Green Living
How to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!
December 23, 2020
If you’re looking to turn your home into a plant-filled paradise, one way to grow your plant collection – literally! – is by propagating plants you already have. Propagation is a process by which you can create new baby plants from mother plants you already own. There are a number of ways to go about it, and although the process can feel daunting, it’s actually fun and easy, especially if you keep these 15 tips in mind.
Green Living
How to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!
December 23, 2020
If you’re looking to turn your home into a plant-filled paradise, one way to grow your plant collection – literally! – is by propagating plants you already have. Propagation is a process by which you can create new baby plants from mother plants you already own. There are a number of ways to go about it, and although the process can feel daunting, it’s actually fun and easy, especially if you keep these 15 tips in mind.
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There Are Three Ways to Propagate
1/15There Are Three Ways to Propagate
1/15Photo Credit: Unsplash
When it comes to plant propagation, there are three different methods. Water propagation entails taking a plant cutting and propagating plants in water; soil propagation is similar but entails propagating plants in soil, and propagation by division means dividing an existing plant in two to create two separate plants. Which method you use depends on your preferences and the plant you’re planning to propagate, but many popular houseplants – like monsteras, sansevierias, pothos, and hoyas – propagate well through water propagation.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!There Are Three Ways to Propagate
PHOTO 1 of 15READ LESS -When it comes to plant propagation, there are three different methods. Water propagation entails taking a plant cutting and propagating plants in water; soil propagation is similar but entails propagating plants in soil, and propagation by division means dividing an existing plant in two to create two separate plants. Which method you use depends on your preferences and the plant you’re planning to propagate, but many popular houseplants – like monsteras, sansevierias, pothos, and hoyas – propagate well through water propagation.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Always Propagate From a Healthy Mother Plant
2/15Always Propagate From a Healthy Mother Plant
2/15Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
No matter which way you choose to propagate your plant, your first step is to choose a plant propagate. Be sure to propagate from a healthy mother plant – like this philodendron in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/this-tiny-toront%E2%80%A6ss-in-diy-design-1943174/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home decor YouTuber Alexandra Gater’s stylish bathroom</a> – rather than one that’s struggling to adjust, or recovering from pests or over- or under-watering. This will ensure that the mother plant continues to thrive, and set the propagated cutting up for success.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Always Propagate From a Healthy Mother Plant
PHOTO 2 of 15READ LESS -No matter which way you choose to propagate your plant, your first step is to choose a plant propagate. Be sure to propagate from a healthy mother plant – like this philodendron in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/this-tiny-toront%E2%80%A6ss-in-diy-design-1943174/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home decor YouTuber Alexandra Gater’s stylish bathroom</a> – rather than one that’s struggling to adjust, or recovering from pests or over- or under-watering. This will ensure that the mother plant continues to thrive, and set the propagated cutting up for success.Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
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Use a Sharp, Clean Knife to Make Your Cutting
3/15Use a Sharp, Clean Knife to Make Your Cutting
3/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Using the right tools for propagation can help set your new plants up for success. A sharp knife or pair of garden shears will make a quick and clean cut, which will ensure that the mother plant undergoes as little trauma as possible. Sterilize your shears or knife with some rubbing alcohol beforehand to avoid introducing any harmful fungus or bacterial to the mother plant or the cutting.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Use a Sharp, Clean Knife to Make Your Cutting
PHOTO 3 of 15READ LESS -Using the right tools for propagation can help set your new plants up for success. A sharp knife or pair of garden shears will make a quick and clean cut, which will ensure that the mother plant undergoes as little trauma as possible. Sterilize your shears or knife with some rubbing alcohol beforehand to avoid introducing any harmful fungus or bacterial to the mother plant or the cutting.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Take a Cutting at an Angle
4/15Take a Cutting at an Angle
4/15Photo Credit: Amanda Roberts
When taking a plant cutting for propagation, you’ll want to make the cut at about a 45 degree angle. Whether you put the cutting in a jar of water or a pot of soil, this ensures that the end won’t sit flush against the side of the container and prevent the cutting from sprouting roots. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Take a Cutting at an Angle
PHOTO 4 of 15READ LESS -When taking a plant cutting for propagation, you’ll want to make the cut at about a 45 degree angle. Whether you put the cutting in a jar of water or a pot of soil, this ensures that the end won’t sit flush against the side of the container and prevent the cutting from sprouting roots. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Photo Credit: Amanda Roberts
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You Don’t Necessarily Need to Use Rooting Hormone
