Many people choose to cultivate their collection in this way since doing so really speeds up the process and increases the likelihood of success compared to growing succulents in soil. Therefore, this process is unquestionably worthwhile to try if you’re someone who likes to try new things all the time or have tried doing so repeatedly but without success.
Succulents—can they only grow in water?
Due of their hardiness, succulents are beautiful to look at and easy to maintain. They typically need very little water and care. Succulents also grow well in soils and environments that most other plants wouldn’t even consider settling into. No weeding is necessary.
But what if we give you a surprise? Did you know that succulents can grow totally in water? Yep. Ironically, it is possible to teach plants to grow hydroponically that are the quickest to destroy by overwatering. Here, we’ll explain how. though first.
How long can succulents be grown in water?
Succulents can be grown in water, but there are benefits and drawbacks. Before determining whether or not to give it a try, you must be informed of them.
They Grow Faster
Succulents have a rapid rate of growth. While a new plant can be developed in water within days, it can take weeks or months for soil-grown plants to begin developing roots.
Growing succulents in water is the best option if you’re impatient and want a healthy plant right away.
They Can’t Dry Out
If a succulent plant in soil doesn’t get enough water when it needs it, it could perish. In response, a succulent cultivated in water will modify its growth patterns.
There Is No Risk of Overwatering
Succulent plants require only infrequent irrigation and love dry conditions, making them a low-maintenance option (which helps prevent rot).
However, another advantage of growing them in water is that it eliminates the possibility of overwatering, which is a common error made while caring for these plants by inexperienced gardeners.
Water Propagation Is Faster
Before you can harvest or prune a succulent grown in dirt without risking destroying the plant’s roots, it may take two to three years.
They Will Need Less Care and Attention
Succulents will require less care and attention if you grow them in water as opposed to soil, which is one of the main benefits.
This can be a wonderful option if you don’t have a green thumb if you want plants but don’t want to put in a lot of work.
They Don’t Last Long in Water
The lifespan of succulent plants is decreased when they are buried underwater. It’s advisable to only immerse them for around six months before reassessing.
They Are Prone to Root Rot
They are vulnerable to root rot because their soil lacks helpful microorganisms that can convert nutrients into forms that plants can use.
This indicates that if your succulents are growing in water, they may require periodic repotting as well as fertilizer additions over the course of their lifespan.
Not Recommended for Outdoors
You can employ these methods if your objective is to cultivate succulents indoors solely for decorative purposes (and not outside).
But it would be preferable to employ more conventional techniques if your goal was to grow succulents outside. It is best to put them in drainage-friendly containers with cactus-potting mix.
Can Lead To Stunted Growth
These varieties of succulents may suffer more than those cultivated immersed or rooted in soil because growing them in water does not supply enough oxygen.
They Don’t Have Enough Nutrients
Because they lack soil to assist them collect nutrients, succulents that grow in water do not absorb as many of those nutrients.
Adding fertilizer before planting and then every few weeks after that, depending on how quickly your plant grows, is the best approach to ensure enough nutrients are there.
Your plant may need some time to adapt as well. Regularly check for signs of stress, such as drooping leaves or wilting stems, and adjust as necessary.
Succulents can they grow without soil in water?
Because they can retain water in their leaves, succulents can grow without soil. As a result, they may go for extended periods of time without having access to surface moisture.
But in order to do so, they need to have access to a sizable quantity of water and nutrients from the environment.
Succulents can typically grow in rocks without soil or water. The goal is to have a rock that makes it simple for water and nutrients to absorb.
The inability to continuously providing succulents with what they require when they are grown in rocks without soil is one potential drawback.
There are several advantages to soil, such as the provision of air spaces that can absorb excess moisture or dryness more effectively than would be possible with merely rocks.
Because there are no open spots on top where insects could enter and destroy this plant’s root structure, it also safeguards against pests and illnesses.
Another problem with growing succulents in rocks devoid of soil is that they might not be able to resist drastic changes in weather.
When there are no other plants nearby to provide shade, this plant has nothing to shield it from environmental variables like wind or water that could blow sand into its leaves.
We advise staying with potting soil unless you are certain of the environment your succulent will thrive in.
It offers all the advantages required for this kind of plant, which cannot be achieved by just utilizing rocks as a substitute.
How are succulents grown in water?
