Leggy Succulents

Leggy Succulents

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Remove leaves. Let leaves dry. Repot the stem. Get ready to grow. Spray soil until it’s moist, without being drenched. Wait. Replant. Lastly, be sure to check the roots every six months to see if you need to move your plants to a bigger pot.

Can you cut the top off a leggy succulent?

The simple solution is to move the plant to a southern exposure. But this still leaves that leggy party. Fortunately, leggy succulent plants can be topped, removing the part that is too tall and allowing new shoots to form and develop into a more compact plant.

Why is my succulent growing tall instead of wide?

If your succulent is growing tall instead of wide, it means it is suffering from etiolation. Simply said, your succulent needs more light. Sad to say, once the damage is done, it can’t be undone.

Why is my succulent growing a long stem in the middle?

Succulents will grow long stems when they are not getting enough sunlight. This process is called etiolation, where they start to turn and stretch out in search of light, giving them a “leggy” appearance with a long stem and smaller, spaced-out leaves.

What happens if you cut the top off a succulent?

You can continue to care for this plant the same as you were before making the cut. The leaves you left on the base plant originally may fall off or die at some point. This is very normal, but won’t necessarily happen. Don’t be alarmed if they do fall off though!

Where do you cut succulent stems?

If you are taking a full cutting to propagate your succulent, you will want to use sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut the stem, just above a leaf. You can take your cutting from the top of the succulent or from an offshoot.

Are you supposed to trim succulents?

Succulents generally do best if they are pruned at the beginning of their growing season, however, you can prune anytime. If you prune toward the end of the growing season you may not see new growth as quickly but it will happen slowly and pickup once they start actively growing again.

When should succulents be repotted?

A general rule of thumb is to repot succulents every two-years, at least as a way to provide fresh fertile soil. The best time to repot is at the beginning of a succulent’s growing season – this gives the plant the highest chance of survival.

What happens if you cut the top off a succulent?

You can continue to care for this plant the same as you were before making the cut. The leaves you left on the base plant originally may fall off or die at some point. This is very normal, but won’t necessarily happen. Don’t be alarmed if they do fall off though!

Can you cut a succulent stem and replant?

Simply cut the stems to the length you want, peel the bottom 1/3 of the leaves off and then let those stems heal off (this is where the cut end of the stem callus over) for 2 weeks to 4 months before planting. I plant them directly in the garden or in a pot with succulent and cactus planting mix.

Can you cut back overgrown succulents?

Succulents generally do best if they are pruned at the beginning of their growing season, however, you can prune anytime. If you prune toward the end of the growing season you may not see new growth as quickly but it will happen slowly and pickup once they start actively growing again.

Chloe Bennett
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Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.