Propagating Indoor Plants: Five Easy Ways to Grow Your Collection

 

Whether you want to expand your collection or make gifts for your family and friends, there is something especially satisfying about creating new plants from the ones you already possess.

Different houseplants prefer different propagation methods. Some root happily in a glass of water, while others are best divided or planted directly into soil. We will share the easiest propagation methods, so easy that you can plan activities with children too.  Here are five of the most popular indoor plants we stock at Windyridge and the simplest way to propagate each one.

Tradescantia: Propagating Cuttings in Water

Tradescantia is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate, making it a great choice for beginners. Its trailing stems develop roots quickly and watching them grow in water is part of the fun.

Choose a healthy stem and cut a section approximately 8–12 cm long, making the cut just below a node — the point where a leaf joins the stem. Remove the leaves from the lower part of the cutting so that no foliage will sit below the waterline as they may rot in the water and cause issues and fungal diseases.

Prepared tradescantia cuttings, photo © Windyridge garden centre.

 

Place the cutting in a small glass or jar of fresh water, making sure at least one node is submerged. Keep it in a bright spot away from strong direct sunlight.

Roots should begin to appear before long. Change the water regularly to keep it fresh, at least once a week. You can also place charcoal in the water to keep it clean as it acts as a filter. Once the cutting has developed a good network of roots, plant it into a pot of houseplant compost and water well.

The transfer from water to soil is probably the trickiest part of the propagation process as the plants needs to accustom itself to its new growing medium. Water well the first week or two to make sure that your young plant does not get a shock.

For a fuller-looking plant, take several cuttings and plant them together in the same pot.

Gardening tip: What is a node? Nodes can look different from one plant to another. Some have nodes on their stems, others on their submerged parts and identifying them is key for propagation. For most plants with nodes above ground, these resemble joints dividing the stems in sections. These are often at the base of the leaves.

Highlighted nodes on Tradescantia, Ceropegia Woodii and Epipremnum (from left to right), photo © Windyridge garden centre.

 

 

Asparagus Fern: Propagating by Division

Potted Asparagus Setaceus, Photo by BIlly Xue

 

The Asparagus fern, with its graceful foliage, is an ever popular indoor plant. The Asparagus Setaceus, is not actually a fern, despite its name, it is from the lily family, and like most lilies it is toxic to humans and pets so you might keep it away from young children or grow it in a hanging basket. It is an easy to grow plant if you can provide sufficient moisture (be mindfully not to over water either) and a bright spot. A bathroom is ideal.

If your plant is very happy, it will produce flowers and berries, although it is rare indoors. The berries contain seeds that you can plant, however, the division of the plant, remains the best way to propagate it.

Begin by removing the plant carefully from its pot. Gently loosen some of the compost around the roots so you can see the natural sections of the plant.

Using your hands, or a clean knife for a particularly dense root ball, divide the plant into smaller sections. Each section should have healthy roots and several stems or growing points attached.

Division of an Asparagus Fern, photo © Windyridge garden centre.

 

Pot each division into fresh compost at approximately the same depth as the original plant. Water thoroughly and place the newly divided plants somewhere with bright, indirect light while they settle in.

Division can also be a useful way to rejuvenate an asparagus plant that has become large or crowded in its pot.

NB: Despite their airy and soft look, Asparagus ferns have thorns on their old wood, use gloves when handling.

 

Sansevieria: Propagating Leaf Cuttings in Soil

Sansevieria, often called snake plant or Mother-in-law’s tongue, can be propagated from sections of its thick, upright leaves. Not only this plant is extremely easy to grow as it can tolerate low light levels and missed waterings, but it is also very easy to propagate.

Select a healthy mature leaf and cut it close to the base. Divide the leaf into sections around 5–10 cm long. The leaf used here had a bit of damage, so we use only the top part. It is important to remember which end of each section was originally pointing downwards, as this is the end that should be planted into the compost. The inverted V shape cut is a good way to remember; it also creates a larger surface for new roots and shoots to grow.

Sansevieria cutting, photo © Windyridge garden centre.

Prepared sansevieria cutting, photo © Windyridge garden centre.