The end of a succulent grown in water should float just above the surface rather than actually entering the water. Pick a vase, jar, or other holding device for the plant. To ensure sure the stem is not in contact with the water, it is also helpful to be able to see through the container. Wait for roots to form by setting the container in a well-lit location. It can take 10 days to a few weeks to complete.
water with hydrogen peroxide added. This may discourage pests that are drawn to wetness, like fungus gnats. It gives the air in the
How are aquatic succulents cared for?
Here is how to water succulents now that you are aware of the variables that influence how frequently you should water them. Yes, there are right and incorrect ways to do things. Native to the desert, succulents receive little rain in their natural settings, but when it does, it pours. Desert downpours resemble monsoons because sheets of water fall from the sky. When you water your succulent, soak it completely to simulate desert rain. Slowly pour water over it, continuing to do so until the drain hole at the bottom is completely filled. Succulents benefit more from irregular, cautious waterings that only moisten the top inch or two of the soil in the pot than they do from periodic, long, deep drinks that soak the soil to the bottom of the pot.
So when the earth around your succulent plants is completely dry, water it. Re-saturate the soil after allowing it to totally dry out. Dried up. Drench. Dried up. Drench. You can have succulents that are perfectly watered if you follow that pattern.
Is it better to grow succulents in soil or water for reproduction?
Using water as a medium to root succulent cuttings is known as water propagation. This may contradict popular perceptions of succulents. The general consensus is that succulent plants dislike sitting in water and that doing so encourages root rot.
Therefore, water propagation may go against what we have learned to be true about nurturing and propagating succulents. However, lately I seem to be hearing more and more about water propagation.
According on what I have heard and read, some people believe water propagation to be simpler than more “standard” techniques like roots on dry medium or soil.
I’ve heard a lot of success tales from folks who used water propagation after trying succulent propagation unsuccessfully for a long time. In fact, some people solely reproduce succulent cuttings using water because they see quicker outcomes and more overall success.
According to one notion I’ve heard, succulent cuttings don’t rot in water since water isn’t the main source of rot. When succulent plants are left in moist soil, they are exposed to fungi and other pathogens that can cause illnesses and root rot in the plant. The plants do not decay when propagating in water because they are not exposed to the pathogens that are often found in the soil media.
The fact that the roots generated in water are different from those required for a plant to thrive in soil is another worry people have regarding water propagation. They need to create new roots that are better suited for thriving in soil after they are planted. Others who propagate in water, however, claim that the plants flourish when transferred from water to soil.
As someone who has had excellent success with “soil propagation,” I decided to conduct an experiment to find out how water propagates. To see what might happen, I tried soaking three stem cuttings in water. I picked two distinct plants that I had no trouble establishing in soil. I reasoned that picking a plant that is simple to grow would increase my chances of success. I used stem cuttings from the aeonium (blushing beauty) and the jade (crassula ovata) plants.
The water was placed in three Mason jars, which I covered with clear plastic and punctured in the middle of. I used drinking water that has been treated. Some individuals drink simple tap water. Others have reportedly used distilled water. I didn’t enrich the water with any nutrients. This is not required, based on what I’ve read.
The three stem cuttings were then placed on the jar’s rim with their tips resting directly on the water. When rooting in water, there are two main approaches that people take. One technique is to place the cuts’ end just above the water’s surface. The reason for this is because the cuttings will start looking for moisture and roots. Another approach is to actually let the cuts’ ends touch the water. Although both procedures appear to be effective, I opted for the second one.
I placed the cuttings in a well-lit spot and made an effort to ignore them for a few weeks. The cuts still look the same as I had left them when we returned from a family holiday two weeks later. No roots developed. I just left them alone and kind of forgot about them because the water didn’t seem to need to be refreshed or changed.
I was surprised to notice that the two jade cuttings had a lot of pink roots after another two weeks (a total of roughly four weeks).
Six weeks after the experiment’s start, the jade plants continued to grow more roots while the aeonium remained unchanged.
I took the roots cuttings out of the water and placed them on paper to dry for approximately a day after deciding that it was time to transplant them into soil after around 6 weeks. All three stem cuttings appeared healthy and were not rotting.
The next test will be to evaluate how these cuttings fare in soil after spending five weeks in water and developing water roots. After five weeks, the aeonium cutting hardly developed any roots, but I will still plant it in soil. Since I have grown several aeonium cuttings in soil before, I am almost convinced that this will flourish once planted.
