When you see succulent propagation no roots after several weeks the cause falls into four main areas. Damaged meristem tissue tops the list. Cold temps rank second. Wrong species comes third. Poor callusing sits fourth. Finding your specific issue lets you fix it and try again with better odds.
I had a batch of Echeveria leaves that just sat there for six weeks with no root growth at all. My other batches rooted fine in the same soil and light. Then I noticed that tray sat near a drafty window. A thermometer showed temps dropped to 55°F (13°C) at night near that spot. I moved the tray to a warmer shelf and the next batch rooted in two weeks flat.
The top reason why succulents wont root comes down to damage at the leaf base. That base holds meristem tissue that acts like stem cells for the plant. It can turn into roots or new leaves as needed. But if you tear or crush this tissue when pulling the leaf it dies. No meristem means no roots can ever form no matter how long you wait.
Cold temps cause the second most propagation failure causes. MSU Extension research shows cold slows rooting quite a bit. Virginia Tech data says the best temps for rooting fall between 70-75°F (21-24°C). Below 60°F (15.5°C) some leaves just stop trying to root. They sit there looking fine but nothing happens inside.
Wrong species waste your time too. Some succulents will never root from leaves. Aloe, Aeonium, and Sempervivum lack the right cell setup in their leaves. No amount of patience or perfect conditions will make them root. Check your plant type before you pull any leaves off. Use stem cuttings or offsets for these types instead.
If your succulent cutting not rooting has you stumped work through a checklist. Check your room temp first. Get a thermometer and verify you stay above 65°F (18°C) day and night. Look at the leaf bases next. Torn or crushed ends mean you need fresh leaves pulled with more care.
Give healthy leaves in warm spots at least four weeks before you give up on them. Some species just take longer than others to show roots. But if you see no change after six weeks something is wrong. Start fresh with new leaves and fix whatever issue you found. Your next batch will do better once you know what went wrong before.
Read the full article: 7 Steps for Succulent Leaf Propagation Success
