From my perspective, a well-chosen stem cutting is my best chance for a new life. Please select a healthy, mature stem from you, the gardener—one that is firm, not woody or too young and floppy. Using a sharp, clean tool for the cut is crucial; a ragged tear from a dull blade damages my vascular tissues, leaving me vulnerable to rot. A clean cut allows me to compartmentalize the wound efficiently. The ideal cutting should be about 2-4 inches long with several sets of leaves.
This next step is perhaps the most misunderstood by humans but is absolutely vital for my survival. Unlike you, I am a succulent, designed to store water within my tissues. My freshly cut stem is an open wound, dripping with sap and moisture. If planted immediately into damp soil, this wound acts as an open door for fungal and bacterial pathogens, which will quickly cause me to rot and collapse. I need you to place me in a dry, shaded spot with good air circulation for several days to a week. This allows my cut end to form a protective layer of tissue called a callus. This callus is my bandage; it seals the wound, prevents moisture loss from the base, and most importantly, bars entry to soil-borne diseases.
Once my callus has formed, I am ready to seek out water and nutrients by growing new roots. Prepare a well-draining home for me—a mix of potting soil and perlite or coarse sand is perfect. Soggy, water-retentive soil will drown my nascent roots. You can dip my callused end in a rooting hormone powder before planting; this is not strictly necessary but it gives me a helpful signal to accelerate root production. Plant me just deep enough to stand upright, and gently firm the soil around my base for support.
My initial watering must be approached with care. Do not drench my soil immediately. Instead, provide a light misting or a very modest amount of water around the planting site, just enough to slightly moisten the top layer of soil. This subtle moisture encourages my roots to stretch out in search of more. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Harsh, direct sun will scorch me while I am vulnerable and without a full root system to sustain myself. The key now is patience; my energy is focused entirely underground, building the foundation for my future growth.
Within a few weeks, you will know if I have been successful. Gently tug on my stem; if you feel slight resistance, it means my new roots have anchored me into the soil. You may also see new, bright green growth emerging from my stem or leaf nodes—this is the ultimate sign that I am established and photosynthesizing as an independent plant. At this point, you can begin to treat me like a mature Crassula, watering me more thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry and gradually acclimating me to brighter light.
