Propagation 101: Multiply Your Plant Collection

Why Propagate?

Propagation allows you to expand your plant collection for free, share plants with friends, and preserve beloved plants. It's also incredibly satisfying to grow a new plant from a cutting!

Stem Cutting Propagation

The most common method for houseplants:

1. Cut a 4-6 inch stem section below a node (where leaves attach)
2. Remove lower leaves, keeping 2-3 at the top
3. Place in water or moist soil
4. Keep warm (65-75°F) with bright, indirect light
5. Roots typically develop in 2-6 weeks

Best for: Pothos, philodendron, tradescantia, coleus

Leaf Cutting Propagation

Some plants can grow from a single leaf:

1. Remove a healthy leaf with stem attached
2. Place stem in water or soil
3. Keep soil lightly moist, water roots visible
4. New plants emerge from leaf base

Best for: African violets, begonias, succulents, peperomia

Division

For plants that grow in clumps:

1. Remove plant from pot
2. Gently separate root ball into sections
3. Each section should have roots and shoots
4. Repot divisions in fresh soil
5. Water thoroughly and keep shaded for a few days

Best for: Snake plants, peace lilies, spider plants, ferns

Air Layering

For woody plants that are difficult to root from cuttings:

1. Make a small wound on a stem
2. Wrap with moist sphagnum moss
3. Cover with plastic wrap to maintain humidity
4. Roots develop in 4-8 weeks
5. Cut below new roots and pot up

Best for: Rubber plants, fiddle leaf figs, croton

Offsets and Pups

Some plants produce baby plants:

• Wait until offsets are 1/3 the size of the mother plant
• Gently separate with roots attached
• Pot in appropriate soil mix
• Water sparingly until established

Best for: Spider plants, bromeliads, succulents, aloe vera

Tips for Success

• Use clean, sharp tools to prevent disease
• Take cuttings from healthy, pest-free plants
• Spring and summer are ideal for most propagation
• Bottom heat can speed up rooting
• Be patient - some plants take longer than others
• Keep humidity high for cuttings (plastic bag tent works well)

When to Transplant

Once roots are 1-2 inches long (for water propagation) or cuttings show new growth (for soil propagation), they're ready to pot up. Use well-draining soil and water carefully for the first few weeks.