Some popular succulents cannot be propagated from leaves at all. Aloe vera, Aeoniums, Agaves, Sempervivum, and Haworthia are in this group. Their leaves just shrivel up after sitting on soil for months.
I wasted six months trying to grow new Aloe vera plants from leaves before I learned the truth. The leaves looked healthy at first but never showed any roots or babies. They just got thinner until they dried up. This failure taught me to research succulents that don't root from leaves before wasting my time again.
My Aeonium leaves met the same fate as my Aloe attempts. I tried three batches using perfect technique each time. Every single leaf dried out without forming roots. These plants just cannot grow from leaf tissue no matter what you do.
These species lack the cell types needed to grow new plants from leaves alone. Plants like Echeveria and Sedum can turn their leaf cells into new growth points. Aloe and Aeonium do not have this ability. Waiting longer will not change this fact about their biology.
MSU Extension states this fact clear for anyone growing Aloe. Their guides say that Aloe leaves will NOT root when you try this method. Iowa State research backs this up too. Knowing the leaf propagation limitations for your species saves you months of waiting.
Alternative propagation methods work great for these species once you know the tricks. Aloe and Haworthia grow pups around the base of your parent plant. Wait until these babies have their own small roots. Then cut them free and pot them up on their own.
Sempervivum produces babies on runners that spread from your mother plant. These little rosettes often root themselves right into the soil around them. Cut the runner and move your baby to its new home once roots form. This makes Sempervivum one of the easiest plants for you to multiply.
Aeonium grows as branching stems that work great for your stem cuttings. Cut a branch with a rosette on top and let the end dry for 4-7 days. Plant your cutting in soil and roots will form along the buried stem. You can also take stem sections without leaves and they will sprout for you.
Agave plants grow offsets called pups just like Aloe does. These appear around the base as your plant matures over time. Separate your pups with a clean knife once they reach several inches tall. Match your method to your plant species for best results with any of these plants.
Read the full article: How to Propagate Succulents: A Complete Guide
