LEARN HOW TO PROPAGATE SUCCULENTS

Once you have learned how to propagate succulents you will be able to expand your collection without having to buy another plant. Succulents have the advantage over some other plants of being easy to care for and needing little attention. I came across this information on propagation in an article by Melissa Will on her Empress of Dirt website.

It?s quite simple to grow new succulents from the ones you have and there?s no need to buy new plants when the ones you have are ready to make babies any time. I?ll show you what I do to propagate my favourites.
The term succulent covers a broad range of plants with one thing in common: drought-resistance due to their water-storing abilities in both the leaves and stems. Who knew water-retention could look so good?
While every plant under the succulent umbrella does not behave the same way, many of the common ones sold as houseplants (like the Echeverias and Sempervivums you see here) are definitely easy to care for and propagate.
Like many houseplants, indoor succulents probably struggle the most from too much or too little care. We either forget they?re there or water too much. It took me years to find a happy balance.
What makes indoor succulents happy?
Here?s what works for mine.
I?ve got my collection of succulents?on an east-facing window sill where they get approximately 6 hours of sun each day (depending on the time of year).
I let them dry out between waterings and find they need a drink about every 1-2 weeks depending on how intense the heat is (and how dry the air in the house is). Winter can be brutal this way.
The goal when watering is to give the roots some moisture. My very scientific and effective test is to stick my finger in the soil. If it?s bone-dry one-inch below the surface, I water.
You?ll notice that succulents go through cycles. There will be growth spurts and dormant periods, and sometimes, like you?ll see here, flowers are produced.

I absolutely love succulent flowers. I know some people like to boost things with fertilizer but I don?t find it necessary. Things seem to go just fine on their own. Flowers form, last a few weeks, gradually drying out and going to seed. After that, the plant rests, and then cycles through again.
I like to check my succulents about once a week to be sure everybody is happy and see if there?s any babies to catch. This can be fallen leaves that are ready to root, tall or leggy sections that can be snipped off to form new plants, or babies that have sprouted in the soil and may benefit from transplanting to their own pots.