Succulents store water in their thick, fleshy parts, making them highly drought-tolerant plants. Unlike traditional houseplants requiring consistently moist soil, succulents need a planting environment that mimics their arid native habitats. Successfully establishing a new succulent, whether from a nursery pot or a cutting, requires a careful, step-by-step approach to ensure long-term health and prevent common issues like root rot.
Essential Supplies and Container Selection
A healthy succulent foundation requires materials that ensure excellent drainage and prevent waterlogging. The container must have a drainage hole at the bottom to allow excess water to escape freely. Planting without this feature guarantees water accumulation, leading to saturated soil and root decay.
The soil mixture must differ significantly from standard potting soil, which retains moisture for too long due to high organic matter. A proper succulent mix must be highly porous and fast-draining, ideally composed of approximately one-third organic material and two-thirds inorganic grit. This inorganic component should include materials like pumice, perlite, or coarse horticultural sand, which create air pockets and ensure rapid water percolation. You can create a suitable mix by amending commercial cactus and succulent soil with additional grit, aiming for a loose, gritty texture.
Step-by-Step Guide for Potting Rooted Succulents
Transplanting a store-bought succulent requires gentle handling to minimize stress. Carefully remove the succulent from its current container, often by tapping the sides of the pot to loosen the soil. Gently brush or rinse away as much of the old, dense soil as possible from the root ball, as this soil holds too much moisture and compromises the new fast-draining mix.
Inspect the roots, trimming away any that appear dark, mushy, or damaged using clean shears. Fill the new container partway with the prepared mix, creating a small mound of soil in the center. Position the succulent on this mound, spreading the roots slightly, and then backfill the container.
Ensure the plant is seated so the base of the lowest leaves sits just above the soil surface. Lightly tamp the soil down to secure the plant, avoiding tight compaction which reduces aeration. Keeping the leaves off the moist potting medium prevents fungal growth or rot.
Propagating and Planting Cuttings
Starting new succulents from unrooted stem or leaf cuttings requires a specialized healing period before planting. This phase, known as callousing, is necessary because a fresh cut is an open wound susceptible to rot and bacterial infection if introduced immediately to moist soil. The cutting must be left in a dry, warm, and well-ventilated area, out of direct sun, for two to seven days.
During this time, the cut end forms a protective, dry layer of tissue that seals the wound. Once the cut is visibly dry and hardened, the calloused cutting is ready for planting into the prepared succulent mix. For stem cuttings, insert the calloused end deep enough to stand upright. Leaf cuttings are typically laid flat or placed with the calloused end barely touching the soil surface. Roots will emerge from the calloused end within a few weeks.
Post-Planting Care and Watering Schedule
The period immediately following planting requires specific care, whether the plant is a rooted transplant or a calloused cutting. The most important rule is to withhold water for a minimum of five to seven days after potting. This dry period allows any minor root damage sustained during transplanting to heal, preventing pathogens from entering open wounds and causing root rot.
After this initial dry period, the first watering should be thorough, soaking the entire soil volume until water drains out of the container’s holes. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again, as a consistently damp environment is detrimental to succulent health. Place new transplants in a location that receives bright, indirect light to help them acclimate without the stress of intense, direct sun, which can cause scorching.