Guide to Growing Succulents

Start With a Potted Succulent, Cutting or Seeds

There are three ways to start your succulent garden: Buy a potted succulent; get a leaf or stem cutting from an existing succulent; or plant seeds. Here what to know about each option:

Potted succulents

Pros

• It’s the quickest and most popular way for beginners to start their collection.
• The plant often comes with care instructions on the label.
• It’s already filled with the correct soil.

Cons

• The most expensive option.

Succulent cuttings

Pros

• Stem cuttings and leaves can be free if family or friends are willing to share.
• Growing from cuttings or leaves takes less time than growing from seeds.
• Stem cuttings purchased online cost less than potted succulents.

Cons

• Time. It takes three to six months for these to produce their first roots.
• Requires rooting hormone to prevent diseases and encourage root growth.
• Some online sellers are not reputable. Look at ratings and read reviews.

Succulent seeds

Pros

• The least expensive way to start. Packets contain 10 to 1,000 seeds.
• Seeds are available for exotic and rare succulents you won’t find elsewhere.
• With patience, seeds are the best method to produce lots of plants for your landscape.

Cons

• It can take seeds up to a year to be large enough to transplant into a bigger pot, where they must grow large enough to plant outside.
• Succulent seeds are tiny, so be careful once you open the packet. A sudden breeze can easily blow them away. I dropped a packet once and lost countless seeds.
• Seed trays and growing pots require indoor space for a long time.
• Seed packets often contain mixed varieties, so you won’t know what they are until they develop leaves.