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Mother of Thousands
Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
QUICK ANSWER
Plantlet rooting is the easiest method and gives you a rooted baby in 1 to 2 weeks because each leaf edge produces dozens of pre-rooted plantlets that drop on their own.
Stem cuttings root in 2 to 4 weeks and are useful when you want a single tall plant rather than a colony.
Stem cuttings root in 2 to 4 weeks and are useful when you want a single tall plant rather than a colony.
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Plantlet rooting
Best for beginners and anyone who wants dozens of new plants at once
Stem cuttings
Best when you want a single tall plant instead of a clumping carpet
Plantlet rooting
Time
1–2 weeks
Level
Beginner
Success rate
High
You'll need
Cactus or succulent mix
A shallow 4-inch pot or tray with drainage
A spray bottle of water
Tweezers or a soft brush
1
Collect plantlets from the leaf edges
Look along the scalloped edges of mature leaves for tiny plant babies, each with two miniature leaves and a short pink root. Many drop on their own onto nearby soil. You can also pinch a leaf gently and dozens will rain off.
2
Sprinkle plantlets onto cactus mix
Fill your pot with succulent mix and tap to settle. Scatter the plantlets across the surface, root-side down if you can manage it. Do not bury them. They prefer to sit on top and root themselves down.
3
Mist lightly to anchor them
Use a spray bottle to mist the surface until the soil is barely damp. The plantlets will grip the surface within a day or two. Soaking the pot at this stage rots the plantlets before they have a chance to anchor.
4
Place in bright indirect light
Set the pot in a spot with bright filtered light. Direct sun will scorch the tiny leaves. Mist every 2 to 3 days until you see the plantlets stand upright on their own, which means they have rooted in.
5
Switch to normal succulent watering
After 1 to 2 weeks, water deeply when the soil is fully dry. The plantlets shoot up fast and form a thick carpet within a month. Thin them by lifting extras with tweezers if the pot gets too crowded.
WATCH FOR
Plantlets shrivel before rooting. That means the soil is too dry or the air is too hot. Mist the surface daily and move the pot out of direct sun. Healthy plantlets stay plump and green for at least a week even before rooting.
Stem cuttings
Time
2–4 weeks
Level
Beginner
Success rate
High
You'll need
Sterile shears or a sharp knife
A 4-inch pot with drainage
Cactus or succulent mix
A bright spot out of direct sun
1
Cut a 4 to 6 inch tip
Choose a healthy upright stem with at least one full pair of leaves at the top. Cut cleanly with sterile shears just below a node, which is the spot where leaves attach. Strip off the bottom pair of leaves to expose 1 inch of bare stem.
2
Let the cut callous for 2 days
Set the cutting on a paper towel in a shaded dry spot. The cut end will form a dry skin within 48 hours. Skipping this step is the number one cause of stem rot in this species.
3
Plant in dry succulent mix
Fill the pot with cactus mix. Push the bare stem into the soil so the lowest leaves sit just above the surface. Press the soil firmly around the stem so the cutting stands upright on its own.
4
Wait a week before the first watering
Place the pot in bright indirect light. Do not water for the first 7 days. The cutting is using stored moisture in its leaves to push out new roots. Watering early floods the unrooted stem and kills it.
5
Water sparingly until rooted
After 7 days, water enough to dampen the soil. Let it dry completely between waterings. New growth at the top within 2 to 4 weeks confirms roots have formed. Switch to normal succulent care from then on.
WATCH FOR
Stem turns black or mushy at soil level. That is rot from premature watering or skipping the callous step. Pull the cutting, slice off the rotted section, let it callous for 4 days this time, then replant in fresh dry mix. Healthy cuttings stay firm and green at the base.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Propagation methods verified against Kalanchoe daigremontiana growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
8,698+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 9a–11b