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PropagatingPropagating (PRAH-puh-gate-ing) a plant is to grow another p... succulents is an inexpensive way to grow your collection. Sharing cuttings with friends and neighbors adds diversity to your collection and strengthens your community of succulent lovers — and that’s always a great thing. But some succulents are slow to propagate, and some are tricky. No one propagation method works for all succulents. Some do best with division. Others by succulent stem propagation. Still others by their leaves. To simplify the process, I have compiled this list of my top 8 easiest succulents to propagate — and I managed to keep it to just 12! 🙂 Read on for my favorite succulents to propagate and the methods that work best for each!

Easiest Succulents to Propagate

{Please note, some links in this post may be affiliate links to sites that pay me a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This commission is at absolutely no cost to you. I only recommend products and companies that I have worked with and truly love! ~Kat}

Methods for Propagating Succulents

I love propagating succulents. It is so rewarding. I have written 3 blog posts, 1 on each of 3 of the propagation methods. I’m sure I’ll get around to one on sowing seeds someday, but I don’t have the patience for vegetable seeds, let alone succulents! 🙂

There are four primary ways to propagate succulents:

• Succulent stem propagation – the vast majority of succulents can be propagated from stem cuttings
• Propagating succulents from leaves – many succulent varieties can be propagated from a single leaf
• Succulent division – dividing succulents works with a good number of varieties
• Sowing succulent seeds – nearly all succulents will grow from seed if you have the patience for it

My 12 easiest succulents to propagate are made up of 4 varieties for each method, excluding seeds.

Sedum clavatum – Dividing Succulents

Whether propagating succulents from leaves, stem cuttings or division, Sedum clavatum is one of my very favorites. In fact, it is a top favorite for me no matter what I am doing with plants. Lovely, powder blue rosettes form dense mats that tumble over the edge of a pot or rock garden with a gently trailing habit. Utterly lovely – and so easy to grow! Though it qualifies as one of the easiest succulents to propagate by any method, it was perfect for illustrating my blog post on dividing succulents.

Portulacaria afra – Succulent Stem Propagation

Portulacaria afra is another of my all-time favorite succulents that definitely qualifies as one of the easiest succulents to propagate. Vivid burgundy stems are straight and strong, with small, round, bright green leaves. In their native Africa, these are commonly called “elephant’s food”. The variegated Portulacaria has arching stems that can reach well below the pot they are planted in — incredibly lovely and perfect for mixed succulent plantings! Portulacaria are great for learning the principles of pruning, reliably forming 2 new sprouts at each point when cut. This is a perfect variety for succulent stem propagation.

Sedum rubrotinctum – Leaf Propagation

I dearly love the whimsical, jelly bean-like leaves of Sedum rubrotinctum. The starry, lemon-yellow blooms are highly attractive to butterflies, and the stress coloring is marvelous! There’s even a pink version of this jelly bean plant. It rapidly forms dense mats and tumbles over the edge of planters to soften the look. Super easy to grow, there is only 1 reason beginning succulent lovers don’t love rubrotinctum. The leaves can pop off easily if you handle it roughly. Don’t skip the plant because of this — it’s a clear sign that propagating succulents from leaves will be successful! The plant is so good at sprouting roots from a leaf, that it drops leaves before the stems could break. It’s a survival mechanism that will fill your garden with jelly beans! 🙂

Crassula muscosa – Dividing Succulents

Crassula muscosa is a fine-leafed stacked crassula, commonly called the watch chain crassula. Slim stacks of tiny leaves reach 4-8 inches tall, forming thick, lush mats of foliage. Particularly charming in a mixed succulent planting, where its texture is a wonderful foil for other forms. Happy in shady spots, this succulent performs well indoors, too. Choose Crassula muscosa for dividing succulents — it’s the perfect variety to practice your division with.

Aeonium Kiwi – Succulent Stem Propagation

I love absolutely everything about Aeonium ‘Kiwi’! (Are you starting to sense why it was soooo difficult to keep this list so short? :)) Perfect rosettes of green and yellow blush a sweet pink at the margins with good lighting. Stress causes the pink to become a bright red, like the above. Kiwi’s rosettes form dense shrubs that can completely hide the twisting, woody stems that bear them. Incredibly easy to grow, Aeonium Kiwi takes to succulent stem propagation quickly and easily.

