A Guide to Propagating
Easily multiply your plant collection
There are many ways you can propagate your existing plants to multiply your plant babies. This is a cheap way to increase your greenery and further contribute to restoring the environment. It is a fun activity that is enjoyed by all ages and can be used to teach children about the environment and plant life. Here are just a few common ways you can propagate your plants.
Stem Cuttings
This method makes use of nodes. Nodes are bulges along the plant that leaves sprout from. However, when you take a cutting, the node will grow roots instead.
Which plants is this best for?
| Begonia | Sansevierias |
| Crassulas | Pothos |
| Umbrella Plant | Rosemary |
| Philodendron | Prayer plant |
| Monstera | Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) |
Method
+ Select a healthy stem on the parent plant and locate a node (where leaves are attached). Make a clean cut a few centimeters below the node, removing any leaves close to the cut area.
+ Place the cut end of the stem in a suitable medium, such as perlite, a soilless potting mix (a mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and sand), or water. The choice of medium depends on the specific plant species and your preference.
+ Keep the cutting hydrated, but ensure that the medium is not overly wet. Place the cutting in a bright location but away from direct sunlight until roots begin to form.
+ Once the roots have established and new growth is visible, transplant the rooted cutting into a pot filled with potting mix or directly into the ground.
Division
This is a simple method for plants that produce bulbs, rhizomes, suckers, stolons, or tubers.
Which plants can I use this for?
| Snake plants | Alocasias |
| Zamioculcas | Lilies |
| ZZ plant | Hosta |
Method
+ Gently remove the parent plant from its pot or the ground, taking care to minimize root damage.
+ Examine the root system and identify natural divisions or clusters of stems with their associated roots.
+ Carefully separate the roots and accompanying stems using your hands or a clean, sharp knife. If necessary, cut any connecting runners or rhizomes between the divided sections.
+ Repot each divided section into individual pots or plant them in the ground, ensuring they have adequate space to grow.
Repotting Pups
This method is used for plants that grow leaves that are “pups” and develop their own root system.
Which plants is this best for?
| Succulents | Aloe Vera Plant |
| Spider Plant | Bromeliads |
| Ponytail Plant | Echeveria |
Method
+ Select healthy and plump pups from the parent plant. These are the small offshoots or baby plants that grow at the base or on the stems of the parent plant.
+ Gently grasp the pup with your hands and wiggle it back and forth to loosen its connection to the parent plant. Carefully detach the pup along with its base from the parent plant without damaging the roots.
+ Allow the wound on the pup to dry out and heal. Keep the pup in a warm location, but away from direct sunlight. Wait until the base of the leaf has formed a callus or scab.
+ Plant the callused end of the pup in potting mix or lay it flat on the surface of the potting mix, depending on the type of plant.
+ Keep the newly planted pup out of direct sunlight and maintain a proper watering schedule. Ensure the soil is moist but not overly wet.
+ Once the pup has established roots and shown signs of growth, it can gradually be introduced to direct sunlight, depending on the specific light requirements of the plant species.
Air Layering
This is used for woody plants that are difficult to propagate by other methods. It stimulates root growth from a branch while still attached to the parent plant.
Which plants does this work best for?
| Azalea | Holly |
| Rododendron | Camellia |
| Magnolia | Roses |
| Forsythia | Honeysuckle |
| Boxwood | Wax myrtle |
| Fruit trees | Dracaena |
Method
+ Obtain sphagnum moss, which can be found at most garden centers or purchased online. This moss is often used for propagation due to its excellent moisture retention properties.
+ Soak the sphagnum moss in water and then squeeze out the excess moisture.
+ Choose a healthy branch on the plant and locate a node (where a leaf is attached). Make an upward-slanting cut about 2/3 of the way through the branch, just below the node.
+ Insert a small, rigid piece of plastic (such as a toothpick) into the cut to keep it open. This prevents the cut from healing and encourages root growth.
+ Wrap the moist sphagnum moss around the cut area on the branch.
+ Enclose the moss-covered cut with a plastic bag or plastic wrap, ensuring it's tightly sealed on both ends of the branch. This helps maintain the moisture in the moss.
+ Wait several weeks or months for roots to grow through the moss. + + Keep an eye on the progress by checking the roots through the plastic.
+ Once the roots are well developed, carefully cut the branch below the moss ball.
+ Gently plant the rooted cutting, along with the moss ball, in a pot filled with potting mix.
