Propagating houseplants from cuttings is a simple and rewarding way to expand your indoor garden without spending a lot of money on new plants. Many common houseplants can be easily propagated by taking stem or leaf cuttings and rooting them in water or soil. Here are 12 houseplants that readily propagate from cuttings, along with tips for successful propagation:
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum):
- Snip a section of the stem just below a node (where leaves emerge).
- Place the cutting in water and wait for roots to develop before transplanting into soil.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):
- Remove a small plantlet or cut a section of the stem with roots attached.
- Plant the cutting directly into moist potting soil, keeping it well-watered until roots establish.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):
- Cut a leaf into sections, making sure each section has a portion of the rhizome (horizontal stem).
- Plant the leaf sections horizontally in soil, burying them just beneath the surface.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia):
- Take a stem cutting with several leaflets and allow the cut end to dry for a day.
- Plant the cutting in well-draining soil and keep it lightly moist until roots form.
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata):
- Snip off a healthy stem segment and remove the lower leaves.
- Let the cutting dry for a day, then plant it in a well-draining soil mix.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica):
- Cut a healthy stem section with at least one leaf node.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional) and plant it in a pot with moist soil.
- Philodendron:
- Cut a section of stem with at least one node and a few leaves.
- Place the cutting in water or directly into soil, ensuring the node is below the soil surface.
- African Violet (Saintpaulia):
- Snip off a healthy leaf with a short stem attached.
- Dip the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in a small pot of moist, well-draining soil.
- Tradescantia (Spiderwort):
- Take stem cuttings with a few leaf nodes and remove the lower leaves.
- Plant the cuttings in water or soil and keep them moist until roots appear.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix):
- Cut a section of stem with at least two nodes and remove the lower leaves.
- Root the cutting in water or soil, ensuring the node is submerged or buried.
- Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides):
- Snip off a stem cutting just below a node and remove the lower leaves.
- Plant the cutting in soil or water and provide consistent moisture until roots develop.
- Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina):
- Take stem cuttings with a few nodes and remove the lower leaves.
- Root the cuttings in water or soil, ensuring they remain moist until roots form.
With these easy-to-follow steps, you can propagate a variety of houseplants from cuttings and expand your indoor greenery collection with minimal effort. Experiment with different plants and propagation methods to find what works best for you, and enjoy watching your new plants grow and thrive!