9 Signs That You Need To Cut Your Succulent
Last Updated on July 6, 2023
Has your succulent been looking a little under the weather lately? If so, it may be time to give it a much-needed trim. Here are 9 signs that indicate your plant could use a little TLC in the form of a trim:
1. The leaves are yellowing or browning.
2. The stems are soft or mushy.
3. There is new growth that is leggy or etiolated.
4. The plant is overall sparse and scraggly-looking.
5. You see pests such as mealybugs, aphids, or scale on the plant.
6. The plant is growing in an unhealthy way, such as forking or leaning over excessively.
Stretched Out Succulents: The cause and fix
If you have a succulent that’s not looking so great, it might be time to give it a little trim. Here are 9 signs that your succulent needs a trim:
1. The leaves are yellow or brown.
This is a sign of stress and means that the plant isn’t getting enough light or water.
2. The stem is long and spindly. This happens when the plant isn’t getting enough light and causes the stem to stretch out in search of sunlight.
3. There are lots of dead leaves. Dead leaves can cause the plant to rot, so it’s best to remove them.
4. The plant is overcrowded.
If there are too many plants in one pot, they’ll compete for resources and won’t do well overall. It’s best to thin out your succulents if they’re looking crowded.
How to Trim And Transplant Succulents
Succulents are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. They are native to dry climates and can be found in many parts of the world. Succulents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Many people choose to grow succulents because they are easy to care for and require little water.
If you want to trim your succulent, it’s best to do so in the spring or summer. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut off any dead leaves or stems.
You can also remove any offsets (small plants that grow at the base of the main plant) if you wish. Be sure to sterilize your tools before trimming your succulent, as this will help prevent infection.
To transplant your succulent, start by preparing the new potting mix.
Succulents prefer well-draining soil, so consider adding some sand or gravel to the potting mix. Water the soil thoroughly before transplanting your succulent. Gently remove the plant from its current pot and place it in the new one.
If necessary, add more soil around the base of the plant until it is level with the rest of the potting mix.
How to Cut a Succulent Stem
Most succulents can be easily propagated from a single leaf or stem. In this post, we will go over how to properly cut a stem from a succulent so that it can be propagated.
First, make sure that you have the proper tools.
You will need a sharp knife or pair of scissors and something to catch the sap that will bleed from the cut (we like to use coffee filters). It is also helpful to have a small paintbrush on hand to help remove any dirt or debris from the cutting site.
Next, choose a healthy looking stem that is at least 2-3 inches long.
Cut the stem at an angle just below a leaf node (the point where leaves branch off of the stem). If your succulent has thicker stems, you may need to make a horizontal cut as well so that the cutting will have enough surface area to root properly.
Now it’s time to prepare your cutting for propagation.
Dip the cut end of the stem into some rooting hormone powder or gel (this step is optional but will help speed up growth). Then, place your cutting in a well-draining potting mix and water lightly. Be sure not to overwater – succulents are very susceptible to rot!
Place your pot in an area with bright indirect light and wait for new growth to appear. This can take anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on the type of succulent. Once new growth appears, congratulations – you’ve successfully propagated a new plant!
How to Graft Succulents
Grafting is a great way to propagate succulents and create new plants with interesting colors and patterns. It’s also a handy way to rescue a damaged plant that can no longer grow on its own. If you’re interested in learning how to graft succulents, read on for step-by-step instructions!
Start by selecting a healthy donor plant and a well-draining potting mix. Cut off a stem from the donor plant that includes at least 2 nodes (the raised bumps where leaves are attached). Make a clean, diagonal cut through the stem with a sharp knife or razor blade.
Next, prepare the rootstock (the plant that will serve as the base of your new succulent) by removing any leaves from the bottom half of the stem. Make another clean, diagonal cut on the rootstock, matching up the cuts made on the donor plant.
Now it’s time to join the two plants together!
Place the cut surfaces of both plants together so that they fit snugly against each other. Wrap them tightly with grafting tape or nylon stocking material, making sure there are no gaps between the two stems.
Water your newly grafted succulent sparingly until it has had a chance to recover from surgery and start growing new roots.
Once it has established itself, treat it like any other succulent in your collection!
Cut off Top of Succulent
Looking to add a bit of variety to your succulent collection? Or maybe you have a plant that’s getting too leggy and you want to encourage it to branch out. Whatever the reason, pruning your succulents can be a great way to improve their appearance and health.
Here’s a quick guide on how to cut off the top of a succulent.
Start by cleaning your cutting tool with rubbing alcohol or bleach. This will help prevent the spread of disease from one plant to another.
Then, take a look at your plant and decide where you want to make the cut. It’s best to make cuts just above where the leaves meet the stem, as this is where new growth will emerge.
Make sure your cutting tool is sharp enough so that you can get a clean cut without crushing the stem.
