Propagating Your Houseplants

As winter descends, the daylight wanes, and perhaps you've accidentally showered your houseplants with a little too much affection, you may have noticed signs of wear and tear. While the occasional yellow leaf isn't cause for alarm, the best way to safeguard your cherished plant collection is through propagation. Now, you might be thinking, "Propagation should only happen in spring or when plants are actively growing," but fear not; you can propagate during winter; it just requires a bit more patience.

How to propagate your houseplants:

Propagation isn't just practical; it's downright enjoyable, and the best part? It can lead to free plants! 🌱✂️ There are various methods to propagate houseplants, so let's explore a few:

Stem cutting

Before you grab your scissors, identify the nodes - those little points along the stem where the leaves are attached. Always make your cuttings on the internode, the stem area between two nodes. Use a sharp tool to cut diagonally, ensuring you don't trim too close to the node, as this is where your plant's roots will sprout

Internodal stem cutting

This method is tried and tested and works best on hanging and vining plants like Monsteras, Philodendrons, Pothos, Syngoniums & even Marantas. If you make a cutting between two nodes, you’re able to make many new plants from the parent. From experience we find that these sorts of cuttings root better using water.

All you have to do is use a vessel like an old wine bottle or even a jam jar, make sure they’re clean & refresh the water every 1-2 weeks. Make sure to allow the roots to grow about an inch before potting up.

 Alternatively, you can place your cutting horizontally, so that the node is in contact with the potting media, while the leaves remain on the top layer. You can use a hair pin to secure it to the soil.

Stem tip or apical cutting

In this method, you will make just one cut per growing stem and your cutting will include the growing tip of the plant. Make sure to cut above a node. Carefully remove any leaves from the lower node and nestle the cutting vertically into the potting mix. Again like above you can propagate by using water.

Leaf Cutting

Propagating from leaf cuttings results in entirely new baby plants that grow from the base of the leaf.  When choosing a leaf to snip off look for the plumpest, healthiest & grown to full size to make your cutting from. When your new plant has developed a good root system you can remove the parent leaf.

Leaf with petiole

A petiole is the stalk of the leaf that is attached to the plant stem. For plants like hoyas & peperomia, the easiest method is to snip off healthy new leaves making sure you cut on the petiole close to the stem. Nestle the petiole into some potting mix.

Leaf without petiole

Some plants’ leaves don’t have a petiole and are attached directly to the stem. Ever noticed sometimes you’ll see a leaf that has fallen off and has started to grow a new plant? Some Succulents like jades & echeveria can be propagated by gently removing a leaf from the stem, setting the leaf cut side down into the soil just deep enough so the leaf is supported in a vertical position. Remember succulents are slow growing & need a little patience!

To give your cuttings an extra boost you could use some rooting hormone.

Propagation Box

If you’d prefer to have all of your cuttings in one place and don’t want to litter your windowsills with wine bottles & containers we recommend creating a propagation box.

They’re simple to make so here’s we make ours.

1. Start by choosing a clear box that allows ventilation
2. Add a layer of drainage to the bottom.
3. Add some damp sphagnum moss
4. Add your cuttings.
5. Place in a warm bright spot like a windowsill or under a grow light and wait for your roots to grow!

Our Top Tips for a Successful Propagation

🌱 Keep your moss or growing medium consistently moist, avoiding both dryness and sogginess.

🌱 Ensure there's adequate airflow, no matter which method you choose.

🌱 If using the water method, remember to refresh the water regularly.

🌱 Boost your cuttings with nutrients by adding some fertilizer.

🌱 Light is essential! Avoid relegating your cuttings to a dark corner.

 

Good luck & don’t forget to let us know on socials if you’ve decided to experiment! ✂️