Growing Succulent Seeds (Easy DIY, Definitions, …)

Nothing is as exhilarating as watching plants grow from scratch. One moment, the only thing in sight is a boring lump of soil. Fast forward a few moons later, cute little shoots spring up from mother earth. It gets even more exciting when it comes to succulents!

Do succulents have seeds? Yes, they have beautiful seeds. Beautiful would be a pretty stingy adjective to describe succulents growing from seeds – gorgeous.

Growing succulents from seeds aren’t rocket science. Sure, the process may progress at a snail’s pace or require you to be more patient than usual, but the wait is always worth it. Small seeds may transform into admirable, exotic, and rare succulents in a few days or months – quite the dream of every succulent lover.

If you’re up for the challenge, we’re ready to give you the low down!

Why Grow Succulents From Seeds?

You’re right, there are much simpler ways of acquiring succulents. If it’s not propagating via stem cuttings, then leaf cuttings may get the job done. You can also get one as a gift or just spend a few bucks and buy a grown one.

However, there are a few exceptions. Certain rare succulents are not available for purchase easily and so the only option becomes growing from seeds. Additionally, some varieties may cost you an arm and a leg while the same seeds will go for a pittance.

And did I mention that you can grow succulents from seeds to have enough to give out as gifts to friends and family members? It’s also an opportunity for succulent freaks to get into the nitty-gritty of succulents’ growth.

What To Prepare Before Growing Succulent From Seeds

#1. Where To Buy Authentic Succulent Seeds

With e-commerce being popular as ever, being ripped off also comes easily. You don’t want to purchase “supposed” succulent seeds only to find out they are some grass variants after germinating.

Or wait for a lifetime for the seeds to germinate only to realize they were fake or dead. Do a bit of homework and buy from a reputable source. You’ll want to check out suppliers’ reviews before placing an order. If the thought of getting a good supplier overwhelms you, the following suggestions might be helpful.

• Local plant stores near you: Succulents and cacti seeds are available in local garden centers or plant nurseries. Alternatively, you can find them in big-box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

• Etsy: You can find reliable seed suppliers here without much fuzz. Prices vary depending on the varieties, with the designer succulent types fetching higher prices.

• Amazon: A simple search for succulent seeds on this mammoth marketplace will yield valuable results. Be sure to read reviews to establish the legitimacy of the supplier. Besides, it’s worthwhile noting that most seeds come from Asia, so they may take a while to reach you.

Some types of succulent seeds that are easy to get started (if you don’t have much experience):

• Echeveria seeds
• Sedum seeds
• Sempervivum seeds

#2. Necessary Supplies & Tools

• High-quality succulent or cacti seeds: Consider places to buy in part above.
• Well-draining cacti/succulent potting mix: Usually, they make a mix of potting soil, sand, perlite, and pumice for newly grown succulents.
• Shallow planting trays: The trays should have multiple draining holes. Drainage is essential for germinating seeds.
• A plant dome or your typical shower cap: This tool will give your plant the protection it needs when the seedling process starts.

#3. The Step-by-step Procedure In This Preparation Phase

Step 1: Having the correct substrate – Before sowing or planting your succulent seeds, it’s important to have the correct substrate. This is a central determining factor in your seeds’ growth, so you want to be keen on this one.

Succulent seeds will do well in a potting substrate rich in the sand. In other words, very coarse and well-draining. Builder’s sand or Horticultural sand can both fit pretty well. If they’re out of reach, you can mix a portion of regular soil with perlite and grit.

To eliminate pathogens in regular succulent soil, sterilize the mixed substrate by baking it in an oven at 300 degrees F for no more than 35 minutes. If that’s not viable, a microwave can also be helpful. 10 minutes will be enough.

Let the soil cool down before proceeding to fill the planting tray.

Step 2: Fill your planting tray with substrate mix – Ensure it is free from old soil by thoroughly washing it. Next, fill it with your newly prepared potting mix about half an inch below the tray’s edge.

Wet the soil and let the water drain through the holes at the bottom of the tray. This is important as it ensures the tiny succulent seeds stick to the soil until they develop roots.

Step 3: Planting succulent seeds – Succulent seeds are incredibly tiny, almost microscopic. They can easily be blown away by the wind, so do this in a sheltered area. You can place them on your hands to have an easier time nudging them onto the tray.

Plant the seeds by spreading them gently on the surface of the soil, carefully leaving enough space between them. The larger their size when growing, the wider the spaces needed. If you’re using a tray divided into cells, let each cell hold one or two seeds.

Note: Avoid covering succulent seeds with soil and provide the seeds with an excellent growing environment.

Since succulent seeds are super tiny, avoid covering them with soil. This is because the tiny plants won’t reach the surface before their stored food is depleted, so they die.

How To Germinate Succulent Seeds

If you follow the above steps thoroughly, your seeds will germinate. In case you grow different succulents at the same time, it’s recommended that you grow each type in a separate tray. This is because each variety will germinate at a certain pace, and hence it will be much easier to give each of them suitable growing conditions.

Most seeds will fail to germinate unless the air has some humidity. You can quickly solve this by covering the tray with a dome or shower cap until they begin sprouting. Move them to a brightly lit area away from direct sunlight and ensure the temperature is 70 degrees F.

Also, let the soil remain moist.

The Wait Begins – How Long Does It Take For Succulent Seeds To Grow?

Your seeds may take anywhere between a few days to several weeks to begin growing. This depends on the type of succulent, temperature, and light conditions. Some varieties may even take up to one year for them to sprout. (Talk about patience…)

Once your seeds start sprouting, remove the dome or shower cap, as excess humidity will make them rot. Keep the soil moist for the first two weeks as they continue to grow. Watering is essential at this point since their roots are actively developing.

After the roots are developed, wait for the soil to dry before watering. This is roughly two and a half weeks after sowing. Slowly introduce them to more light but keep them out of direct sunlight.

Replanting Your Succulent

Once your seeds have sprouted and fully matured, it’s time to set them up in individual pots. However, you need to ensure your plants are mature enough to survive the transplant. This involves a lot of handling, and they may be damaged in the process. You can always give them more time to mature if they seem fragile. Generally, you can replant them 4-6 months after sowing.

Replanting succulents is fairly easy. Clear the soil at the base of the plant and gently lift it. After the plant comes off, remove the old soil from the soil and also get rid of dead roots. Fill up a medium-sized pot with new well-draining cacti mix and stick the plant on it. Wait a few days, then water your plant as you would succulents.

ALSO READ:

• Super Interesting Fuzzy Succulents You Have To See
• Are Succulents Herbaceous Plants?-Definition and List of Examples
• How to Trim Succulents Successfully (Guide)

---

Final Words

There we have it! Growing succulents from seeds isn’t so bad, is it? (I know, the waiting part is the worst). Let us know how your succulents grew if you’re trying to grow them from seeds. What was the best tip you read about in this article? Let us know below, we’re curious. Thanks for reading and happy planting!

Enjoyed learning about How to Grow Succulents from Seeds? If so, you’ll really enjoy the ebook about Essential Tools for Planting the Best Succulents. With this ebook, you’ll find yourself more detailed answers that’ll help your succulent grow even better! With thousands of succulent lovers enjoying our ebooks, you don’t want to miss out on what works best to grow your succulents.