5/15You Don’t Necessarily Need to Use Rooting Hormone
5/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Rooting hormone is a powdered hormone meant to make propagation easier by encouraging cuttings to develop roots. This is nice to have, but isn’t absolutely necessary. Cuttings will root naturally without it, it may just take a little longer. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/best-online-plant-stores-canada-1939786/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Support Local: The Best Online Plant Stores in Canada</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!You Don’t Necessarily Need to Use Rooting Hormone
PHOTO 5 of 15READ LESS -Rooting hormone is a powdered hormone meant to make propagation easier by encouraging cuttings to develop roots. This is nice to have, but isn’t absolutely necessary. Cuttings will root naturally without it, it may just take a little longer. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/best-online-plant-stores-canada-1939786/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Support Local: The Best Online Plant Stores in Canada</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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For Most Plants, Be Sure That Your Cutting Includes a Node
6/15For Most Plants, Be Sure That Your Cutting Includes a Node
6/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
A node is slightly thicker, knuckle-like structure on the stem of most plants. When taking a cutting from a plant to propagate, make your cutting right below a node, as this is the area that will develop roots. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/weird-plant-tips-for-your-home-and-garden-that-work-1917397/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weird Plant Tips for Your Home and Garden That Actually Work</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Most Plants, Be Sure That Your Cutting Includes a Node
PHOTO 6 of 15READ LESS -A node is slightly thicker, knuckle-like structure on the stem of most plants. When taking a cutting from a plant to propagate, make your cutting right below a node, as this is the area that will develop roots. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/weird-plant-tips-for-your-home-and-garden-that-work-1917397/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weird Plant Tips for Your Home and Garden That Actually Work</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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For Plants with Air Roots, Ensure Your Cutting Includes an Air Root
7/15For Plants with Air Roots, Ensure Your Cutting Includes an Air Root
7/15Photo Credit: Unsplash
If you’re wondering how to propagate a monstera, keep in mind that monsteras have air roots to help them climb up other plants or trellises. Air roots convert easily to water roots and soil roots, so make your cutting right below an air root. You can then place your cutting in water or damp soil to allow the root system to further develop.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Plants with Air Roots, Ensure Your Cutting Includes an Air Root
PHOTO 7 of 15READ LESS -If you’re wondering how to propagate a monstera, keep in mind that monsteras have air roots to help them climb up other plants or trellises. Air roots convert easily to water roots and soil roots, so make your cutting right below an air root. You can then place your cutting in water or damp soil to allow the root system to further develop.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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You Can Sometimes Propagate More Than One Plant From Each Cutting
8/15You Can Sometimes Propagate More Than One Plant From Each Cutting
8/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
For vining plants with air roots like money plants (pothos) and swiss cheese plants (monstera adansonii), you can sometimes propagate more than one baby plant from one cutting. If your cutting has multiple nodes or multiple air roots, you can further cut it into segments with one node or air root per segment. Each segment will root on its own and become a new plant.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!You Can Sometimes Propagate More Than One Plant From Each Cutting
PHOTO 8 of 15READ LESS -For vining plants with air roots like money plants (pothos) and swiss cheese plants (monstera adansonii), you can sometimes propagate more than one baby plant from one cutting. If your cutting has multiple nodes or multiple air roots, you can further cut it into segments with one node or air root per segment. Each segment will root on its own and become a new plant.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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For Water Propagation, Change the Water Frequently
9/15For Water Propagation, Change the Water Frequently
9/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
One perk of water propagation is that you get to watch the roots develop. Check the roots and change the water frequently – every week or two – to prevent the cutting from growing mold. If you do see mold, throw it away and try again with a fresh cutting.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Water Propagation, Change the Water Frequently
PHOTO 9 of 15READ LESS -One perk of water propagation is that you get to watch the roots develop. Check the roots and change the water frequently – every week or two – to prevent the cutting from growing mold. If you do see mold, throw it away and try again with a fresh cutting.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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For Water Propagation, Keep Leaves Above Water
10/15For Water Propagation, Keep Leaves Above Water
10/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
When placing cuttings in a jar or vase of water, try to keep all leaves out of the water. If leaves are left to sit in water, they can rot and negatively affect root formation. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Water Propagation, Keep Leaves Above Water
