Last Updated on April 24, 2022
Succulent propagation is easy and fun. You just need to place your cuttings in the soil and watch it grow. Some ingredients can boost your propagated plants, and honey is one of these ingredients. Either you are propagating from a leaf or stems cuttings, we will teach you how to propagate succulents with honey.
Honey is a great substance for plants especially succulents. It contains nutrients that enhance root growth, thus, can be used as a rooting hormone. Therefore, if you would like to propagate your succulents, you can definitely make use of honey as root growth hormones.
So, let’s discuss how you can propagate succulents with honey.
Honey as Rooting Hormone in Succulent Propagation
Honey will encourage the root growth of your succulents. Honey is a natural substance. So if you are the one that does not like using a chemical substance on your plants, you can opt for honey as a natural rooting hormone.
More so, honey is readily available and affordable which is even better. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties which will go along way for the cutting of your root.
Examples of the easiest succulent to grow with honey as a rooting hormone are Aloe Vera plants, Jade plants, Echeveria, Zebra plants, Panda plants, Sedum, Graptoverias, etc.
How to Propagate Succulents with Honey
For you to multiply small succulent plants, propagation by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings is the best way.
Now when it comes to propagating your cuttings, you can either use water or plant succulents directly into the soil. We recommend you plant directly into the soil. Propagating with a water-based medium may not be ideal, your succulent root may rot and not grow well and your plants may eventually die.
Planting your succulents directly into the soil is a great way. However, it may take a longer time for your succulents to root. This is why using a root growth hormone such as honey will be helpful. Honey will hasten the development of your succulent roots and protect the rotting of the root.
Propagating Succulents from Leaves and Cuttings
Firstly, when propagating your succulents, select only the healthy-looking succulents. Also, avoid plants with damaged leaves or dehydration.
Leaves Propagation: carefully remove a couple of leaves from the bottom of your succulent plant with your fingers. The entire leaves must come off. Do this by gently twisting the leaves back and forth till it comes off.
Read more about Scoria and Pumice: Pros and Cons for Succulent Growing
Stem Cuttings Propagation: with stem cuttings propagation, make use of scissors or a sharp tool. Cut off then stem from the mother plant or you can cut an offset.
After cutting, you will need to wait for some days for them to be dried out. Your cutting is like a cut and should be hardened till it forms a crustaceous covering. This covering is important to avoid cuttings infection.
Applying Honey to Succulents
Now, you can insert the open end of the dried out succulent into raw honey.
Honey is an organic substance and you don’t have to worry about using chemicals on your succulent plants. It is an agent that will help stimulate the natural root hormones in your succulent cuttings.
Honey will protect your developing propagated succulents from pathogens such as fungi and bacteria that may develop into root rot. Your propagated succulents will be kept safe till they grow stronger and bigger.
Next thing is to find a tray with a drainage hole in the bottom and fill it with a cactus mix. Now lay the cuttings on the soil and make sure you don’t bury them. Ten you water your plant.
Watering is essential for rooting succulents. However, ensure you don’t water too much to prevent root rot. You can simply make use of a spray bottle to wet the soil sparingly. Only the topsoil needs to be wet and wet the topsoil whenever you see they are dry.
Position the tray in indirect sunlight till plants begin to establish themselves. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight to prevent leaves burn.
Have a lot of patients and you will begin to see small roots emerge in a few weeks. When you notice your plant’s roots have properly developed mature, you can slowly introduce them to direct sunlight. You can now transplant them into individual pots.
Even though there are other natural rooting hormones such as cinnamon and apple cider vinegar: honey can be your best option. Honey is affordable, easily accessible, and effective compared to other options.
The main thing the rooting hormone does is to maximize the chance of rooting your succulents. However, you will need to add other factors to maximize the success of your succulent propagation. These factors include good soil mix, choosing healthy succulents, well-draining pot, right watering, sunlight, and so on.
Can you use honey to root succulents?
Yes, you can use honey to root succulents! Honey is a great food for plants.
It's easy to work with and can be used in any potting mix.
What are the benefits of using honey to root succulents? Succulents need a lot of water. They grow better in a humid environment, but some like to dry out. If they dry out too much, they will wilt and die. Honey can be used to add moisture to the soil or plant. It also adds nutrients and minerals to the soil, which helps keep the plants healthy.
Honey is also a natural insect repellent and attracts beneficial insects to your garden. The ants that live around your house are a good example of this.
What is the quickest way to propagate a succulent?
If you want to grow your own plant from seed and have it thrive, there are three main methods: Sow the seed in a pot of soil with the correct light, temperature, and humidity levels, and leave it alone for a few months.
After that, transplant the seedling to a larger pot and water it regularly. Eventually, the roots will grow out of the soil and into the soil. If you're interested in growing your own plants, check out these articles about propagation. If you're looking to buy plants, you can find them at many nurseries or online. Succulents are one of the easiest plants to propagate because they don't need much care to grow. They like high temperatures and bright light, so you should be able to get them to thrive by giving them the right conditions.
Is it better to propagate succulents in water or soil?
You should propagate succulents in the same media that you want them to be potted up in later on. So in your case, if you want them to be potted in soil, then you should also propagate them in soil.
The reason for this is that you are less likely to get any root rot issues when propagating them in soil. Another factor to consider is the pot size. If you are using small pots, then you may need to use soil as a medium because of the limited space inside the pot. But if you are using large pots, then you should probably just use water to propagate your succulents.
Why are my succulents not propagating?
If your succulents are not growing, they may be suffering from a lack of water. The best way to ensure that your plants receive the right amount of water is to use a rain gauge. You can also use a hydrometer or a rain gauge to check the amount of water in the soil. It’s important that you keep track of how much water your succulents need and how often they need to be watered.
This will help them grow strong and healthy. Succulents require a lot of attention. They require plenty of sunlight and water.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.