When there isn’t enough water, succulents can store water in the thick leaves and stems of their leaves. They come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and textures, and they don’t need a lot of attention. Propagating succulents is a fun way to enjoy their unique beauty and succulent care routines.
These plants can put a dent in your wallet because they can be very succulent to buy. One way to grow Succulents is propagating in water. An easy way to get more of the people you love is to use this method.
Why Succulent Cuttings Don’t Rot in Water
According to one explanation, the reason succulent cuttings do not rot in water is because water is not the principal source of rot. Succulent plants that sit in wet soil are exposed to fungi and pathogens in the soil, which cause root rot by introducing illnesses to the plant. When plants are propagated in water, they are not exposed to the pathogens that are typically present in the soil medium, hence they do not rot.
Is it possible for succulents to grow in water?
The type of succulent you’re trying to root will determine how effective you are at propagating it in water. For water roots, try aeoniums, echeverias, crassulas, and sempervivums. To effectively grow succulents in water, follow the procedures below:
Keep away chlorinated water
Use distilled, purified, spring, borewell, well, RO, or rainfall for rooting succulents in water. If you’re using tap water, let it rest for at least 24 to 48 hours to allow the contaminants and salts to settle. Fluoride, which flows through the plant in the water and settles on the leaf edges, is equally harmful to your leaf cuttings. Brown leaf margins result as a result of this.
Allow Callus to Form on the Cut Ends

Choose healthy leaves or stems and let them recover for two days in a hot climate and 4-5 days in a cold climate. This method avoids the cuttings from absorbing too much water and rot.
Use Vases or Transparent Jars
Use clear, transparent jars and glasses to propagate succulents in water, as this will allow you to keep an eye on the water level and root growth. Also, just the bottom-most section of the succulents should be submerged in the water.
Expose them to direct sunlight
Place the cuttings in a well-lit area. It would be appropriate to place it on your windowsill or on a shaded porch.
Important Things When Growing Succulents in Water
- Allow a 2-4 inch slice of a healthy leaf or stem to recover for a few days.
- For this, a transparent container will suffice.
- Wait for the container to form roots in a bright, but not direct sunlight, location.
- Transplant cuttings to a container filled with succulent or cactus mix after the roots have emerged.
You can keep growing the rooted cuttings in water instead of transferring them into potting soil. Changing the water every few days is all that’s required. Cuttings can also be planted directly in the soil, either outdoors or inside.
Note: If you root a succulent in water and then transplant it to potting soil, it will take some time for the plant to adjust to the new environment.