Allow the cut edges to dry for a day or two before planting. This gives them time to callus and can help reduce the risk of rot. You will do this for succulent’s cuttings in general.

Insert the bottom (with the inverted V shape) of each cutting a few centimetres into a free-draining potting mix. Use a mix of sand, compost and perlite to ensure good drainage. Keep the compost lightly moist rather than wet, and place the pot somewhere warm with bright, indirect light.

Patience is important with Sansevieria. Root and shoot development can take considerably longer than with fast-growing plants such as Tradescantia.

NB: If you are propagating a variegated variety, note that the new shoots from the leaf cutting might be green, we would say that they have reverted to the original colour. If you wish to keep the colouring, dividing the plant is a better method.

 

Chlorophytum: Dividing the “Babies”

Chlorophytum, better known as the spider plant, is a de-polluting powerhouse, absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, xylene, and many other hazardous gases. It is also safe  for children and pets so definitely a must-have in the house. As for propagation, it practically does it for you. Mature plants produce long arching stems carrying small plantlets, often called “babies” or spiderettes.

Young ‘Spiderette’ on a chlorophytum. Photo © Windyridge garden centre.

Wait until a baby has developed several leaves and, ideally, small visible roots. It can then be snipped from the parent plant and planted directly into a small pot of compost.

Water gently and keep the young plant in bright, indirect light while its root system becomes established.

You can also leave the baby attached to the parent while encouraging it to root. Place a small pot of compost beside the mother plant and rest the plantlet on the surface, securing it gently if necessary. Once it has rooted into its new pot, cut the connecting stem.

Spider plants grow enthusiastically, so before long your original plant may provide enough babies to fill several pots — or supply plenty of gifts for friends.

 

Monstera: Taking Cuttings with Aerial Roots

 

The Monstera or Cheesecake plant has become increasingly popular. It is a staple for whoever wants to create an indoor jungle, and it is quite easy to grow, even in low light settings. The smaller varieties can be grown in hanging baskets while the more generous ones will benefit from a sturdy moss pole to climb on.

Monstera plants naturally produce aerial roots along their stems. These roots help the plant climb in the wild and can also make propagation easier.

Monstera cutting with 3 nodes and 2 aerial roots. Photo © Windyridge garden centre.

 

When choosing a cutting, look for a healthy section of stem containing at least one node. A node is essential: a Monstera leaf on its own may survive for some time and can sometimes produce roots, but without a node it cannot develop into a complete new plant.

Ideally, choose a cutting that also has an aerial root already emerging from the node.

Monstera cutting close-up with 2 nodes and 2 aerial roots. Photo © Windyridge garden centre.

Make a clean cut below the node using sharp, clean secateurs or scissors. The cutting can then be rooted in water or planted into a suitable, airy growing medium. If using water, keep the node and aerial root submerged while keeping the leaf above the surface.

Place the cutting somewhere warm with plenty of bright, indirect light and refresh the water regularly. Once a healthy root system has developed, transfer the cutting into a pot containing a well-draining houseplant mix.

 

A Few Propagation Tips

Whatever plant you are propagating, start with healthy parent material. A healthy mum plant will produce healthy babies! Make sure to use sharp and clean tools. If you use your secateurs outdoors too, scrub them well before you start and wipe them with alcohol.

Cuttings will root better and faster in Summer (or Spring). Warmth combined with a good light are essential for your cuttings to start producing new roots and shoots. In other words, propagate your plants during the growing season when your plants are actively growing.

Most importantly, give your new plants time. Some produce roots surprisingly quickly, while others may appear to do very little for several weeks before new growth begins.

Potting on is probably the trickiest part of propagation. If you are propagating your plants in water, make sure to water well the first few weeks after you have transferred them into soil. You can also keep growing your plants in water if you want. Routs themselves are also highly decorative. If you opt for this option, be mindful to change the water regularly to avoid fungus or other diseases.

Rooted Epipremnum cutting, Photo by Shoeib Abolhassani

Propagation is part science, part patience, and part experimentation. Once you see the first new roots or shoots emerging, it can quickly become one of the most rewarding parts of keeping indoor plants.

And before you know it, one plant has become two — and two may soon become an entire collection.