Getty Images – Growing Mint by Propagation in Water
At times, a houseplant may start to appear leggy and lackluster, prompting you to seek ways to revive it or perhaps share a beloved plant with a friend. The process of creating new baby plants from cuttings is straightforward, as many common plants can be easily propagated this way. Typically, only a few inches of a cutting or even just one leaf are needed to establish an entirely new plant.
The techniques for propagating plants from cuttings are uncomplicated. After snipping a portion of your plant, you can encourage root growth by placing it in a glass of water. Position the container in a location that receives bright, indirect light, and remember to change the water on a weekly basis. Depending on the plant species, roots may develop within a few weeks to a few months. Once the roots reach a length of a few inches, transplant the plant into a pot filled with suitable potting medium.
Another method involves rooting cuttings directly in potting mix. Following the cutting, dip it in rooting hormone before inserting it into the soil to expedite the process (although this step can be omitted if you do not have rooting hormone available). Place the pot in an area with bright, indirect light rather than direct sunlight. In a few weeks to a few months, new growth should emerge on your plant, or you may feel resistance when gently tugging on it, indicating root formation.
These two methods are effective for most plants. If one method proves unsuccessful, consider trying the alternate approach. Some plants thrive better when rooted directly in soil.
It is important to note that not all plants can be legally propagated. Breeders and hybridizers introduce new plant varieties with distinct characteristics annually and often obtain patents to safeguard their developments. A patent, lasting for 20 years, restricts anyone other than the patent holder from reproducing the plant during the patent’s duration. Consequently, new or rare plants cannot be propagated legally, even for personal use.
Conversely, numerous timeless favorites that have been in existence for a long time are permissible for propagation. Below are some of the simplest plants to propagate from cuttings for yourself or others:
Pothos
Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
Sunlight: Bright, indirect to low light
Soil type: Well-draining
This low-maintenance houseplant is just as effortless to propagate. Take a cutting a few inches long with multiple leaves, ensuring to include a node (the brown bumpy structure serving as a dormant growing point where the stem and leaf meet). Place it in moist potting mix, ensuring it remains damp. Alternatively, root the cuttings in water and transfer them to a pot filled with potting mix once the roots reach a few inches in length.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum
Sunlight: Bright, indirect to medium light
Soil: Well-draining
Snake plants, also known as Dracaena trifasciata, thrive in low, medium, or bright indirect light and require well-draining soil. They are incredibly low-maintenance and simple to propagate. To propagate, take a whole leaf or cut one into sections a few inches long and push each piece about ½-inch into moist potting medium. Although they grow slowly, adding multiple pieces to a pot can help them fill in faster.
African Violets, or Saintpaulia ionantha, prefer bright indirect sunlight and well-draining slightly acidic soil. This plant can be propagated from just one leaf. Cut off a mature leaf at the base and root it in water or soil. Placing several leaves together in a pot can expedite the process of creating a new plant.
Various herbs, under the botanical name of Various, thrive in full sun and average well-draining soil. Different types of herbs can be propagated, with basil easily rooting in water and woodier herbs like rosemary and lavender doing better when propagated in soil. To propagate these plants, snip a 2 to 3-inch stem piece, remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and insert into moist potting mix. This method is ideal for overwintering favorite herbs when pots are too large to bring indoors.
Tradescantia plants, also known as Tradescantia spp, require bright indirect sunlight and well-draining rich soil. To propagate this purple trailing plant, take a cutting with at least one node, push it into soil, and wait for roots to develop. While cuttings can be rooted in water, this plant typically thrives when propagated directly in soil.
Aloe Vera plants, scientifically named Aloe vera, prefer bright indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. To propagate, gently separate baby plants emerging from the mother plant’s base or cut off a large stem and plant it in potting mix. Both methods help revitalize a plant that appears unkempt.
Holiday Cacti, including Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, Schlumbergera truncata, and Schlumbergera x buckleyi, thrive in bright indirect sunlight and well-draining rich soil. These plants are easy to propagate when trimming for more blooms or to tidy leggy stems. Simply save stem pieces, insert them into moist soil, and watch them grow.
String of Pearls, scientifically known as Senecio rowleyanus, require bright indirect sunlight and well-draining, preferably succulent mix soil. This succulent, resembling a beaded necklace, can appear scraggly as it ages. To rejuvenate it, take a stem cutting, let it dry slightly overnight, and plant it in moist potting mix. Adding multiple pieces around a sparse-looking container can enhance its appearance.
Corn plants, or Dracaena spp, thrive in bright indirect to moderate sunlight and well-draining soil. These plants, also called corn plants due to their strappy
To help your plants grow fuller, consider the following tips:
Aglaonema
– Botanical Name: Aglaonema spp
– Sunlight: Bright, moderate to low indirect light
– Soil: Well-draining
Aglaonema is a resilient plant that flourishes in low-light environments. If you notice it shedding lower leaves, you can rejuvenate it by trimming a 4 to 5-inch section of a stem. You can then choose to root it in water (which is a lengthier process) or dip the cut end in rooting hormone before planting it in moist potting soil.
Jade Plant
– Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
– Sunlight: Bright, indirect
– Soil: Well-draining
Jade plants tend to shed lower leaves as they mature. To address this, cut a stem piece with two to three nodes and a few leaves. Let the cutting dry out for a few days before planting the end in moist potting soil. Keep in mind that jade plants grow slowly, so it may take several years for your new plant to fully develop.
Prayer Plant
– Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura
– Sunlight: Bright, indirect
– Soil: Well-draining, rich
The vibrant leaves of the prayer plant make it a popular choice for sharing. Regular trimming helps maintain its bushy appearance, and you can propagate new plants from the cuttings. Ensure each cutting has a node and then root them in either water or soil.
For more plant care tips, check out the original article on Southern Living.
