Propagation of succulents through leaf cuttings is effective for most succulent species. During this process, small offsets emerge from the base of the leaves and ultimately develop into fully formed plants. Typically, within a month, you can expect to see new succulents starting to emerge, which makes the process quite magical and exciting.

However, many succulent enthusiasts have raised concerns about seeing numerous roots growing from the bottom of their leaves without any small succulents forming. This article aims to address these inquiries thoroughly. It will provide a comprehensive analysis of why succulent leaves may generate roots while failing to produce buds and guide how to handle this situation effectively.

Why do succulent leaves grow roots but no buds? How to Fix it?

1. Inappropriate Soil Composition

The leaf propagation of succulent plants necessitates a soil mix that is loose, breathable, and possesses excellent drainage properties. An excessive proportion of granular materials within the soil may adversely affect the development of small buds on the leaves.

Solution: Before starting leaf propagation, it is essential to maintain a soil-to-granular material ratio of 8:2. Alternatively, mixing a layer of vermiculite into the top layer of the soil may also be beneficial. In cases where propagation has already commenced, you can improve the soil by mixing coconut coir, vermiculite, and perlite in a 2:1:1 ratio. Gently spread this mixture around the root system of the leaves to cover the growing roots. If the growth point remains undamaged, small buds should begin to appear in about a week.

2. Insufficient light

Succulent leaves require adequate bright or filtered sunlight to produce small buds. In conditions of insufficient illumination, the development of these buds becomes notably hindered.

Solution: Relocate the succulent leaves to a well-lit area that avoids excessive direct sunlight. Additionally, I highly recommend you cover the roots with a mixture of coco coir, vermiculite, and perlite. Once the light is supplemented, the small buds will grow more quickly.

3. Improper Water Management

Leaf propagation requires specific moisture levels in the soil mix. Both insufficient and excessive moisture can hinder the germination of buds.

Solution: If the propagation container is a tray or lacks a drainage hole, using a spray bottle to mist the soil and grow points is the best method. Spraying water allows for easier soil moisture control than using a long-mouthed watering can. It is recommended that the soil be sprayed every morning during leaf propagation.

Conversely, if the container has a drainage hole, you can use a watering can for deeper watering. The frequency of watering will depend on the container's depth. Water deeply for containers deeper than 15 cm every 2-3 days. If the container is shallower than 15 cm, watering once every 1-2 days will suffice.

4. High Water Content in Leaves

When the water content in succulent leaves is too high and they are not adequately dried, they can quickly grow roots without producing buds during propagation.

Solution: after removing the leaves, I recommend placing them in a cool and well-ventilated area for proper drying for about 4-7 days. After drying, lay the leaves on the soil's surface to promote easier germination.

If your succulent leaves have developed a lot of aerial roots, don't worry. You can gently twist off these useless roots with your fingers or cut them off with clean scissors. (Note: Be sure to wash your hands or clean your scissors before doing this.) Then, place the leaves in a cool, ventilated spot to dry for one to two days before propagating them back into the soil.

This method has two benefits:

a. It helps dry the wounds on the roots to prevent bacterial infection during propagation, which can lead to leaf rot.

b. It reduces the water content in the leaves, making it less likely for aerial roots to develop again, thus promoting easier germination.

Generally, new buds can appear within 7 days. Some succulent enthusiasts may be eager to propagate the leaves immediately after cutting off the roots. However, if they do so too soon, the leaves may grow aerial roots again within a few days. This cycle can repeat, with the leaves continuing to produce roots but failing to develop buds. Over time, this can diminish the leaves' vitality or damage the growth points, leading to unsuccessful propagation.

5. The growth point is destroyed

The integrity of the growth point is critical for plant development. During procedures such as leaf removal or propagation, the growth point of the leaves may become damaged due to various factors. Consequently, any roots that develop are often ineffective aerial roots. In this situation, no matter what measures are taken, the affected leaves will not produce new buds.

However, I also met instances where leaves were cut in half and small buds sprouted from the cut, but this phenomenon is limited to certain varieties, such as Panda plants and Crassula jade plants. For most succulents, the growth point located at the base of the leaves is crucial for developing new seedlings. Once this growth point is damaged, obtaining new leaves and starting a new round is best.

Conclusion

The five reasons explain why succulent leaves may develop roots but fail to produce new buds. It is essential to recognize that the issue often arises from multiple factors rather than just one. Therefore, when propagating succulent leaves, it's crucial to monitor the conditions carefully and apply an elimination approach to ensure the leaves are in a favorable growth environment. This will significantly enhance the speed at which the leaves develop small buds and increase the likelihood of successful propagation.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section if you found this article helpful. We would also appreciate your generous sharing of this information. Wishing you a pleasant experience with succulent propagation!

You may wonder: The Beginner's Guide: How to Successfully Propagate Succulent from Leaves.