Succulents are beautiful plants that come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Plus, they are very low maintenance and incredibly easy to maintain. In this guide, we look at how to grow succulents from seed – An easy, economical and fun way to grow your own collection.
Introduction
Although ready-made succulents can be purchased at almost any garden center, home goods store or even supermarket, there is something to be said for growing these beauties from seed.
To see something that was so small (succulent seeds are very small) grow into a fully grown flowering plant is very rewarding. But how do you grow succulents from seed?
We’re going to let you in on a little secret: it’s not rocket science. However, that said, you need to take the necessary steps, such as selecting the right soil, placing the seeds in the right place, and using the right amount of water.
How to grow succulents from seeds
When are succulent seeds sown?
Generally, moderate spring and fall temperatures allow for optimal growing conditions for succulent seed germination. A temperature of 21 degrees C is ideal for germination.
It is important to note that growing succulents from seed is very different from growing other types of plants from seed. That said, let’s see how you can grow your own succulent garden from seed.
Start with good quality seeds
Although it’s pretty obvious, it’s a point that needs to be made: make sure you start with good quality seeds from a reputable source.
Keep in mind that succulent seeds are extremely small; in fact, some varieties are so small that they can easily be mistaken for dirt or dust.
Believe it or not, and unfortunately, shady people have been selling things that could easily be mistaken for succulent seeds.
To avoid getting scammed, make sure you buy your seeds from a reputable site. Online shopping is the most convenient.
So to make sure you’re working with a reputable source, read reviews before making a purchase.
supplies needed
Once you have your seeds, it’s time to gather the rest of the supplies you’ll need.
To grow succulents from seed, you will need to gather:
A shallow planting tray. Choose one that has several drainage holes in the bottom. Succulents need adequate drainage – even when it comes to seeds – otherwise they can rot.
Well-drained soil. There are many potting soils on the market designed specifically for succulents.
A plant pot, which can be purchased at most garden stores or through online retailers.
Preparation for planting
Once you have your supplies, you can start making the necessary preparations for planting. Before sowing the seeds, it is essential to establish the appropriate substrate.
The substrate in which the seeds are placed will have a big impact on the quality of growth and the success or failure of your attempt.
The ideal for succulent seeds is a soil rich in sand, of course, which drains well, as it is very similar to the soil in which these plants grow in the wild.
You can buy a specific compost for succulents or make your own substrate by mixing normal potting soil with construction or horticultural sand.
If you prepare your own substrate, we recommend that you sterilize it before planting the seeds.
To do this, place the soil on a cookie sheet or plate and bake at 300 degrees for up to 30 minutes.
You can also place the soil and sand mixture in a microwave-safe dish and cook it for up to 10 minutes.
Whichever option you choose to sanitize your succulent soil, allow it to cool thoroughly before using it.
Fill the planting tray with soil
Next, take the prepared succulent soil or substrate you made and fill the planting tray.
Fill each section of the tray so that the soil is about 1 inch below the edge of the tray.
When the container is full of soil, water it. Let excess water flow out through the drainage holes. When there is no more water coming out of the holes, you know you are ready to start planting.
It is important to water the soil before planting the seeds, as this will ensure that the super tiny seeds stick to the soil.
plant the seeds
Once the tray is filled with soil and the soil has been watered and drained, you can proceed to plant the seeds.
Although we’ve mentioned it before, it bears repeating: Succulent seeds are incredibly small. They are so small that the wind can pick them up and carry them away. Therefore, you need to plant them in a place protected from the wind.
Hold an open, flat hand and place the seeds in the palm of your hand. This will make it easier to introduce the seeds into the tray.
To plant the seeds, take care to spread them on the surface of the soil, making sure to leave enough space between them.
The larger the succulents are when they begin to grow, the more space the seeds will need between them.
If you are using a tray with different compartments, place one or two seeds in each.
Since succulent seeds are so small, avoid covering them with soil. Because? – Because once the plants have taken root and started to sprout, if they are covered with soil, they will not be able to come to the surface and will die.
If you are growing multiple succulents at the same time, we recommend placing them in individual trays.
This is because each type of succulent seed has a different germination period. This way it will be much easier to provide each plant variety with the right growing conditions.
Protect the seeds
Most succulent species need a certain amount of moisture to germinate (think about the environment they grow in in the wild).
Covering the planting tray with a plant dome or clear nylon will help create the humidity the seeds need to thrive.
Place them in a sunny and warm place
Once the seeds have been planted and the tray covered, you should place it in a place exposed to direct sunlight. If you don’t have a constant source of sunlight, you can place the tray under a grow light. Also remember that a temperature of 21 degrees C is ideal for germination.
Observe the seeds. When they start to sprout, you can remove the dome or the nylon. When the seeds start to sprout, you’ll be well on your way to having your own collection of self-grown succulents.
Once the seeds have grown into large enough plants, you can transplant them to other locations.
In summary
The process of growing succulents from seed isn’t exactly difficult; however, it requires the right materials and a bit of patience, just like any other type of plant.
As long as you follow the instructions above and are patient, you can successfully grow your own succulents.
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