Struggling with leggy succulents? Learn the common pruning mistakes that prevent succulents from growing bushy and prune the right way.
Succulents are loved for their compact, bushy, and aesthetic appearance but many plant parents end up with tall, leggy plants instead. We have seen our gardener friends struggling too. Which is why, we are here to help! While sunlight and watering play a role, improper pruning is one of the biggest reasons succulents fail to grow bushy.
Pruning Mistakes that Stop Succulents from Getting Bushy
Pruning isn’t just about cutting randomly, anywhere and anytime and waiting for blooms. Rather, it’s a skill that directly affects how your succulent branches and grows out. If your succulent refuses to grow dense and full, you have the cue that you need to modify your pruning routine and technique.
1. Not Pruning at All?
One of the most common misconceptions is believing succulents will naturally become bushy if left alone. Yes, they grow. But we can question their health and stability then.
Did you know that many succulents need pruning to encourage branching. Without trimming, they continue growing upward, focusing energy on the main stem rather than side shoots. Pruning signals the plant to redirect energy, resulting in multiple new growth points. So, don’t be afraid to prune healthy succulents during their active growing season (usually spring or early summer).
2. Pruning at the Wrong Time
Timing matters more than most people realize. No wonder, people say everything is best suited at its own time, well, so does pruning!
Pruning succulents during dormancy, typically winter for most species, can stress the plant and slow its recovery. This often leads to weak regrowth or no branching at all. Always prune when the plant is actively growing. This allows faster healing and stronger new shoots.
3. Cutting Too Close to the Base
Many of us might just cut stems too low, or near the base not knowing that this can damage growth nodes or reduce the plant’s ability to branch. In some cases, the plant may rot or struggle to produce new growth. So instead, make cuts just above a leaf node or rosette, leaving enough stem for new shoots to emerge.
4. Using Dull or Dirty Tools? Stop!
Blunt scissors crush the stem instead of making a clean cut, while dirty tools welcome bacteria and fungi. Both can cause infections, rot, and slow growth, completely stopping bushy development. Always use sharp, sterilized scissors or pruning shears.
Pro tip: Wipe tools with rubbing alcohol before every cut.
5. Don’t Overdo It
While pruning is beneficial, too much pruning at once shocks the plant. Removing too many stems or leaves can weaken the succulent, forcing it into survival mode rather than growth mode. So, be slow and steady and prune gradually. Never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.
6. Ignoring the Cuttings
Healthy cuttings can be replanted to create fuller arrangements or clustered pots that give the appearance of bushiness. So, this is your sign not to discard cuttings! Let cuttings dry or callous for 1–3 days, then plant them in well-draining soil to grow new plants.
7. Don’t forget Post-Pruning Care
Pruning alone won’t make succulents bushy if aftercare is ignored. Overwatering after pruning often leads to rot, while insufficient light causes new growth to stretch. After pruning, wait a few days before watering and place the plant in bright, indirect sunlight.
Getting bushier succulents is not just luck, or maybe. But luck will favor only the ones who work. So don’t do these mistakes from now and prune healthy to witness the most magnificent and healthy succulent growth ever!
