If your succulent has a long stem, it is likely that it needs to be pruned or repotted. Pruning helps to encourage bushier plants and will mitigate the long, thin leggy stems. To do this, simply cut or snap off the stem near its base or near a branch point.
This will encourage the plant to put out more buds and re-grow a bushier plant.
If pruning is not an option, you may want to consider repotting the plant. Carefully remove your succulent from the current pot and determine if the roots are too tightly bunched. If so, use a sharp knife to remove some root material from the edges and some soil from the top before replanting it into a slightly larger container.
This will give the root system more room to spread and the stem will have a better chance of staying upright. Additionally, you could use a stake to help support the stem, although this is usually only necessary when the plant becomes too heavy for its stem.
Finally, keep in mind that is normal for a succulent to have a long stem as it matures, and there may be some species that do better with a long stem, like a echeveria. In this case, you can simply stake the stem or allow it to trail down the side of a pot.
Regardless, check the plant regularly to make sure it’s getting enough light, water, and nutrients needed to stay healthy and vibrant.
Can I cut long succulent stem?
Yes, you can cut a long succulent stem. To do this, you will need a sharp and clean garden knife or scissors. Try to make the cut at an angle, so that more of the stem is exposed to the air. This will help the stem to heal more effectively.
Additionally, cutting a long stem is necessary for certain succulent types in order for propagation, thus it is a great way to get more plants for a reasonable price. Once the stem is cut, use the same tool to remove any excess foliage or damaged leaves.
After that, allow the cut area to dry out and heal for a few days before planting in a potting soil. This will help the succulent to avoid rot, which can damage the plant if not taken into consideration.
Why is my succulent growing a long stem in the middle?
If your succulent is growing a long stem in the middle, it may be referred to as a ‘leggy’ succulent, which is a common condition among houseplants. The likely cause is that your succulent is not receiving enough light, or is receiving too much direct sunlight.
If your succulent is in a well-lit spot, but has shades or curtains blocking some of the light, it could be the culprit. When succulents don’t get enough light, they ‘stretch’ for the light source and this causes the long stem to form in the middle of the plant.
The best way to remedy this problem is to move your succulent to a brighter spot or to add natural or artificial light to the room. You can also buy a succulent-specific grow light. In addition, if you’re giving too much water to your succulent, it can also cause the stems to grow long and lanky since the roots are receiving too much moisture.
Water your succulent once a week and allow the soil to dry out completely before the next watering session.
What do you do with succulent shoots?
Succulent shoots, also known as cuttings or slips, can be used to propagate new succulents. To propagate a succulent, begin by cutting off a healthy stem or leaf from an existing plant. Disinfect the cutting tool with rubbing alcohol or a household cleaner, and make a clean cut just below the base of a mature leaf.
The cutting should be small enough to fit in a pot, and the leaf should have a few inches of the stem attached. Let the cutting dry out for 1-2 days to allow the cut end to callous over. Then, fill a pot with moist potting soil and place the succulent cutting on top of the soil.
Press down lightly on the cutting to make sure it is securely in place. Give the cutting plenty of sunshine, watering when the soil is dry and in a couple of weeks, you should start to see roots forming.
Eventually, it should start sprouting and growing new succulent growth.
Will a succulent stem grow back?
Yes, in many cases a succulent stem will grow back. This is because succulents are able to store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to survive harsh conditions such as drought and cold temperatures.
If the stem is broken off, the succulent will often be able to regenerate a new stem from the broken end. The succulent will continue to grow as long as there is adequate light, water, and nutrients in the soil.
Depending on the species, some succulents may regenerate from a single leaf, or from a stem cutting with several leaves. If the stem or leaves are removed, the succulent may take longer to regrow and may require a high level of care to succeed.
Regular waterings, proper amounts of light and some fertilizer may be needed to help the succulent heal and establish itself.
Can I save a rotting succulent?
Yes, you can! Saving a rotting succulent is possible, but it’s important to identify the cause first. If the leaves of your succulent are rotted, it likely indicates excessive watering. In this case, you should reduce indoor humidity and water your succulent much less frequently.
Be sure to only water when the soil is dry and water deeply to ensure adequate hydration. Rotting can also indicate root rot, which is typically caused by too much water and poor drainage. If this is the case, you should cut away any affected roots, then repot the plant with fresh potting soil and a better-draining container.
Pruning the affected leaves will also help the plant heal and regrow healthy foliage. Finally, if your succulent is wilting or has spots and discoloration, it might be suffering from fungal or bacterial diseases.
If this is the case, you should treat the plant with an appropriate fungicide or bactericide. With a little TLC and proper treatment, you can save a rotting succulent and help it go back to thriving.
How do you shorten succulents?
