Pruning Succulent Plants

To Rejuvenate, Propagate and Shape

Succulent plants, like any other plant, sometimes outgrow their space and require pruning or trimming. Any diseased part of a succulent plant should be removed, even though in most cases they have the ability to compartmentalize the damage so it doesn't spread.

There are no special techniques for pruning succulent plants, other than using sharp tools to avoid any infection.

I usually sterilize the pruners between plants with isopropyl alcohol.

This is especially important when cutting back any diseased plants, so you don't spread the infection.

I sometimes use a string trimmer to cut back the dead flower heads of low growing creeping Sedum or stonecrop; works like a charm, but in most cases sharp scissors, pruners or a razor blade are best for more precise work.

Some of my favorite succulents are many of the beautiful Echeveria, Graptopetalum and Crassula, which benefit from the removal of long leggy growth by creating a bushier and more compact plant. Special pruning techniques are needed to make a Crassula bonsai.

There are several reasons why you should prune your collection of succulent plants:

• When they are leggy from not enough light exposure (keep them in a warm bright area for best growth);

• Or when you want to propagate them.

How to Propagate Succulents; Buy the Succulent Plant Propagation E-Book; Click on the picture:

Many people dislike the look of a succulent plant that has a long corky stem with a ‘palm tree’ effect, the rosette of the plant forming a tuft on the top. To make a new plant with the low growing rosette form that most collectors treasure, you must behead or decapitate your succulent plant.

It sounds harsh, I know, but you have to be cruel to be kind – and in this case, the plant will respond with a miracle – more baby plants that you can propagate lower down on the stem – so don’t discard it. Look at the picture and follow the instructions below for exactly how to do it:

Clip the stems of long overgrown succulents in the places indicated by the red lines: a) These top rosettes will root quickly and give you many nicely shaped new plants for almost instant gratification - plant them right into a succulent planter for immediate impact. b) The long sprawly stems are useful too - so don't be too hasty to throw them away. Stick them (right side up of course) into some potting soil, and they'll root and send up new growth.

c) Now you're left with a pot of dead sticks - but are they really dead? You'll be amazed at the life left in these seemingly used up dregs. Water carefully (not too much) until they show signs of new growth, then fertilize them, and stand back!

Pruning succulent plants is not difficult – try not to bruise the leaves as you behead your plant – some of my favorite propagation tools that are also used for pruning are a pair of Japanese bonsai scissors or a scalpel, as they can reach in without damaging the leaves.

The pieces you cut off in the process can be used for vegetative propagation such as cuttings.

There is one crucial point when you're beheading the rosettes of succulent plants to propagate: the end of the cut beheaded part must be allowed to callous or dry to be able to form roots.

I usually either let the cutting dry out, sometimes for a long time, after which it happily forms lots of thread like pink roots.

Otherwise, I put them in a communal flat with dry Sunshine Mix #4 or other well drained succulent soil. Simply place them on top of the soil, and the roots will find their own way down.

It sounds counter intuitive, as all cuttings have to have water - don’t they?

Succulent plants are the exception, and will root perfectly well without excess water. After a couple of days to several weeks you can water – make sure your drench thoroughly, and then allow to dry out again. Pruning succulent plants to take cuttings is only one reason to prune – the other is to make them break new shoots from lower down on the stem by removing the top bud which secretes auxins.

Pruning off the top will allow the other buds to grow – sometimes with impressive exuberance. This has the effect of making the plant bushier, as each lower bud grows to form a new smaller shoot. You can direct the growth by cutting just above a bud facing the right direction.

So go ahead, prune your succulents and don’t be afraid – most succulent plants are very forgiving and you can always propagate the pieces you cut off to make many more beautiful succulent plants.

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