents) are generally more difficult to propagate than others. Your success rate may depend on which type of succulent you are propagating.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Pruning shears

Materials

  • Succulent soil
  • Small pot
  • Succulent plant

Instructions

How to Plant Succulent Cuttings

  1. Take the Cutting

    Taking a cutting from a jade plant with pruning shears.
     The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Find an appropriate spot on your succulent to take the cutting. With your pruning shears, make one swift and even cut through the stem of the succulent to separate a cutting. Ensure that the cutting has about one inch of stem exposed for planting. This may require removing the lower leaves of the cutting.

  2. Let the Cutting Form a Callus

    Holding a succulent cutting upside down to show the calloused cut end.

    After the cutting has been taken it cannot be planted in the soil right away. Set the cutting aside in a dry location for 24 hours to let the injured stem of the cutting form a callus. After 24 hours, the stem should be healed and not look wet in any areas. The cutting is now ready to be planted.

  3. Plant the Cutting

    A succulent cutting is being planted in a terracotta pot, on a brown deck.
     The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Prepare a small plastic or terra-cotta pot with a succulent mix or well-draining soil. Poke a small hole in the center of the soil and gently place the stem of the succulent cutting in the hole, firming up the dirt around it. Ensure that the lowest leaf of the cutting is sitting slightly above the soil to avoid rot. 

    Do not water the cutting after planting. Place the newly planted succulent cutting in a location with bright, indirect sun and leave it for two or three weeks.

  4. Begin Watering Once Roots Sprout

    A potted jade succulent is being watered by a gold watering can.
     The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Unlike propagating other plants, it is important to wait to water a new succulent cutting until roots have developed. Since succulents do not require a lot of water to begin with, watering a cutting before it has developed roots can quickly result in the cutting rotting under the soil. Don’t worry—succulent cuttings can survive without water for quite a long time!

    After letting the cutting sit for two to three weeks, give the top of the cutting an extremely gentle tug to test for roots. If there is any resistance, roots have begun to grow, and the cutting can now be watered. Once the cutting has developed roots it may require more frequent watering than regular succulents until it is established. To avoid overwatering, ensure that the top one inch of soil dries out between waterings.

  5. Patience, Patience, Patience!

    A small potted jade plant sits in front of a large terracotta pot, pruning shears are in the background.
     The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Succulent cuttings grow slowly, so be patient as you care for your new plant. However, within a couple of months of planting, you should begin to notice new growth.

    As succulent cuttings mature, they can be gradually moved back into more intense light–slowly working up to the full sun conditions that most succulents prefer. Keep in mind that succulent cuttings are easy to kill with too much love. They thrive on neglect and only need light watering once the soil dries out. 

FAQ
  • Can you replant succulents without any roots?

    Yes, as long as the succulent isn't rotting and its wounds have had a chance to form a callus, you can plant it in soil without roots. You will want to avoid watering the soil until roots develop, because if you water the soil and there are no roots to uptake the moisture, the cutting will be left sitting in wet soil and could rot.

  • Can you cut off a piece of a succulent and then plant it?

    It depends on what "piece" you cut off. Most succulent leaves can be planted, and most cacti can be re-grown from offshoots or from main stem cuttings.

  • Can you put cactus cuttings into soil right away?

    Planting cactus cuttings in soil right away is a bad idea, because moisture in the soil is likely to rot the cactus through its open wound. Cacti cuttings need time to form a callus. They usually need more time than succulent cuttings, because cacti cuttings tend to be larger. Wait for the cut edge of your cactus cutting to heal and dry fully before placing it in soil.