Every single cactus species out there produces its own little “babies,” which is awesome news for us plant lovers because it means you can expand your collection for free! However, you can’t just chop and drop them into the dirt. To make sure your offsets, leaf cuttings, or stem cuttings actually take root, you’ll need to do a little prep work. This guide will walk you through exactly how to take cactus cuttings and get them planted the right way.
Springtime: The Best Time to Take Cuttings
If you’re looking to propagate your cacti, timing is everything. You’ll want to aim for the window between March and June. Planting your cutting during these months gives it plenty of time to develop a strong root system before it settles in for its winter dormancy period.
Prepping Your Cuttings for Success
Before you start cutting, grab a sharp knife and wipe the blade down with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. This kills off any germs that could cause rot. When you’re ready to make the move, use one smooth, pulling motion to get a clean cut.
If you’re taking a “head” or tip cutting, wait until it’s at least 4 inches (10 cm) long. For leaf cuttings, you always want to take the full, original size of the leaf. And here’s a pro tip for those round, ball-shaped offsets: they should always be taller than they are wide before you separate them from the mama plant.
How to Remove Cactus Cuttings: Step-by-Step
- Pick a spot for your cut as close to the base of the shoot as possible. This minimizes the “wound” area on the plant tissue.
- Trim the base of the cutting into a slight conical shape. This helps the roots grow out from the central cylinder more effectively.
- Place the cutting in a pot filled with dry perlite for one to two weeks. This allows the cut end to “callous” over and dry out completely.
- If the cutting is “bleeding” a lot of sap, dip a paper towel in hot water and gently dab the wound on both the cutting and the mother plant to stop the flow.
Planting Your Cactus Cuttings: Step-by-Step
Once you see the very first signs of root tips forming at the base of the cutting, it’s ready for its new home:
- Grab a small clay or plastic starter pot and add a drainage layer of broken terracotta shards at the bottom.
- Fill the rest with specialized cactus soil or a mix of lava granules and potting soil.
- Plant the cutting about one-third of its height deep into the soil.
- Press the substrate down firmly to secure it, but don’t water it just yet!
While your new plant is in its rooting phase, keep it in a spot with partial shade. After about a week, once the little guy has had time to settle in, you can give it its first drink using soft water.
