Houseplant Propagating Methods

Propagation Options:
Propagating can be done in multiple ways but when it comes to houseplants, the two easiest options are dividing and cuttings. Knowing what option is important to the success of your propagation.

• Division (Propagation Type 1)

○ Types of Propagation Plants:
• An extremely fibrous root system, a plant that typically reproduces with rhizomes to create pups
• A plant that has corms that can be separated.

○ Plants with Fibrous Root System:
• Typically, with division you will want to loosen up as much soil as you can from the root system to have as much visibility as possible.
• From there, depending on the plant, you can slowly start to pull apart the pups from the main plant (which is more commonly found with plants with rhizomes) or even cut the two apart carefully with a spade or even a gardening knife.
• Just make sure to never get rid of more than ⅓ of your plants root system because you can risk causing the plant root shock.
• The good thing about this option is that the root system is usually developed.

○ Plants with Fibrous Root System:
• Typically, with division you will want to loosen up as much soil as you can from the root system to have as much visibility as possible.
• From there, depending on the plant, you can slowly start to pull apart the pups from the main plant (which is more commonly found with plants with rhizomes) or even cut the two apart carefully with a spade or even a gardening knife.
• Just make sure to never get rid of more than ⅓ of your plants root system because you can risk causing the plant root shock.
• The good thing about this option is that the root system is usually developed.

○ Plants with Corms
• These are even easier to separate. Once the soil is loosened, you can use your hands or if it is a little tougher to remove, some scissors, and separate the corms from the root system.
• All you really need to do from this point is to find the growing medium it works best in which will depend on the plant you divided.

○ Plant Recommendations for Division
• ZZ plants, known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Snake plants, known as Sansevierias (the scientific name has been updated to Dracaena trifasciata)
• Alocasias (plants with corms)


• Cuttings (Propagation Type 2)

○ This option of propagation is typically used for plants that have nodes or are plants that can grow a root system from their stems.
○ Propagating Process for Cuttings
○ To begin the process of getting a cutting, you will want to locate the node of the plant.
• In most plants you can tell that they are present because the stem will show pale margins going across it every few inches (it is not the same as plant variegation which looks like sporadic white/yellow discoloration).
• The reason it is so important to find nodes for propagation is because these are the locations in the plant with the most cellular activity for new growth and when the plant is cut below or above that node, the plant cutting will release adventitious roots to survive. Those roots will be the main root system as it matures.
○ Once this node is found, you will use shears (that have been disinfected with rubbing alcohol to avoid cross-contamination) to cut below or above the node.
○ The next step is choosing the substrate medium you would like to use.

• Substrate Mediums
○ Directly in Soil:
• With this option you will need rooting hormone. Pour some of the rooting hormone powder onto a small dish and with the fresh cutting, you will dunk the end of it and completely cover the open cut.
• Then create a tiny hole into some potting soil with the pot of your choice and then cover any gaps with soil so the cutting does not fall.
○ After a few weeks, the root structure will form. This option does make it hard to see if it has been established so it is not always preferred.

• Directly in Water (and LECA):
○ Put in the cutting into a jar, cup, or tube and fill with water past the node.
• You will want to replace the water weekly to avoid bacteria buildup.
• The issue with this option is that there can be a risk of transplant shock since their root system isn’t able to attach to something. A good way to avoid this is adding clay balls also known as LECA. Before adding it to your water make sure to thoroughly wash through the LECA because it often can have a lot of dust particles. Once washed, feel free to first place that into your choice of cup or pot (anything that doesn’t have drainage) and place the plant into it making sure that when you add the water it still covers the node.


• Moss Propagation Box:
○ This is a popular option because you can grow multiple cuttings at once.
• Find a plastic box (or even a plastic cup if it is just one cutting) that can tolerate staying wet.
○ Soak the sphagnum moss for 5-10 minutes until it is drenched and then wring out the moss until it is still wet, but not soaking and place in box. If it is kept soaking wet, you can run into fungal or bacterial issues that can cause rot damage to your cuttings.
○ Add some perlite (the amounts can vary depending on the box or cup size but generally you want mostly sphagnum moss) and mix it into the moss.
○ Then add your cuttings and lay them on their sides, making sure the leaves are facing upwards.
○ Make sure it stays moist by misting. If you want to make the root growing process quicker, cover the box with a lid and add holes to make sure you get enough aeration.
○ After a few weeks, you will see that roots have grown, and can be transplanted into soil once root system has grown 3-4 inches long.


○ Plant Recommendations for Cuttings
• Philodendrons
• Pothos
• Monsteras
• Rhaphidophoras
• Peperomias
• Pileas