Bare Root Plants & Cuttings – Cacti & Succulents
Many cacti, yuccas and some succulents can be bare rooted prior to shipping with little to no stress. However, how they are handled, replanted and cared for after arrival will determine how successful they grow and perform long-term. Although all these types of plants have similar characteristics, there are some important differences in how they should be handled. For this reason, we have provided some helpful advice below.
Cacti or Succulent Cuttings
Cuttings are some of the simplest, and most inexpensive ways to start a new cacti garden or decorative container planting. Long-term success comes from proper planting and care.
NOTE: We make these cuttings as needed for individual orders. This means cuts are typically, new & fresh, and pieces should be allowed to scab over sufficiently prior to planting, even after they arrive. Read the steps below.
- Remove cuttings from the box, unwrap and inspect the piece/s.
- Use caution when handing spiny cacti. Utilize kitchen tongs, coiled paper, folded burlap or a dish rag around the cutting to handle and manipulate spiny pieces safely. With some less spiny varieties a good pair of gloves is all that’s needed.
- Once unwrapped, stand the cuttings vertically in a protected semi-shaded area. Use the box they arrived in or fashion some other means to securely prop them upright. Again, let the cut end harden off for about a week before planting. This means keeping the cut end dry. TIP: Standing them into a pot of loose perlite works well too.
- Once the ends are scabbed over sufficiently, after about a week, then you can plant them.
- Use fresh, loose, well-draining premium potting soil or cactus mix. (See our listing for Premium Potting Soil)
- Fill the pot virtually to the top, and fashion an adequate hole in the middle, set the cutting in (Cut side down) and fill in soil around it and firm down, being careful not to break spines or get injured by them either. Depth of planting will vary by variety, but about 2 inches is usually an adequate.
TIP: A bamboo stake tied to the cutting for extra support until the cutting is rooted is beneficial. As a guideline, rooting can take about 6-8 weeks. (Different species will root at different rates)
In-ground planting
In warm climates, we recommend rooting cuttings into small, temporary containers first, (follow instructions above) We recommend this due to having more control over the soil mix and watering. However, you can harden off cuttings outside in a shady spot for a few days before planting them directly outdoors.
- First, properly augment your native soil to ensure there is excellent drainage then plant the cutting right into the ground. Adding perlite or pumice to the natural soil at a 50/50 mix can be beneficial.
- Water initially to settle the soil around the cutting. (Use of a bamboo stake for support is recommended).
- After planting, drape burlap or shade cloth over the cutting to help protect it from intense UV sunlight. As these plants mature, and establish they will become more resilient to their new site and exposures.
NOTE: For bare root cacti or succulents, plant them at the same depth they were in the nursery. Look for root flare area, or base of the plant where it is discolored from previous soil contact. If you are unsure, erroring on the side of shallow is better than too deep. Again, attaching a stake can offer beneficial support until roots are secure.
Do not water cuttings or bare root cacti or succulents indiscriminately until you know they are growing roots; you can watch for some type of new growth. For prickly pears it may be new pad development, for most columnar cacti or Euphorbia sp., or Yuccas watch for new succulent growth at the top, or new leaves, etc. Prior to new roots, water only occasionally. Check the soil moisture at 1-2 in. deep before you water. If it feels moist, wait. Water enough to stimulate new root growth, but not too much to cause rot. This is the tricky part. If you have any questions, please email us at happyvalleyplants@gmail.com.
Troubleshooting
- If the cacti or cutting starts to shrivel or look emaciated, this can be a sign of stress. Either rot, or a lack of water or some other issue.
- With cuttings, gently lift the plant to observe the base to see if there are roots or if the tissue below the soil level is soft and spongy. If it is soft, with no roots, this is usually a sign of rot.
- Take the cutting out, use sterilized pruners, to make a fresh cut, at least 1 inch above the soft tissue. Stand the cutting up, in a dry but protected area and allow to scab over for 7-10 days. You can sprinkle the fresh cut with powdered sulfur if you have it, to help ward off fungal decay. Once the cut has healed over, replant using instructions above.
- With cuttings that are rooted but discoloring, yellow, white to tan, this can be signs of too much soil moisture, or sun exposure damage.
- Water less often and allow soil to dry sufficiently between waterings.
- Protect cuttings or bare root cacti & succulents from sun damage by draping a piece of burlap, shade cloth, or some household linen over the new plants. This is only temporary, as the plant becomes established, especially important in low desert or inland hot spring or summer temperatures!
Send us photos or any questions you may have. Happyvalleyplants@gmail.com
We are always happy to help with advice and horticultural suggestions and read some of our other informative blogs!
**Blogs & photos by Daniel S. Goodspeed, without use of AI. No photos or blog info may be reprinted or reproduced without permission or consent of the author, Happy Valley Plants™ or its subsidiaries.**