To shorten succulents, begin by trimming off the leaves with a sharp, clean pair of scissors or a pruning shear. When trimming, make sure to cut at an angle to remove the complete leaf. For thicker stems, use a clean, sharp knife to make sure you’re removing the complete leaf.
It’s important to note that succulents have a “scar” left from where the leaf once was —Make sure to leave the leaves with the longest stem to prevent the scar from being too noticeable. It’s important to avoid removing too many leaves at once, to avoid shock to the plant.
Once you’re finished cutting, reduce the amount of water you give the succulent until it regenerates and grows new stems and leaves. Make sure to keep the succulent out of direct sunlight during this process.
Over time, you may need to repeat the process in order to continually keep the succulents in order and to promote growth.
Can I cut the top off my succulent?
No, it is not recommended to cut the top off your succulent. Not only could the cutting cause damage to the stem and leaves of the succulent, but it could also put the entire plant at risk. Succulents rely on a full, healthy stem for photosynthesis, and without a full stem, a succulent will not be able to take in enough light and nutrients to sustain itself.
Additionally, the top of the succulent is responsible for most of the plant’s growth, as it contains the plant’s meristem, the actively growing area of the plant. Cutting the top off of the succulent can greatly limit the plant’s ability to grow, as well as its ability to absorb the proper sunlight and nutrients needed for full growth.
If you feel the succulent needs trimming, only cut off the dead, dried, or damaged leaves and stems, leaving the healthy sections intact.
When should succulents be pruned?
Succulents should be pruned when there is overcrowding or when the succulents are overgrown. Whenever the stems or leaves appear to be unshapely or uncared for, it is a good time to prune your succulents.
Pruning can also help to encourage healthy new growth. It is also a good idea to prune off any dead or dying leaves or stems as they can potentially spread diseases or rot to other parts of the succulent.
Additionally, when pruning it is a good idea to sterilize your tools as this will help to avoid passing any diseases to your plant. Succulents are able to be pruned year round but it is best to allot a specific time or season that best accommodates their growing season.
Pruning should generally be done in the late winter or early spring, after the coldest part of the season has passed.
Do succulents like to be root bound?
Succulents prefer to be slightly root bound, meaning their root system is slightly restricted within their pot. Being slightly root bound can actually be beneficial to succulents as it allows them to focus their energy on the top parts of their plant, like leaves, rather than on the excessive growth of their roots.
However, when succulents become too root bound and the roots cannot receive enough air, water, and nutrients, it could adversely affect their health. This is why it is important to re-pot succulents when they become too root bound, usually when you can see the roots growing out of the drainage holes of the pot.
If the roots are already visible, the succulent should be gently removed from the pot, with some of the soil shaken away from its roots, before transferring it to a pot with a slightly bigger size.
How do I make my succulents grow wider?
One surefire way to make your succulents grow wider is to re-pot them. It’s best to wait until your succulent starts to outgrow the pot it’s in before you repot; that way, the plant won’t become too stressed by the process.
When re-potting, use a new container with drainage holes that is 1–2 inches wider than the current one. Position the succulent in the new pot so the same side is facing up that was facing up in the old one, and fill the pot with succulent soil to the same level as before.
After re-potting, water only when the top inch of soil is dry, as succulents are prone to root rot when overwatered.
Regular fertilizing can also help succulents grow wider. Once every month during their growth period in the spring and summer, use a slow-release fertilizer specially designed for cacti and succulents.
Water the succulent after fertilizing, and make sure to use only the recommended amount of fertilizer to avoid burning the roots.
Finally, make sure your succulent receives the right amount of sun. Succulents need bright, indirect light for at least six hours each day. If you can, move the pot in and out of the sun depending on the time of day to make sure the plant is receiving the proper amount of light.
This will help your succulent grow wider and look healthier over time.
Is my succulent supposed to be tall?
Broadly speaking, the overall growth habit of succulents can range from tall, upright forms to low-lying, cascading plants. Some succulents can even form large clumps over time. Ultimately, it depends on the type of succulent you have.
Many popular varieties, such as aloe, agave, and echeveria can become large, even towering plants over time, though when first planted, these might only be a few inches tall. Others, such as hens and chicks and burros tail, tend to stay small and will form a low-lying mat over time.
If you aren’t sure what type of succulent you have, a quick online search should help you identify the species, and from there you can research the typical height and spread of the plant. But understanding your particular succulent can help you determine its likely growth habits.
Are succulents meant to grow tall?
No, succulents are not necessarily meant to grow tall – they actually come in an array of different shapes and sizes. Most succulents are generally short and their leaves tend to be thicker and fleshier than other plants, which helps them to conserve water and survive in drier climates.
Some succulents can grow tall if you allow them to, however most succulents will not typically reach that height and are meant to be small and compact. Depending on the variety, succulent plants can reach heights between a few inches, to several feet when given the right conditions.