Do propagated succulents need direct sunlight?

Light management plays a crucial role in the success of succulent leaf propagation. Under the early stages of propagation, avoid full sun entirely. Baby plants require bright, indirect light. I have sometimes burned my propagation babies by placing them in sunny windowsills. You can likely prevent these issues with careful placement. Still, I thought it was useful to share my personal perspective on the matter.

Direct sunlight will quickly dehydrate and bleach them, especially baby succulents, which don't have wax coverings and have thin tissues that burn easily. To prevent this, I use 40% shade cloth outdoors. It fixed my cuttings and propagated babies, and for you, too! Check for red edges and curled leaves, signs of stress.

Artificial lighting is a good complement to natural lighting sources. LED grow lights can be used at a distance of about 12-18 inches from your propagation. I wear them for about 12 hours a day, every day, during the winter months. Your setup should be at an intensity of 2000 -3000 lux. Do not overheat. Monitor color development daily as the plant propagates for quality assurance.

Gradual acclimatization to the sun starts right after transplanting. Begin with 15 minutes of exposure, preferably in the morning sun. Gradual exposure over 3-4 weeks. I prefer to harden plants when the weather is mild in the spring. With your patience, the plants will develop their own natural resistance to the sun. Eventually, mature succulents can be exposed to full sun exposure.

Understand light management for successful propagation. While shielding baby plants, you can promote new growth by carefully managing light. I maintain a propagation log that tracks the number of hours of light. If you pay attention to light, you will have healthy, succulent growth from leaf to mature plant.

Read the full article: How to Grow Succulents From Leaves Successfully