Re-potting a succulent is so easy. There is no need to throw them away and start from scratch.
My method will give you refreshed succulents in no time at all, even if your plants become leggy and tall.
It breaks my heart when I see people throw away succulents that can easily be given a new lease on life.
As succulents grow, they naturally get taller and end up exposing the long stem they have developed.
This long thick stem is called meristem tissue.
This tissue will become anything the plants needs – roots, another stem, new succulent off-shoots.
Although this long stem is not attractive, it is completely normal and has so much potential.
Not to mention, anybody, even a novice gardener, can refresh their succulent containers.
Supplies Needed
Clean hand held pruners
Clean snips
Fresh potting soil for succulents
Water
container (either the one it was already in or a new one)
Steps to Re-pot the Succulent
- First, and most importantly, the tools you use need to be clean. I always wipe down my pruners and snips with alcohol before using them on any plant material so that I don’t inadvertently spread disease.
- Using the hand held pruners, cut the succulent stalk off at the top of the dirt.
- Set the succulent to the side.
- Next, if you are planning to re-use the same dirt, remove the stalk piece that is still in the dirt.
- Discard this piece in the trash or compost bin as this will not grow a new succulent.
- If you are using fresh dirt, just dump the whole stalk and dirt into the trash or compost pile.
- Add fresh dirt to your pot.
- If your main succulent has developed new baby succulents around the stalk, you will need to trim these off.
- Using a pair of snips, trim the babies from the main “mama” plant. You have now propagated your very own new succulents without spending a dime.
- Set the baby succulents to the side for the moment.
- Create a small hole in the container you are using, and place the mama plant’s stalk into the hole. You may need to trim the stalk by another inch or so before placing it in the hole.
- Next, make sure that the succulent is now flush with the top of the soil.
- Repeat this process with the baby succulents. You can add these to the same container as the mama succulent or place them in a new container.
- Your succulents should establish roots within 10- 14 days.
Photos of the Re-Potting Process










Tips and Tricks
- If your container has a drainage hole, water the newly planted succulent and allow it to drain. Do not water again until the soil of the newly planted succulent is completely dried out. It is extremely important not to over water. Overwatering your succulent will cause root rot.
- If your container does not have a drainage hole, just give the succulent a few drops of water at the base. Do not drench the succulent as the water will have no place to go and this will cause root rot.
VOILÁ! You have just given your succulents a new lease on life.
You can do this process with ANY succulent container you own. Every year, I refresh the “W” when the plants get so happy they grow out of the container. I do not buy new succulents to replace them. I simply trim and re-pot them back into the “W”.
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Melba
May 21, 2021 6:26 pmI just love your succulent post! I agree that so many succulents are discarded and you can get so many new ones from one plant. And your linear succulent arrangement is to die for!!! IN LOVE!!!!
Paula@SweetPea
May 23, 2021 12:56 pmThank you so much for these tips! I have Hen and Chicks that desperately need to be repotted. I have been procrastinating doing it because I wasn’t sure how. Now I know!
Meriah
May 24, 2021 12:50 pmI really wish I had a green thumb! Loved seeing the process and the succulent makes such great decor!
Marie
May 24, 2021 7:11 pmI try to revive all plants. Sometimes it works, and sometimes not lol. But it is definitely worth tryin!
Kim
May 24, 2021 7:48 pmExcellent! Great tips. I have a brown thumb and need all the help I can get when it comes to gardening…even with succulents. I just got a few for my birthday and I’m sure I will be referring to this post soon!
Jennifer Williams
May 28, 2021 2:04 pmKeep trying. You will eventually get the hang of it and have that green thumb!
Christin
May 25, 2021 1:34 pmWho knew? Very cool!
Jennifer Williams
May 28, 2021 2:04 pmThanks!
Carol Karl
May 27, 2021 8:46 pmThanks for sharing this. So much good information explained in a really easy to follow way.
Jennifer Williams
May 28, 2021 2:04 pmGreat to hear Carol!
Morgan Nelson
June 1, 2021 1:29 pmThese are such good tips! I have some succulents that need to be repotted!