Advanced succulent care

We love succulents! They are easy to grow and care for, work well in our California climate, and are an easy way to add some interesting greenery to your living spaces both indoors and out. In an earlier article we covered the basics of growing and caring for succulents. If that inspired you to try starting your own succulent garden, fantastic! In this article, we’d like to share even more tips for advanced succulent care.

Insects on succulents

If you see any insects on your succulents, try to deal with it as quickly as possible. Take a picture of the insect or any damage you see happening to your plant, and show those pictures to an expert at your local home and garden center for feedback. Succulents in general do not like insecticides, so don’t immediately douse them with chemicals.

Often the solution can be quite simple. One common insect problem on succulents are small, white mealy bugs. These can be removed by dipping a Q-tip in isopropyl alcohol and gently wiping the bugs off.

Weird streaks on succulent folliage

This is very simple to deal with and not a cause for alarm. Several types of succulents produce a fine white powdery coating for their foliage. Streaks in that powder are created when they are touched or rub up against something. The solution? Try not to touch too much and they’ll be fine.

Propagating succulents

Here are three ways to help succulents propagate and create new healthy “babies.”

Propagating leaves: Remove healthy leaves carefully so that the part that was attached to the stem has a clean break (not ripped or shredded). Set them aside in a clean dish, not touching each other, for a couple of days in a bright area with indirect light to allow the cut end to dry and callus over.

Lay the dried leaves flat in a dish filled with cactus soil and place where they get plenty of light. Water them with a spray bottle every other day and be patient as you watch roots and then mall baby succulents form. This will take weeks, so be patient. Once they are large enough, you can plant each one in its own container.

Propagating tops: Carefully cut the top or a large section off a healthy succulent plant. Following the same procedure as above, set it aside and allow 5-7 days for the cut portion to dry and callus. Plant it immediately in a new container and water and care as normal.

Propagating stems: After you’ve removed the leaves and top, as we detail above, you can also use the stem! Just leave it in its original container or in the ground, cut off the top evenly, water as normal and it should put out its own baby succulents as well.