I love gardening and caring for houseplants, but I freely admit that because of my schedule, my plants don’t often get the care they deserve. This is why I stick to easy to care for plants. This means I tend to have a lot of the same kinds of plants. Another reason I have a lot of the same plants is because I propagate the ones that I like and want to have more of. Here is a guide to Easy Plant Propagation:
Related: Low Maintenance Houseplants and 5 Essential Tips for their Care
There are several methods of plant propagation. The two easiest are division (separating multiple plants with separate roots systems that happen to be growing in clumps) and tip cuttings. These methods are also low stress to the plants themselves.
Division Propagation:
- Unpot the plant and untangle foliage as necessary.
- Brush off some of the soil around the roots.
- Pull apart the plant clumps you want to remove for repotting. If necessary cut apart with a knife.
- Be sure to divide the roots as evenly as possible between clumps.
- Repot the new clumps into fresh potting soil.
- Water plant thoroughly.
- Place newly potted plants in moderate light for about a week. After that, move the plant to an appropriate area for its lighting requirements.
Related: 10 Flowering Plants Toxic to Dogs & Cats
Tip Cutting Propagation: (Soil Method)
- Before making a tip cutting, examine the stem you will cut. Each new cutting should have at least (but not only) three nodes (the spot where the leaf connects to the stem).
- Cut near but not into the node. This reduces stress to the mother plant.
- Make the cut with a sharp knife just above the bottom node.
- Remove leaves still attached to the lower two nodes.
- Insert the cutting into a pot containing pre-moistened potting mix.
- Place a clear plastic bag over the cutting and put it in a brightly lit room but not in direct sunlight.
- When the new plant starts to spring its own new leaves, it has taken root and you can gradually open the bag a little bit each day until the plant is firmly established. This should be in about two weeks.
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Tip Cutting Propagation: (Water Method)
Instead of placing your cutting in potting soil, you place it in water. This traditional method is the way I always used to do propagation. I’ve since found out that it’s not the best way of propagating because the roots adapt to the aquatic environment. They then go through a lot of stress when the plant is repotted into potting soil. If you do end up using this method, plant your cutting into the potting soil as soon as you see the roots start to formulate.
Propagating your favorite plants is so easy. I’ve actually taken Aloe Vera plants that I’ve separated from clumps as well as Purple Heart Plant cuttings and placed them right on top of the dirt where I wanted to grow them as a ground cover. I know this is kind of lazy, but a few times when I was in a hurry and I knew I wouldn’t get to do it the proper way, I just did this. It worked just fine. Talk about Easy Plant Propagation!
Related: Eco-friendly Landscaping Practices
What plants do you find are the easiest to propagate? Which method do you use the most?
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Lisa is a mother of three lovely young women and is a new grandmother to a baby boy! She has been married to her high school sweetheart for more than thirty years. Lisa is originally from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, but has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1984. Running a small business for over 25 years and raising a family has made for a busy, busy life with many ups and downs; it’s definitely been an adventure.
Lisa’s always involved in one project or another whether it’s work related or serving her community. She also recently went back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Lisa tries to make every day a good day—that means learning something new, practicing kindness, and enjoying the present moment.
I do not at all have a green thumb! I always manage to kill whatever plants I attempt to have at my house.
I am the least green fingered person of all time. We bought new plants for the house last month and all four are dead already!
Plant progagation is an interesting topic for me especially because I have no idea about it but this sounds very interesting. I have started to learn gradually, few ‘home garden’ techniques, hopefully, next summer, I have my own garden and use these techniques.
Plant propagation is inexpensive and easy way to get new plants from already planted trees. You shared those ways will see to it and try to plant more.
I’ve been struggling with my plants because i wanted to something like getting new plants from the ones i have and by doing and i finally know how to do it by your blog, thank you
I am quite good in the garden. Problem is, I would get busy and then I would neglect my plants. Nobody else in the family likes to take care of the garden, or even just water the plants, so they end up dying just because I got busy with work. 🙁 Yes, when the garden is lush, everybody benefits from the fresh air.
I think I would be desperately terrified of plant cutting. I have had some issues with trimming plants before and they went south very fast.
I have to admit, my hubby is the avid gardener in our family, and he does great with everything plant-related. He finds it calming and rewarding, and keeps everything looking great – and he doesn’t mind that I just get to enjoy his hard work!
Admittedly, I am the world’s worst gardener. I start off well and with good intent but I tend to drop off pretty quickly.
Looks like you’ve been on several adventures and they all look so fun! I’m with you on talking about my self, I always find that hard to do. By the way, I love the pics of your puppy.
Aw thanks! He’s a sweet boy 🙂