Repotting a succulent cutting involves planting a prepared, often callused, cutting into a pot filled with appropriate soil. It's the process of giving your new succulent plant its first home.
Getting Your Succulent Cutting Ready
Before planting, ensure your succulent cutting has formed a callus on its cut end. This prevents rot. Place the cutting in a dry, indirect light location for a few days to a week until the cut surface is dry and sealed.
- For rosette cuttings, like Echeverias or Sempervivums, you typically do not need to remove leaves from the base before allowing them to callus. Other types might benefit from leaf removal to expose a stem for planting.
Choosing the Pot and Soil
Selecting the right pot and soil mix is crucial for succulent success.
- Pot: Choose a small pot, usually just slightly larger than the cutting base. Pots with drainage holes are essential to prevent waterlogging. Terracotta pots are often preferred as they allow soil to dry out faster.
- Soil: Use a well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix. You can also create your own by mixing standard potting soil with perlite or coarse sand (about 1:1 ratio) to improve drainage.
Planting the Succulent Cutting
Once your cutting is callused and you have your pot and soil ready, you can plant it.
- Fill the pot with your succulent potting mix.
- Make a small indentation in the center of the soil with your finger or a pencil.
- Gently place the callused end of the succulent cutting into the indentation.
- Pack the soil lightly around the base of the cutting. This helps the cutting stand upright and provides stability as it roots. Avoid compacting the soil too much, as roots need air.
- Ensure that the lowest leaves sit just above the soil without touching it. This prevents the leaves from sitting in damp soil and potentially rotting.
Initial Care After Planting
After planting, resist the urge to water immediately.
- Watering: Wait for at least a few days, often a week or two, before the first watering. This allows the cutting to start forming roots in search of moisture and further reduces the risk of rot. Water thoroughly when you do, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
- Light: Place the newly potted cutting in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight initially, especially during the hottest part of the day, as this can scorch the unrooted cutting.
- Rooting: It can take several weeks for the cutting to develop roots. You can gently tug on the cutting after a few weeks; resistance indicates roots are forming.
Following these steps, including ensuring the soil is packed lightly for stability and keeping the lowest leaves above the soil, will give your succulent cutting the best chance to establish a healthy root system and grow into a thriving plant.
