How to Propagate Your House Plant – Easy Guide

This is my easy guide on how to Propagate Your House Plant. What is a Propagation? Propagation is essentially the act of naturally producing another plant. Propagations for plants can be done a couple of different ways, but today I will be teaching you how to propagate with plant cuttings.

This does not work the same way on every plant, but it works for the majority of the most common house plants. If you want to take the “easy” way out, you can always get plants that produce babies naturally once they get large enough. Both spider plants and Chinese money plants produce little mini plants when mature. Honestly though, propagating by plant cuttings is very simple too. Some of the easiest plants to propagate are pothos, philodendrons, monsteras, and wax plants. I would start with pothos as they tend to root quickly.

Part 1

You will want your plant to be a decent size so that it has plenty of nodes to choose from, and so that it won’t affect the health of your plant. Once you choose your plant to take a cutting from you will have to locate some nodes on the stem of your plant. A plant node is located on the surface of the stem, it is usually very close to leaves, and it typically just looks like a small bump or even a very small root. Here is an example:

You will want to cut a few centimeters below the node/nodes and at least one leaf. After this I let my cutting callus over for at least 2 hours, this helps prevent mold on the cutting.

Part 1.2

This is optional, but you can also choose to use a rooting powder. This can help a plant develop roots faster and can help protect against mold. Here is a link to the one that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-BND925-Bontone-Rooting-Fertilizer/dp/B000BX1HGC/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1A93CLO58PXBO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tv-uuSMq_CbsIexCwxagC2cdaYA7EuiG6htLh7dNlXjyDalAikp8KsIkiQsH1_KP76B6HG7aK91vvawCX9ApPKvY_edQkaYFYUWn7rNMRQs3QTOL3K20MnaeTJ-Asmx1xvc-TVxpPFMHx2win2NNVT06nKUlRjwZfhIQ9UdYjnoNrxlGgvXaAkpqKLMmYP5fOeTEUCVGC9d1vAZX8FDz8SIfqJQDpG0ZsMeD4kLq3_-ix0J47vrhpj0jXJ-fy0wq3nHgr6DSHF_OvYBzydz-GStBs5jDIBz86qgir1lYdjA.CQ52vaJw00efAQLSWJuPBxF4O3sJrk0ymUAOaIFydkE&dib_tag=se&keywords=rooting+powder&qid=1707935247&sprefix=rooting+powde%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-5

Part 2

Next, you will want a clear glass or container of some kind, I typically use recycled jars. You will want to fill it up with room temperature filtered water, you can use tap, but sometimes this can irritate certain “pickier” plants. Then put your plant cuttings in, making sure to fully submerge the nodes, this is where the roots will start to form.

Part 3

Finally, you will have to practice patience, roots typically take 3-4 weeks or longer to mature. Make sure to change the water out every week or so while you wait, and do not plant your cuttings until the root/roots are at least 2 inches or more. Happy Propagating! 

If you are just beginning this journey, instead of hopping right into house plant propagation, this post might be a good place to start: https://buzz.uni.edu/PlantsandPortfolios/index.php/2024/02/09/5-tips-for-new-plant-parents/