Graptoveria Fred Ives – Leaf Propagation

Look at the gorgeous, sunset colors that wash the leaves of Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’! The large, open rosettes of this variety easily reach 8 inches across and grow 12 inches tall. Incredibly easy to grow and forgiving of poor growing conditions, Fred is a perfect starter succulent for beginners that will be cherished by the most expert succulent growers. Fred is a fast grower that is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. All graptoveria propagate easily and well from stem cuttings as well as from propagating succulents from leaves. But Fred Ives is really special.

Sempervivum/Jovibarba – Succulent Stem Propagation

Sempervivum and jovibarba, aka Sempervivum heuffelii, are some among the very easiest succulents to propagate through division. Each plant forms many baby plants around it, connected by a single, above-ground stem. These baby plants are the “chicks” that surround the “hens” in these “hens and chicks” style succulents. When the baby plant has reached a good size, simply pinch the stem in two, and set the baby plant on dry succulent soil. Soon, it will form roots and form a whole new plant. The very essence of dividing succulents! These elegant rosettes are super cold-hardy, with wonderful color all year long.

Graptopetalum Paraguayense – Leaf Propagation

Graptopetalum paraguayense is an incredibly fast and easy-to-grow succulent with astonishing, opalescent white rosettes that give rise to the common name, ghost plant. It is definitely one of the easiest succulents to propagate — and one of the fastest! Long, curling bare stems are tipped with these elegant rosettes. Although I am listing it in the section for propagating succulents from leaves, it is just as easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Fair warning – do not plant Graptopetalum paraguayense unless you’re prepared to fall in love!

Sedum moriganianum – Leaf Propagation

Want to try propagating succulents from leaves? Sedum moriganianum is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. As easy to grow as it is elegant, this beauty forms pendulous stems of chubby leaves that trail beautifully. Commonly called donkey’s tail or burros tail, it contrasts beautifully in color and texture with other varieties in mixed succulent arrangements. Yes, the leaves snap off easily if you’re not careful as you handle it. But this is a sign that it takes to leaf propagation easily and well. Moriganianum is also an excellent candidate for stem cuttings.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana – Dividing Succulents

Kalancho daigremontiana has a peculiar growth habit. It forms small offsetsSucculent offsets are the baby succulents that form at the b..., or baby succulents, all along the edge of its leaves. Each baby forms aerial roots, ready to drop to the warm, waiting soil below to begin life as its own, grown-up plant. It may be unfair to list it among the easiest succulents to propagate. Simply pluck a baby with developed roots, and drop it onto dry succulent soil. It’s almost too easy. So easy in fact, these plants are listed as invasive species in very warm, mild climates like Florida.

Crassula ovata – Succulent Stem Propagation

Crassula ovata, the ever-popular jade plant, is wonderfully easy to grow and to propagate via succulent stem propagation. It grows happily indoors, or out. In shade or inside, the leaves are a rich, deep, emerald green. With a lot of sun exposure, stress coloring develops with paler green leaves marked by bright red margins. Beautiful! Starry white blooms in dense clusters develop in fall or winter. This is another excellent choice for beginners to grow that experts continue to love.

Echeveria – Propagating Succulents from Leaves

Echeveria are among the most popular succulents as well as one of the easiest succulents to propagate from leaves. They form perfect rosettes in a wide range of colors and shapes. Echeveria ‘Lola’ above, may be my favorite echeveria. Isn’t she exquisite? While you certainly can propagate echeveria by cutting the stem below the rosette, I reserve that process for etiolated succulents. With healthy plants, propagating succulents from leaves will get you many more baby echeveria.

I hope you found this list of the easiest succulents to propagate useful! Did you see some of your favorites? Or did you “meet” someone new to try? Whether you’re dividing succulents, doing stem cuttings or propagating from leaves, mastering these techniques will be invaluable to you as you learn more about growing succulents. If you prefer not to take leaves or cuttings from your own plants yet, The Succulent Source sells individual leaves for propagation, and Mountain Crest Gardens sells beautiful cuttings and cutting mixes.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment. I am happy to help and will get right back to you!

Because life is just better with succulents!

P.S. For more succulent care information, please subscribe to The Succulent Eclectic. I’ll send you my FREE e-course 7 Steps to Succulent Success!

P.P.S. Why not join my Facebook Group for succulent lovers? We talk about succulent care, propagation, succulent identification, and design. It’s a warm and welcoming group that would love to meet you!