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More people are propagating houseplants, and there are plenty of great reasons why. Not only do plants help purify the air and enhance a space with vibrant color, but they may actually lower anxiety, according to a study published by the American Society for Horticulture Science. Can you blame a plant parent for wanting more of a good thing?
Not to mention, plant propagation is great for helping expand a collection of hard-to-find houseplants. When it comes to rare houseplant varieties, plant parents know local nurseries might not always have what you’re looking for. Majula pothos, black dragon snake plant, and the white variegated monstera are just some varieties of more popular houseplants difficult to find but easy to propagate with expert advice. For example, when sticking leaf cuttings in water, you’ll want to switch out the water every couple of days to maintain higher oxygen levels, experts say.
So, if you have a rare or beloved houseplant—or you just want to share the gift of plant parenthood—grow more houseplants through plant propagation. Read on for our simple guide to propagating five of the most popular houseplants in three easy steps.
Watermelon peperomia
Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) is a tropical plant that grows naturally in damp rainforest undergrowth. According to Brody Hall, cofounder of the Indoor Nursery in Queensland, Australia, peperomia plants can be propagated using two methods: stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. Although peperomia can be propagated in damp soil, both stem and leaf cuttings flourish best in water propagation, adds Hilton Carter a plant stylist and Magnolia Workshops course instructor in Baltimore. Carter emphasizes the importance of thinking about lighting when working with stem cuttings. “The best thing for propagating is to make sure you have your cuttings in bright indirect light and that you’re changing out the water weekly,” he says.
To use the stem cutting method, you’ll need:
- A watermelon peperomia plant
- A clear glass (or plastic) cup of water
- Garden shears for cutting
- Potting soil
Cut off a leaf stalk from the watermelon peperomia using the scissors or shears. No need to look for a node (or the beginnings of a root) when making the cut, Hall says. Be sure to leave at least one to two inches of the stalk left on the plant (this will allow the plant to eventually grow another leaf).
Change out the water once a week to prevent bacteria or pests from hurting your cutting’s new roots as they form. “A rooting hormone can be used, but it is generally not necessary, as peperomia plants respond well to water propagation,” Hall says. Be careful when switching out the water once the roots of the watermelon peperomia begin to form, as they can be very delicate.
Once the cutting has healthy roots of about three inches in length, remove the cutting from the water. Use new potting soil, fill the planter almost to the top. Dig a small hole at least one inch deep and one inch wide for the planting. Place gently and top with soil. Water.
Snake plant
The hardy snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is often used to accentuate modern decor. Another reason for the plant’s popularity is that it is so easy to propagate. You can take a single snake plant and propagate it to fill every low-light corner—these plants basically thrive in neglect. Plant expert and Missouri State University clinical instructor of agriculture Jennifer Morganthaler places her leaf cuttings in damp soil for the best results. Though these plants are easy to propagate, Morganthaler says to leave the leaf cutting out a couple of days to dry, so it can form a clear callus. “This helps prevent spreading any bacteria from the soil and reduces the chance of rot,” she points out.
To use the leaf cutting method, you’ll need:
- A snake plant
- A pot full of moist potting soil
- Shears or scissors for cutting
- Soil probe
- Potting soil
Choose a healthy leaf from the snake plant, making sure the leaf isn’t damaged in any way. Using shears or scissors, cut off the healthy leaf near its base.
Allow the cut end to dry for about two days until the callus forms.
Fill planter with fresh potting soil, place the callus end into soil. Water plant thoroughly every week, checking to make sure the first two inches of soil are moist. You can use a soil probe to ensure the soil has the right amount of water—too much and the roots may become waterlogged. Roots should start to form in about one month, Morganthaler says.
Rex begonia
Rex begonias (Begonia rex-cultorumare) are known for their interesting foliage ranging in color from splashes of red to a purplish hue. Their small size renders them great as terrarium plants, and they really thrive in high humidity. Despite their exotic look, these plants are quite easy to propagate. “I think new hobbyists are sometimes surprised at how easy propagating begonias can be,” says Jennifer Coates of Jenn of the Jungle. “You don’t even need a stem or a full leaf; instead, you can propagate half of a leaf.”
To use the half-leaf cutting method, you’ll need:
- A rex begonia plant
- A pot full of damp soil
- Scissors and a boxcutter for precision cuts
- Sewing pins
- Potting soil
- Plastic wrap
Cut leaf from the plant. Flip the leaf so the back is facing up, Coates advises. This will help you find the veins. “Cut slits along the veins, using a boxcutter,” she says. But be sure to make a half-inch cut across four or five of the larger veins, as opposed to the smaller veins. These cuts will be where the new plantlets will grow.
Lay the cut leaf flat on slightly damp soil in a pot. To ensure the cuts in the leaf are touching the soil, space sewing pins evenly across your plant, gently pushing them through the leaf into the soil so as not to tear the leaf. Work with as many pins as you need to keep the leaf in place. Avoid placing a pin through any major leaf veins, as this will prevent that vein from rooting.
Cover the pot in plastic wrap to give your leaf plenty of humidity. Water the soil once a week but mist the leaf itself every couple of days to ensure the roots will grow.
Rabbit’s foot fern
Of all the ferns in the Polypodiaceae family, rabbit’s foot (Davallia Fejeensis) is one of the more commonly found houseplants in people’s homes. It gets its name from the fuzzy stems, or rhizomes, that grow on top of the soil. If placed in a hanging pot, these rhizomes tend to grow over the edge, adding additional dimension to the plant’s look. Patti Teachout, a production manager at LiveTrends Design Group in Winter Garden, Florida, says rabbit’s foot ferns can be propagated from rhizome cuttings.
To use the rhizome cutting method, you’ll need:
- A rabbit’s foot fern
- Scissors
- A pot full of damp potting soil
Look for a rhizome sitting on top of the soil’s surface. You will need to be delicate with the rhizomes. “Gently peel it up enough to where a three-inch section can easily be cut from the plant,” Teachout says.
Trim the tip of the wing point of the rhizome by cutting it off and discarding it. “This is done so the cutting will produce roots and plantlets along the rhizome,” Teachout says. Next, place the harvested cutting in a shallow hole (about three inches deep) in your pot and cover with the soil. For best results, cover pot with plastic wrap to keep the humidity up.
Lightly mist the planting every couple of days, making sure not to overly saturate the soil with water. Roots should begin to grow in three or four weeks. You should be able to see small leaves in two to four weeks after rooting starts.
Barrel cactus
Covered with long spines, the barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is a prickly houseplant. But they love the sun, and, like most columnar cacti, a cut section can easily yield a new plant. According to Brooke Blocker, a plant professional at Outside In in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “cacti are prone to naturally and unintentionally losing a segment here and there. And I’m always surprised by how easily the broken limbs root, creating a whole new plant!” She propagates her cacti by planting them directly into shallow soil. Sonja Detrinidad, owner of Partly Sunny Projects in San Diego, agrees that cacti are very easy to propagate, but suggests reserving their propagation for warmer months, as this is their growing season.
To use the cut-section method, you’ll need:
Cut off the top of the cactus. “I prefer a serrated knife for the task,” Detrinidad says. Once you have your cutting, dip the cut end in sulfur to prevent rot. Let the cutting callus before planting. Depending on the cutting’s size, this may take a week to several months, Detrinidad says. Leave the cutting out of direct sunlight to prevent it from drying out.
Once callused, the cutting should be placed in a pot full of cactus mix. Leave the cutting placed in the soil but close to the surface.
Check on the cutting every so often to see if the plant has signs of roots. For the first couple of months water more frequently, around once a week, until the drought-tolerant plant is established,” Blocker says.