Once you’ve made your cut, allow the wound to dry for 24 hours before replanting or potting up your succulent. This will give it time to callous over and prevent rot from setting in.
And that’s all there is to it!
With just a little bit of care, you can keep your succulents looking their best.
Can You Root a Succulent in Water
Succulents are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. They can grow in dry or wet conditions and are native to many parts of the world. Many people think that succulents need very little care, but they actually require more attention than most plants.
One important thing to remember when caring for succulents is that they should never be left sitting in water. If you give your succulent too much water, the plant will rot and die.
If you’re interested in planting succulents, there are a few things you should know about rooting them in water.
First, it’s important to use clean water that doesn’t have any chlorine or other chemicals in it. Distilled or reverse osmosis water is best. Second, only use containers that have drainage holes in the bottom so the roots don’t sit in water.
And finally, be sure to change the water every week to prevent rotting.
If you follow these instructions, you can successfully root a succulent in water. Just keep in mind that it’s best to transplant the rooted plant into soil as soon as possible so it can get the nutrients it needs to thrive long-term.
Credit: www.everydayhealth.com
When Should I Cut My Succulents?
If your succulent is starting to look a bit leggy, it might be time to give it a trim. But how do you know when and how to cut succulents without harming them? Keep reading to find out!
Most succulents can be trimmed at any time of year, but if you want your plant to produce more offsets (aka baby succulents), late winter or early spring is the best time to do it. For most other types of succulents, any time of year is fine for trimming.
When cutting back your succulent, make sure to use sharp, clean scissors or a knife.
And take care not to damage the plant’s stem or leaves. If possible, try to make cuts at an angle so that water will run off rather than pooling on top of the plant.
If your plant is looking really overgrown, you can cut it back quite drastically.
Just be sure not to remove more than about one-third of the plant’s overall size. And if you’re only removing a few leaves or stems here and there, be careful not too overdue it – otherwise you could end up with an uneven-looking plant.
So when should YOU cut YOUR succulents?
It really depends on what type of plants you have and what your goals are. But in general, anytime your plants start looking a bit leggy or overgrown, it’s probably time for a trim!
What Do Unhealthy Succulents Look Like?
If you’re worried that your succulent is unhealthy, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. Unhealthy succulents tend to have yellow or discolored leaves, mushy or rotting stems, and a generally wilted appearance. If your plant is displaying any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action!
To revive an unhealthy succulent, start by giving it a thorough watering. Be sure to water all the way through the soil until it starts to drip out of the drainage holes. Let the plant drain for a few minutes before returning it to its pot or tray.
Watering deeply like this will help rehydrate the roots and stem tissue.
Next, check your succulent’s light requirements and make sure it’s getting enough sunlight. Succulents need bright light in order to thrive, so if yours is looking pale or etiolated (stretched out), it may be lacking in sunlight.
Move your plant to a brighter spot and see if that makes a difference.
Finally, give your succulent some time to recover. With proper care, most unhealthy plants will eventually bounce back – but it can take a little while!
How Do You Tell If Succulent is Stressed?
If you notice that your succulent is starting to wilt, its leaves are beginning to yellow or brown, or it’s otherwise not looking as healthy as it once did, it may be stressed. There are a number of reasons why succulents can become stressed, including too much sun, too little water, or pests.
If you think your succulent is stressed, the first step is to try to identify the cause.
If it’s getting too much sun, move it to a shadier spot. If it’s not getting enough water, water it more frequently. And if you see pests on your plant, remove them and treat the plant with an appropriate pesticide.
Once you’ve addressed the cause of stress, give your plant some time to recover. With proper care, most succulents will bounce back quickly from periods of stress.
What is My Succulent Telling Me?
If your succulent is looking a little under the weather, it may be trying to tell you something. Here are a few things to look for:
1. Is your succulent wilting?
This could be a sign that it’s not getting enough water. Make sure to check the soil before watering and only give your plant enough water to keep the soil moist – too much water can actually kill your succulent!
2. Are the leaves of your plant turning yellow or brown?
This could indicate that it’s getting too much sun. Move your plant to a shadier spot and see if that helps.
3. Is your succulent growing very slowly?
This could mean that it’s not getting enough nutrients. Try giving your plant some organic fertilizer and see if that makes a difference.
4. If you notice any of these problems, take action quickly!
Succulents are resilient plants, but they can only withstand so much stress before they start to die off. By paying attention to what your plant is telling you, you can keep it healthy and happy for years to come.
Conclusion
If your succulent is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time to give it a trim. Here are 9 signs that indicate your plant could use a trim:
1. The leaves are starting to yellow or brown.
2. The plant is stretching out and getting leggy.
3. There are bare stems with no leaves.
4. The flowers are faded and the plant isn’t blooming anymore.
5. There are dead leaves or stems that need to be removed.
