It’s extremely easy to propagate succulent plants in the summer. All you have to do is stick a succulent cutting in dirt and walk away. It’s so easy that sometimes succulents don’t even need your help. During the summer, the succulent leaves that fall from the plant will root themselves in the dirt.
Propagating Succulents In The Winter
Succulent propagation during the winter is a different story. This time of year, succulents are in a dormant state and getting the cuttings to root is much more challenging. Well, I recently discovered a way to propagate succulent cuttings during the winter – and it was completely by accident. Here’s how it happened.
Related Post: Growing Succulents As Houseplants
Succulents On Window Ledge
How To Propagate Succulents During The Winter
As you can see, I have this wonderful ledge next to my south facing window where my succulent collection lives during the winter. One day, I found a leaf that had fallen off one of these succulent plants had roots and new growth!
Rooted Succulent Leaf Cutting
When the leaf fell from the succulent plant, it landed on the adjacent window frame. It’s a cold but sunny spot, where the succulent leaf received moisture from condensation on the window. I was intrigued, I wanted to see if this was a fluke or something that would work all the time. So I took a few more pieces that had fallen off various succulent plants and put them on the window frame. Sure enough, those succulent leaves all rooted too.
Propagated Succulent Leaf Cuttings
After a few weeks, these succulent leafs started to put on new growth and the roots became fuller. Woohoo!! This is going to be my new method of succulent propagation during the winter.
Related Post: Propagating Jade Plants
Rooting Succulents On Window Frame
Planting Succulent Cuttings
Once the succulent cuttings have sprouted roots, I pot them up in succulent soil. Succulent plants are very sensitive to being overwatered, so it’s important to use potting soil that is specifically made for growing succulents. You can buy succulent soil, or you can make your own succulent soil.
If you find it difficult to propagate succulents during the winter, give this method a try. If it works for you, stop back and let me know.
More Information About Plant Propagation
- Plant Propagation Made Easy eBook
- Plant Propagation Supplies
- Define Propagation: What Is Plant Propagation (and how to get started)
- How to Propagate Succulents
- How To Propagate Spider Plants
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For more details about propagating your favorite houseplants, click here… Houseplant Propagation
Do you propagate succulents in winter? Leave a comment below and share your tips for propagating succulents.
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Wow, very cool…
Great job and wonderful find! Succulents like that light and will root anytime of year. These little leaves will make roots as long as you give them some light. I have some that did this on my cold garage floor. LOL Put them in dirt when they have a tiny little plant and they will grow. These little guys want more water than an adult but still be careful!
Hi Candy, thanks for your informative comment! Here in Minnesota, I haven't had great success rooting succulents during the winter… until now. 🙂 I've already potted up the ones in the picture, and I'm waiting on more to root. I love succulents!!
Amy
I'm really surprised these rooted for you. How cool is that? Every opportunity to see something growing during the winter is a real treat. Thanks for sharing.
I was surprised too! The house is so dry during the winter that usually they just shrivel up and die when they drop on the ledge. But the window frame was the key. I guess it's the perfect spot for them right now.
Just put some on the window ledge,I will up date
Cool! Can't wait to see what happens! 🙂
Thanks for this! I’m in NY and just getting into these a little more now. I’m in love! Have already had some live and learn moments .
You’re welcome!
Oh WOW Amy, I LOVE IT!! I am learning so much great information through you. I will be trying this method from now on, thank you and I can’t wait to get more succulent plants for my tiny collection!!:-)
Awesome, hope it works great for you too!
Amy
Brought some succulents cuttings home from a friend of mine in California to Illinois. I planted in two large pots in the correct type of soil. I put them in the sun when we have it and put a plant light on them when we don’t. I don’t see how they will ever take root in the dry soil. I water lightly once a week. Any other tricks you know that will make them grow or at least stay alive until summer when I can put them outside?
It’s hard to get succulent cuttings to root in dirt during the winter. Rather than watering them, try misting them and make sure to put them in a warm spot. You definitely want to keep the soil dry, or they will likely rot. Misting daily will help encourage root growth. Also, dipping the cuttings in rooting hormone will help encourage them to grow roots. Hope it works!
Hi Amy, Thanks for the tip, I’ll definitely give this a try. I haven’t had any luck here in Oklahoma when I bring my succulents in for the Winter, the dry heat and lack of sunshine kill them every time. Where can I buy a good plant light?
I have a couple of small grow lights that work great to supplement the amount of light that one or two plants get, but don’t take up a ton of room. Here’s the one I have Small Grow Light. Otherwise, you can get a shop light and then buy grow light bulbs that fit in there. I set up those when I’m starting my seeds. This is the type of fixture that I have… Shop Light Fixture.
Have you started the succulents from seed? Have you had any luck with it. I just bought some seeds but I don’t know if I can start them before spring. Could I do it now and use a grow light?
I have grown a few of my succulents from seeds. I guess it depends on the type of succulent plant it is. If they are plants for outside, then I would wait until late winter to start them. Otherwise, if they are for succulent houseplants, then you could start them now if you want.
Your blog is so helpful. Its winter already and i need 150 plus succulents for spring. I did my cuttings last night and an going to the store now for root stimulator. Have you tried a dome set up with a grow light or would thaf be too much moisture? I dont have a south facing window but will pick up my grow lights at my moms in a few days. Ive got 55 cuttings so far, wish me luck.
A dome enclosure would probably be too much moisture for succulents. What I did with mine was I put them into clear plastic storage bins. I left the tops off the bins. When the plants are grouped together in this way, they should get enough humidity. I would allow the soil to stay on the dry side and mist them lightly throughout the winter if they look like they’re starting to shrivel. Don’t overdo the misting though or they could rot or mold. Keep in mind that succulents don’t grow much during the winter, so they won’t need fertilizer or much water. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. So far so good. I had quite a bit of loss but lots of success so far. The plants are close to the gas fireplace that heats my appartmeny and the grow light is on 16-20 hours a day. I have a handheld sprayer that I use to water them when they feel completely dry. Im going to start using my humidifier more and hopefully that will also help the plants think its not winter. The wedding is in 3 months and I need these babies to grow.
Awesome! Sounds like you’re doing all the right things! Now that spring is right around the corner, you could give them a half dose of liquid fertilizer next time you water, and gradually increase that to a full dose each time you water.
I guess I have a huge advantage living in north San Diego county. I’m still propagating succulents outdoors in December! I was just looking into ways of keeping my tiniest plants warm for the winter when I came across this article. Contrary to popular opinion, it does get cold at night (high 20’s to low 30’s) in southern California! I live in an apartment and my porch faces north, so I have less light to work with too. The struggle is real, I swear.
Yes… yes you do! I dream about living there myself… some day!! Haha, I believe you! Everyone has struggles no matter where they live. 🙂 Good luck with your babies.
Hi Amy,
I tried your method and I have 2 succulent leaves that are sprouting. Once they begin sprouting, is this the time to go ahead and put them in soil?? Or do I need to wait, and if so, wait for what exactly? Thanks in advance!
Awesome! So glad to hear it worked for you!! You can simply lay the leaves on top of the soil and gently cover their roots with a bit of soil. I just lightly mist them after I move them into a pot rather than watering them. Then once spring comes, start fertilizing. Their roots will find their way into the soil as they grow larger. Good luck!
I’ve been using this method for a while now, snd it works every time.:) but what I can’t figure out I’d hire to pot the bitty babies they are too small to do the traditional way of digging a little hole and filling in around. If you could show us how to put the babies.that would be awesome!
I just lay them on top of the dirt and cover the roots lightly with dirt. Once they start to grow larger, the roots will find their way into the soil.