PHOTO 10 of 15READ LESS -When placing cuttings in a jar or vase of water, try to keep all leaves out of the water. If leaves are left to sit in water, they can rot and negatively affect root formation. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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For Soil Propagation, Keep the Soil Damp
11/15For Soil Propagation, Keep the Soil Damp
11/15Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
Soil propagation is great for its ease and simplicity – you simply stick the cuttings in soil and wait for them to root. Keeping the soil damp will provide an ideal environment for roots to form. They make great decor while you wait, as in <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/insta-worthy-reno-boho-plants-1942568/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this gorgeous boho kitchen.</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Soil Propagation, Keep the Soil Damp
PHOTO 11 of 15READ LESS -Soil propagation is great for its ease and simplicity – you simply stick the cuttings in soil and wait for them to root. Keeping the soil damp will provide an ideal environment for roots to form. They make great decor while you wait, as in <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/insta-worthy-reno-boho-plants-1942568/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this gorgeous boho kitchen.</a>Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
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For Propagation by Division, Avoid Breaking Any Roots
12/15For Propagation by Division, Avoid Breaking Any Roots
12/15Photo Credit: Unsplash
Propagation by division is a great way to propagate plants that naturally form offshoots or baby plants, like the Instagram-famous pilea peperomioides. While separating the baby from the mother plant, try to disturb the mother plant’s roots as little as possible to ensure that it continues to thrive even after propagation.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!For Propagation by Division, Avoid Breaking Any Roots
PHOTO 12 of 15READ LESS -Propagation by division is a great way to propagate plants that naturally form offshoots or baby plants, like the Instagram-famous pilea peperomioides. While separating the baby from the mother plant, try to disturb the mother plant’s roots as little as possible to ensure that it continues to thrive even after propagation.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Give Your Propagations Lots of Light
13/15Give Your Propagations Lots of Light
13/15Photo Credit: Unsplash
Whichever propagation method you choose to use, ensure that your new propagations get lots of bright, indirect light. Root formation takes a lot of energy from a little leaf, and plants need lots of light to generate the energy they need. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/indoor-plants-thrive-low-light-1912891/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indoor Plants That Thrive on Low Light</a>Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Give Your Propagations Lots of Light
PHOTO 13 of 15READ LESS -Whichever propagation method you choose to use, ensure that your new propagations get lots of bright, indirect light. Root formation takes a lot of energy from a little leaf, and plants need lots of light to generate the energy they need. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/indoor-plants-thrive-low-light-1912891/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indoor Plants That Thrive on Low Light</a>Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Propagate Several Cuttings at a Time
14/15Propagate Several Cuttings at a Time
14/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
No matter how much love, light, or rooting hormone you give your propagations, there’s always a chance that cuttings will either rot or just not grow roots. To increase your success rate, don’t just take one cutting from each plant you hope to propagate. Instead, take several cuttings from each plant and place them in the same water or soil.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Propagate Several Cuttings at a Time
PHOTO 14 of 15READ LESS -No matter how much love, light, or rooting hormone you give your propagations, there’s always a chance that cuttings will either rot or just not grow roots. To increase your success rate, don’t just take one cutting from each plant you hope to propagate. Instead, take several cuttings from each plant and place them in the same water or soil.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Be Patient
15/15Be Patient
15/15Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
The saying “patience is a virtue” applies to propagation, as with many things in life. Although it’s fun to check your cuttings to see if roots have formed, don’t be discouraged if they don’t form right away. Depending on the plant, roots can take a few weeks to a few months to form. As long as there’s no mold or rotting, be patient and don’t give up hope! Before you know it, your home will be a gorgeous, <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/insta-worthy-reno-boho-plants-1942568/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plant-filled paradise</a>.Green LivingHow to Propagate Your Plants – Our Resident Plant Mom Reveals Her Top Tips!Be Patient
PHOTO 15 of 15READ LESS -The saying “patience is a virtue” applies to propagation, as with many things in life. Although it’s fun to check your cuttings to see if roots have formed, don’t be discouraged if they don’t form right away. Depending on the plant, roots can take a few weeks to a few months to form. As long as there’s no mold or rotting, be patient and don’t give up hope! Before you know it, your home will be a gorgeous, <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/insta-worthy-reno-boho-plants-1942568/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plant-filled paradise</a>.Photo Credit: Lauren KolynSource: laurenkolyn.com
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