All 4 Ways to Propagate a Philodendron Step-by-Step
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Propagating your Philodendron is a great way to surprise your friend that always comments about how much they like the variegation on your plant, to add some greenery to a new space like your kitchen or living room, or because the Philodendron is outgrowing its container and you need to make space. Philodendron happens to be one of the easiest tropical houseplants to propagate.
There are four easy options including:
Stem cuttings in water or potting mix,
Root division
Air layering
Stem cuttings in water or soil are the easiest way as you only have to snip a piece of the plant off, while root division requires a mature plant with a strongly developed root system. Air layering is the most complex making it perfect for advanced plant parents with some patience, and is also the best option for rare variegations which we share below.
Fun fact: Philodendron means “tree lover” in Greek and earned this namesake for climbing trees in the wild.
Below you’ll find instructions on how to propagate your Philodendron with all four methods.
Table of Contents
Stem Cuttings
Propagating a Philodendron using stem cuttings is the easiest and most popular method. Using a potting mix takes a bit longer for roots to form, but it also reduces the risk of shocking the plant during transplanting compared to water propagation. So if you have the extra couple weeks, go with potting mix over water.
You will need:
1 pair of sharp gardening shears or scissors
A clear glass of water or a clear vase if using water propagation
A Philodendron plant with strong vines
A container with well-draining potting mix for potting mix propagation
Water propagation
Start by cutting a section of the Philodendron vine choosing at least 1 or 2 nodes and 1 to 3 leaves per cutting.
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Make sure your cutting is long enough to sit comfortably without falling out in the glass you’ve chosen and that no leaves will be in the water.
Use a clear glass or vase so you can inspect for mold and root rot more easily.
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Place the cuttings in a glass or vase with water for 2 to 3 weeks until roots form.
Top off the water to keep the nodes covered as needed and keep the cutting in a place with bright, indirect light.
Once roots have formed, transfer the cutting into a container with a well-draining potting mix.
Pro-tip: Wait until the roots branch out with additional side roots sprouting from the taproots before transplanting. This ensures the root system is strong enough and will adapt easily to soil.
Soil propagation
Cut a vine off of the parent plant with at least 1 or 2 nodes and 1 to 3 leaves per cutting.
Use a well-draining potting mix in your container and plant the cutting directly in moist soil that allows for the base of the cutting to have room to sprout outwards and downwards by at least an inch.
Keep the soil lightly moist and place the cutting in an area with bright, indirect light.
This method takes longer for roots to form than the water propagation method, usually around 4-6 weeks, so be patient. If you want faster results, roots can start to form in water in as soon as 7 days and then be transplanted to potting mix.
Fun fact: The nodes on the Philodendron are used to grab on to trees in its natural habitat and help the plant climb upward. The nodes are poised to develop roots, which makes them easier to propagate as houseplants.
Root division
Root division doesn’t grow any new plants from your mother Philodendron. Instead, it is a great way to get additional smaller plants out of your mature Philodendron.
You’ll know if your Philodendron is mature enough for this method if your plant has multiple stems and separate growing points, established roots, or a crowded root ball. As long as your plant has plenty of stems, roots, and new growth, it will be able to be divided.
You will need:
2 containers that are 4 inches or larger
Well-draining potting mix
A sink or bowl
A mature Philodendron
Here’s how to divide your Philodendron into 2 or more new plants:
Once your Philodendron is removed from its container, start from the bottom and loosen any potting mix stuck to the roots up to the top.
Look for areas of the plant where it has developed multiple stems or crowns, or look for separation between the roots. This is a natural breaking point to divide your plant.
Gently separate the plant in half so each new half should have several roots, stems, and leaves. It’s ok if the roots break or tear, they’re sturdy!
Place each half into its own container with new potting mix.
Water the plants thoroughly until water comes out from the drainage holes in your container.
Pro-tip: This method works best for mature Philodendrons or clumping Philodendrons without many long vines as it reduces the competition for nutrients and water, as well as crowding in the container.
Air layering
The air layering method allows you to keep your Philodendron stems fully intact and encourages roots to develop while attached to the mother plant. This is best used for rare variegations or valuable plants because it keeps the plant attached to the stem, so if roots don’t develop, you haven’t wasted a cutting. It also ensures the plant has enough nutrients and can keep easily growing when attached to the mother plant.
You will need:
- Sphagnum moss
Clear plastic wrap
Plant tape or twist ties
Water
Once you have the materials, here is how to air layer your Philodendron.
Prepare some moist sphagnum moss by soaking it in water, then wringing it out so it's moist but not dripping wet.
Select a mature, healthy section of stem with a visible node.
Wrap the node with moss, making sure the node is completely covered.
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Wrap the moss with clear plastic wrap and secure it above and below the node with twist ties, string, or plant tape.
The plastic keeps the moisture around the node while allowing you to see the roots as they develop.
Place the plant in bright, indirect light and continue caring for it normally. Check the moss periodically and add water if the moss dries out.
Over the next several weeks, roots should begin developing inside the moss. Depending on the plant and growing conditions, this can take several weeks or longer.
The roots only need to be around 1-2 inches in length before they’re ready to be transplanted. Once there’s a healthy cluster of roots, you can cut the node from the Philodendron and plant it in its new pot.
Propagating your Philodendron is an easy, affordable way to grow your plant collection or to have a unique gift from the heart for friends and family. Whether you choose to do water or soil propagation, root division, or want to try air layering for your special variegation, propagating your Philodendron only requires a few simple steps.
