Succulents are known and loved as low-maintenance plants that are vibrant and fun to grow. They are usually petite, making it possible to decorate any well-lit space with ease. Once you start growing them, you're bound to repot them at some point, and even more likely to happen upon cuttings. Here are a few scenarios you may find yourself in once you're sucked into the succulent craze:
- You received cuttings from a friend, or decided to chop your succulent.
- You purchased a Grower's Choice Succulent Pack from heyrooted.com.
- You found a piece of succulent on a plant shop floor. Don't worry––we won't tell.
We have all the information you need to successfully pot any succulent cutting. If any of the above statements are true for you, here's what you'll need:
- Succulent cuttings
- Potting soil for arid plants
- A pot
- A broom and/or newspaper or any recyclable surface to work on for easy cleanup
When choosing a pot for your succulents, be mindful of allowing some space for growth. They will do well in shallow pots and can be potted together, but need at least a little bit of space in between each other so they can fill in the pot properly.
Here are the steps to get your new plants growing:
- If your pot lacks a drainage hole, add a layer of lava rocks to the bottom of your pot. We strongly recommend drainage holes, so if you're able to drill into your pot safely, do so. If your pot has a drainage hole, you can mix some lava rocks into the soil for extra aeration.
- Prepare your pot with succulent potting mix that you pre-purchased, or mix your own using a 3:1:1 ratio of potting soil:sand:perlite. You should fill it almost to the top, leaving about 1-2" of space between the soil line and pot rim.
- Strategically place your succulent cuttings in the potting mix. If your succulent is flat, you can simply place it on top of the soil. If it has a stem, you can bury it. (Once they take root, you won't want to disturb them much. Make sure you're happy with how it looks and get creative!)
- Place your freshly potted succulents in a window with bright direct or indirect light. For most succulents, the more light, the better.
- Lightly water the soil to help the succulents acclimate to their new homes and to encourage root growth.
Now that your succulents are freshly potted, water them frequently until they are rooted. Don't keep soil soggy, but be sure to water when you notice it getting dry. You'll know roots have established in about 4 weeks, when the plants are firmly tucked into the soil. Once this happens, you should slow waterings down to every 2-3 weeks, or whenever the soil is completely dried out.
About 6 weeks after the succulent cuttings have taken root, you can consider using an Organic Fertilizer Shaker for succulents to optimize foliage growth and plant health. The plants don't need it immediately after repotting, but eventually, they will appreciate the nutrient boost. Now that you know how easy it is, go ahead and start building a desert oasis of your very own.