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

1. 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.
2. Using the hand held pruners, cut the succulent stalk off at the top of the dirt.
3. Set the succulent to the side.
4. Next, if you are planning to re-use the same dirt, remove the stalk piece that is still in the dirt.
5. Discard this piece in the trash or compost bin as this will not grow a new succulent.
6. If you are using fresh dirt, just dump the whole stalk and dirt into the trash or compost pile.
7. Add fresh dirt to your pot.
8. If your main succulent has developed new baby succulents around the stalk, you will need to trim these off.
9. 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.
10. Set the baby succulents to the side for the moment.
11. 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.
12. Next, make sure that the succulent is now flush with the top of the soil.
13. 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.
14. Your succulents should establish roots within 10- 14 days.

Photos of the Re-Potting Process

Tips and Tricks

1. 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.
2. 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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