How to Propagate Mother of Thousands: A Step-by-Step Guide for Endless Plants

If there’s one plant that truly lives up to its name, it’s the Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana). I still remember the first time I saw one sitting on a windowsill in a small plant shop. It looked like something from another planet—its serrated leaves lined with tiny, perfect miniature versions of itself, ready to drop and conquer the nearest pot of soil.

As a certified horticulturist, I’ve propagated hundreds of plants, but few are as prolific—or as fascinating—as this one. Some call it invasive (and they’re not wrong!), but I call it generous. If you’ve ever wanted to turn one plant into an entire jungle, you’ve come to the right place.

[!WARNING] Pet Owner Alert: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep it out of reach of curious paws!

Why This Plant is a Propagation Superstar

The Mother of Thousands doesn’t wait for you to take cuttings or divide roots. It does the work for you! Those little “babies” along the leaf margins are fully formed plantlets with their own tiny root systems.

Nature designed this succulent to spread, which makes it perfect for beginners. In fact, the hardest part isn’t getting it to reproduce—it’s convincing it to stop!

How to Propagate Mother of Thousands: The Lazy Method

This is my favorite method because it mimics nature perfectly.

1. Wait for the Drop: Naturally, the plantlets will fall off when they are ready. Look for them on the soil surface of the mother pot.
2. Scoop and Move: Gently pick up the fallen babies. They are surprisingly tough.
3. Place on Soil: Set them upright on moist, well-draining cactus soil. You don’t even need to bury them; their roots will find their way down.

How to Propagate: The “Proactive” Method

Can’t wait for them to fall? neither can I sometimes!

1. Select Your Babies: Look for plantlets that have 4 small leaves and visible little white roots hanging down.
2. The Gentle Pluck: Using your thumb and forefinger, gently brush the plantlets off the mother leaf. They should detach with almost zero resistance. If you have to pull hard, they aren’t ready.
3. Prepare Your Pot: Fill a shallow tray or small pot with a mix of potting soil and perlite (50/50 mix is great). Mist the soil so it’s damp but not soggy.
4. Planting: Place the plantlets on top of the soil. Leave about an inch of space between them—they grow fast!
5. The Greenhouse Effect: Cover the container with a clear plastic bag or humidity dome for the first week to keep moisture in.

Care Tips for Your New Plantlets

• Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Direct scorching sun can fry the tiny babies.
• Water: Mist them every few days until they establish strong roots. Once they are about an inch tall, switch to watering only when the soil is dry.
• Soil: Fast-draining succulent mix is non-negotiable. These plants hate wet feet!

[!TIP] Sarah’s Secret: If your plantlets are growing tall and spindly (etiolated), they are begging for more light. Move them closer to a window!

Managing the Takeover

I’m not joking when I say this plant can be a bit too enthusiastic. I once found a baby growing in the carpet!

To keep your collection under control:

• Keep the mother plant in its own pot, away from your other prized plants.
• Check neighboring pots weekly for “hitchhikers” and remove them immediately.
• Gift them! They make adorable, easy-care gifts for friends (just warn them about the takeover potential!).

Happy planting! Watch out, or you might end up like me—with a literal thousand of them!