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From one to many: A beginner's
guide to plant propagation
[February 28, 2025]
Many indoor gardeners quickly discover that one
houseplant is rarely enough. What begins as an admiration for a
charming or unique plant often evolves into a strong desire, or even
a need, to fill every corner of a home or office with lush greenery.
A simple and cost-effective way to grow any collection is by
propagating existing plants.
Propagation is the process of growing new plants from existing ones
through seeds, sexual, or vegetatively with plant parts, asexual.
Stems, leaves, or roots that are removed from parent plants to root
and form new plants are referred to as cuttings. This is an
inexpensive and effortless way to get more plants without stretching
the pocketbook.
The best time to propagate houseplants is early spring, March
through April, but it can be done throughout the year. Large
houseplants, outgrowing their space, are perfect for propagation.
Use the cuttings to grow newly rooted plants that can be shared with
other gardeners.
Before Propagating
When propagating, always use sterilized tools and containers in a
clean space for the greatest chance of success. A high-quality
potting mix will provide adequate moisture-holding capacity and good
drainage without allowing cuttings to dry out or rot. Many plants
will also develop roots in a container of water, changed out with
fresh water every 3 to 5 days. Before starting, make sure any
propagated plant material is healthy and free of pests and disease.
Taking Cuttings
Tip cuttings are taken by selecting a healthy, 3 to 5-inch shoot
with four to six leaves.
• With sharp pruners or snips, cut directly below a leaf node or
where the leaf is attached to the stem.
• Remove any flowers or buds and the bottom two to four leaves.
• Insert the lower portion of the cutting into a container of moist
potting soil.
Take several cuttings to increase the chance of one rooting and
growing into a viable plant. Most houseplants can be propagated by
tip cuttings, including snake plants, croton, peperomia, pothos, and
philodendron.
Begonias and African violets are commonly propagated by leaf
cuttings. This process includes one leaf blade and sometimes the
petiole or leaf stalk. Using a sharp knife, slice horizontally
across the main leaf vein and then lay the cutting flat on the soil
with the vein side down. Roots will develop at the cut point along
the vein.
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A simple and cost-effective way to grow any collection of houseplants this
spring is by propagating using existing plants. Photo by Jenna Braasch, Illinois
Extension
Once cuttings have been planted or placed in their growing
medium, cover the container with transparent plastic to increase
the humidity around the plant while it is forming roots. The
goal is to never let the rooting media dry out. Place the
cuttings in bright, indirect light. The plastic cover should be
removed after the roots have developed. Some plants may form
roots within days, while others may take several weeks. Cuttings
can be dipped in rooting hormone powder before planting to
improve root development. But too much of a good thing can be
bad as excess powder on the cutting will hinder the development
of the roots.
Other, more challenging methods of vegetative propagation are
layering or rooting a new plant while it is still attached to
the parent plant and grafting or growing a plant shoot with
desirable characteristics on a strong rootstock. Division is the
easiest method of propagation, achieved by removing naturally
produced offsets or shoots from the parent plant.
Keep in mind that not every plant is a candidate for
propagation. Check university resources for additional suitable
plants and be patient, as propagation skills come with practice.
Experiment with new plants, new growing media, and new
propagation techniques to find what works for you.
[Brittnay Haag, Horticulture Educator,
University of Illinois Extension]
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