If you’ve ever fallen for the dreamy pastel tones of the Ghost Plant, you’re not alone—and the good news is, this succulent is as easy to propagate as it is beautiful. With just a single leaf or a tiny cutting, you can multiply your collection quickly and with very little effort.
Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) is one of the most rewarding succulents to propagate, making it a favorite for beginners and collectors alike. Whether you’re growing it in pots, letting it trail from a hanging basket, or using it as ground cover in a sunny garden, this plant is ready to spread its silvery charm far and wide.
Let’s walk through every method to help your Ghost Plant grow, expand, and flourish.
Table of Contents
Why Ghost Plant Is So Easy to Propagate
Ghost Plant naturally wants to grow and spread. Its plump, water-storing leaves are quick to root when they fall, and its trailing stems often produce little offsets on their own.
It’s not unusual to find tiny plantlets growing from a dropped leaf or stem that made contact with soil.
This is a plant that loves to make more of itself, which makes propagation a breeze.
Leaf Propagation: Just One Leaf Can Become a Whole Plant
This is one of the easiest and most magical ways to propagate Ghost Plant.
Here’s how to do it:
-
Gently twist a healthy leaf from the base of the stem, making sure it comes off cleanly.
-
Let the leaf sit out for 1–2 days in a dry area so the end can callous over.
-
Place the leaf on top of well-draining succulent soil—don’t bury it.
-
Mist lightly every few days and keep it in bright, indirect light.
In a couple of weeks, you’ll see tiny roots and a baby rosette forming at the end of the leaf.
Eventually, the original leaf will shrivel as the new plant grows.
Leaf propagation works best during spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing.
Stem Cuttings: Fast-Tracking Your Propagation
If you have a leggy or overgrown Ghost Plant, stem cuttings are a quick way to create a new plant—and refresh your original at the same time.
Step-by-step:
-
Use clean scissors to cut a healthy stem, 3–6 inches long.
-
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving at least two leaves at the top.
-
Let the cutting dry and callous for 1–2 days.
-
Plant the stem into succulent soil and water lightly after a few days.
In about 1–2 weeks, it should begin to root and start producing new growth.
This method is ideal for when your plant has stretched or when you want to fill out a container quickly.
Offsets and Self-Rooting Stems
Ghost Plant often produces little rosettes at the base of the mother plant or along its stems.
These offsets are already primed to become full-grown plants of their own.
To propagate from offsets:
-
Gently pull or cut the offset away from the mother plant, trying to take a few roots with it.
-
Let the offset dry for a day, then plant it in well-draining soil.
-
Mist or water lightly until roots are established.
Trailing stems that touch the soil will sometimes root on their own.
If you spot one of these self-rooted branches, simply cut it free and pot it up.
Can You Propagate Ghost Plant Outdoors?
Yes—especially if you live in USDA zones 9 to 11 where winters are mild and frosts are rare.
Here’s how to propagate directly in your garden:
-
Choose a sunny, well-drained spot with sandy or gritty soil.
-
Use any of the methods above—leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, or offsets—and place them directly onto the soil.
-
Don’t water right away. Let the pieces settle in and callous naturally.
-
In dry climates, mist lightly every few days to encourage rooting.
Outdoor propagation is particularly successful in rock gardens, gravel paths, or raised beds where water drains quickly.
Once established, the plants will begin to spread on their own—especially if allowed to root freely where stems touch the ground.
Using Ghost Plant as Ground Cover
Ghost Plant is one of those rare succulents that works beautifully as a ground cover in the right climate.
Thanks to its trailing habit and easy rooting, it forms a low mat of overlapping rosettes that look like pastel petals scattered across the soil.
Where to use it:
-
Along the edges of raised beds or borders
-
In rock gardens and succulent landscapes
-
Between stepping stones or along gravel walkways
-
Cascading over retaining walls or large outdoor containers
Not only does it look stunning, but it also helps suppress weeds and reduce erosion in sunny, dry spaces.
Bonus tip: Let a few leaves or cuttings fall naturally and you’ll soon see new rosettes popping up throughout the area!
Caring for New Plants After Propagation
Once your cuttings or baby plants are rooted, treat them like mature Ghost Plants:
-
Give them plenty of bright light (full sun outdoors, or a sunny window indoors)
-
Use well-draining soil
-
Water only when the soil is completely dry
-
Avoid fertilizing until the plant has had time to establish
Propagation is fastest during spring and summer, but with the right care, new growth will continue steadily throughout the warm months.
Be sure to read our article How to Care for Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense): A Soft-Hued Succulent with Serious Style for more detailed instructions.
Final Thoughts
Ghost Plant is one of the most forgiving and generous succulents you can grow.
With just a few leaves or cuttings, you can turn one plant into a whole garden’s worth of soft, silver-toned beauty.
Whether you’re growing indoors in a cozy pot or spreading it outdoors across a sunny garden bed, Ghost Plant makes propagation feel like magic.
Let me know if you’d like this paired with a printable propagation guide or visual step-by-step—I’d be happy to create something shareable for your readers or socials!