I made a cactus mix and perlite mixture and put the potting mix in little pots. After that, the stem cuttings were placed inside the pot.
The same care is given to these potted cuttings as I do to my other stem cuttings. Keep them in a spot with plenty of light, but shield them from the hot afternoon heat or direct sunlight.
Increases in the quantity and quality of sunlight can be made once these plants are well-established and rooted.
Move to a more shady area if you see that they are getting sunburned. The plants can be moved around to observe where they thrive. After around three weeks, you can pull the stem out to see if the cuttings have rooted. The plant has rooted if it resists being pulled out of the ground and is challenging to do so.
Update:
Please click on to see how these plants are doing four months later “Click here to see updates and photographs for Does Water Propagation Work for Succulents?
A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Procreate in Water is Provided Below:
acquire a cutting. Snip a piece of a succulent plant’s stem. Leggy plants can be a fantastic source of stem cuttings. Leave the stem naked for at least two inches.
OR You can propagate plants by using leaves in place of a stem cutting, or by using both stems and leaves.
Pick healthy leafy plants. A healthy leaf is a better place to start if you want to succeed. Select leaves that are not ripped, torn, damaged, or irregularly shaped. Instead of dried and flat leaves, search for full, plump leaves.
Remove the leaves off the stem gently. Your thumb and forefinger should be used to carefully twist the leaves from the stem. Some leaves are loosely linked to the stem while others are securely attached.
To remove the entire leaf, gently wriggle it back and forth. The entire leaf, including the base where it connects to the stem, is what you desire. The leaf won’t survive if the base does not separate or if it sustains harm.
Launder the cuttings. Till the cut end has calloused or dried, let the cutting air dry for a few days.
Submerge in water. Select the ideal-sized cup for the clippings, then fill it with water. Place the cutting so that the stem or leaf’s tip is slightly visible above the water’s surface.
Another method is to let the cutting to touch the water at the end. From what I’ve heard, both approaches appear to be effective. (I chose to do the latter, where the cuts’ end was in the water.)
Plant the cuttings that have roots. After the cuttings have developed roots, let them dry for a few days. The roots cuttings can be planted in an appropriate potting mix once they have dried out.
occasionally use water. Compared to adult plants, baby plants require a bit more moisture. Spray the soil with a spray bottle sparingly once every few days or whenever it seems dry. Reduce watering to once a week after the plant has a stronger root system.
Keep away from the sun’s rays. When first planted in their own pot, shield young plants from direct sunshine to avoid sun damage. As a plant matures, gradually increase sunshine and sun exposure in accordance with the needs of the plant.
Some people opt to leave the rooted cuttings submerged in water rather than planting them as described in step 7 of the process. In water, the cuttings will perpetually live and thrive. Every few weeks or as needed, replace the water and add fresh, clean water.
Some individuals use hydroponics to grow succulents in water. They enjoy the way it seems and are very successful with them. They can be left with lots of light either inside or outside.
My opinions on the spread of water:
I don’t see the necessity to pursue water propagation since I have success with “soil” propagation. It does appear more simple, and I can understand why it could be appealing to others. Just submerge the plants or set them directly over water, then wait for the roots to form.
The aeonium cutting was the only plant that didn’t actually produce any roots at all when I attempted this procedure; it took approximately 4-5 weeks for roots to start to appear. Given that I only utilized stem cuttings and attempted two distinct plant species, I might have different outcomes with leaf cuttings or with other plant species. Additionally, the stem cuttings I left in water for five weeks were OK and didn’t rot or die.
Naturally, depending on the surroundings, the outcomes would definitely vary for others. Depending on the temperature, the type of plant, etc., some people have more success than others when it comes to soil propagation. I most certainly wouldn’t completely reject this approach and would encourage others to give it a shot, even if it’s only for fun or for those who haven’t had success with the “dry” approach.
According to what I have read and heard, many people prefer this technique because it is quicker and they have more success with it than with soil propagation. Therefore, this is definitely worth a shot if you want to experiment and try something new or if you’ve tried propagating repeatedly but without success. Please select “To learn about further succulent propagation techniques, read 4 Simple Ways to Propagate Succulents.
About
You’ve come to the correct location if, like me, you enjoy succulents. This website is a repository for the succulent-growing knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years and am still learning. Although I am by no means an expert on succulents and cacti, this website was created as a result of years of hard work, love, and many mistakes and learning opportunities.