Yes, late summer succulent propagation works fine but it will not match spring results. Your leaves will root and grow. They just take longer than batches started in spring or early summer. The best time propagate succulents falls between April and July when growth hormones peak. Late summer still beats fall or winter for starting new leaves.
I tested this out by starting two batches of the same Echeveria variety. The June batch pushed roots in two weeks flat. The August batch took nearly four weeks to show the same root growth. Both worked out in the end. But the June babies grew stronger and faster from day one.
The seasonal propagation timing matters because of how plants work inside. Longer daylight hours tell the plant to grow. Warm stable temps speed up cell division in the tissue. Late summer still has decent light but the days shrink each week. The nights cool down too. All of this slows the hormones that drive root formation.
Cold temps delay the rooting process quite a bit. MSU Extension research backs this up. As fall creeps closer your late summer starts face a race. They need to root before temps drop too far. Below 60°F (15.5°C) the rooting slows way down. Below 50°F (10°C) some leaves just stop growing. They sit there until spring comes around again.
Go ahead and start your late summer batch if you have leaves ready now. Just set your hopes a bit lower on speed. Expect roots in 3-4 weeks rather than two. Expect smaller plantlets by the end of fall. The process still works. It just runs at half speed compared to peak season starts.
Move outdoor trays inside before the cold arrives when you think about when to propagate succulents this late. Watch your weather forecast and bring them in once nights dip below 60°F (15.5°C). A sunny windowsill works great for the rest of autumn. The indoor warmth keeps the roots growing even as the world outside cools down.
Indoor grow lights help a lot for late starts too. Run them 12-14 hours per day to mimic longer summer days. Keep your room at 70°F (21°C) or warmer for best results. These tricks can push your late summer batch to match spring timing. I use a cheap timer to run my lights on a set schedule. The extra effort pays off in stronger faster growing baby plants.
Read the full article: 7 Steps for Succulent Leaf Propagation Success
