When collecting houseplants, the journey doesn’t end with a single purchase - it evolves and multiplies through propagation! This age-old practice allows you to create new green generations, expanding your botanical families with ease. Let’s explore common methods of propagation and discover how this process can expand your collection without spending another dime!
Cuttings
Cuttings are one of the most common and accessible methods of propagation, offering a simple way to create new plants from existing ones. Leaf cuttings involve removing a leaf or leaf segment from a parent plant and encouraging it to develop roots. Stem cuttings involve taking a section of stem with one or more nodes and allowing it to root in a growing medium. Each method has its unique advantages and requirements but both offer exciting opportunities for expanding your collection and sharing the joy.
Leaf
Not all plants can create roots from leaf cuttings but some species can! Most succulents and certain Begonia, Peperomia, and Sansevieria varieties are capable. To propagate leaf cuttings, select a healthy leaf from the parent plant and gently remove it with sanitized shears.
For succulents, you can set the leaf on top of some soil (or tuck the base into it), offer regular waterings to keep the top few inches of the soil moist, and ensure bright light to encourage new roots.
Other houseplant species are a bit trickier to successfully propagate from leaf cuttings. You’ll need to give the leaf a trim (usually just a few inches) and pick a medium for rooting. In water, you’ll add the leaf - trimmed end in the water - and treat it as a normal water prop. Change the water frequently and keep it in bright light. When roots emerge and are a few inches long, you can pot the cutting up in some soil. In moss or another media, ensure the cutting stays moist and has access to bright light.
Stem
Stem cuttings are a great method of propagation for a wide range of species! To propagate using stem cuttings, choose a healthy stem section with several nodes (points where leaves emerge) and make a clean cut just below the node. Remove any lower leaves to expose the nodes and select a media.
Check out this guide on Water Propagation!
In your medium of choice, allow the roots to grow a few inches long and then pot up in a chunky, well-draining soil.
Layering
Layering is a propagation method that takes advantage of a plant’s natural ability to produce roots along its stems. By encouraging these aerial roots to take hold in soil or a growing medium, we can create new plants that remain attached to the parent plant until they are ready to be separated or even just create a fuller plant.
Simple
In simple layering, a bare stem is wound back into the soil to encourage additional growth. This method works best for leggy trailing plants like Pothos or Philodendrons. To start, identify the leafless sections of the stems and direct them back to the top of the soil - you can use gardening pins to attach them if they are stubborn. Keep the soil moist and offer bright light to encourage new roots and in turn, new growth points!
Air
Air layering involves enclosing a node in a moist medium while it’s still attached to the plant parent until roots or new growth forms. Moss, being the most common media, provides an ideal environment to encourage root growth before taking a cutting. You can wrap a healthy node with moss and enclose it with saran wrap (crafty!) or hard, plastic shells built just for this purpose and keep it moist until new roots form.
Corms
Often mistaken for bulbs or bugs, corms are stems under the soil that store nutrients and energy for the plant. Propagating from corms is a handy way to multiply certain species like Alocasias, Begonias, and Oxalis.
To prop from corms, carefully remove the corms from the soil and remove them from the main plant, careful not to damage them in the process. Inspect your bounty closely, choosing only the corms that show no signs of rot - soft or shriveled - and are of good size and shape.
Before planting, it’s essential to prepare the corms by removing the outer layer, known as the tunic 👕 The tunic serves as a protective covering for the corm but can delay new growth if left on. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or razor, carefully peel away the outer layer, taking care not to damage the inner tissue.
Once the corms have been cleaned and prepared, they can be planted! Moss, perlite, and even soil are great options for growing mediums. Bury the corm just below the surface with the pointy tip facing upward. Provide consistent moisture and warmth to encourage root development.
With the proper care and patience, your propagated corms will begin to sprout new shoots and roots - the start of a new growth cycle! As the plant matures, continue to offer care as the species requires and you’ll be rewarded with a grandchild - courtesy of your propagated corms!
