So you have a few plants and you’re wondering what all of this propagation talk is about. Maybe you’ve recently started your plant parent journey and you’re ready to take your plant knowledge to the next level or you’d like to start gifting plant babies of your own to your friends and family. If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Want More Plants? Propagate!

First, we’ll start with the basics. What is propagation anyway? Propagation is the process of growing new plants from sources such as seeds, stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, root division, and more. Depending on the type of plant that you’re hoping to multiply, there are various methods to achieve the best results. We’re going to focus on the most common (and easiest) ways to expand your plant collection through cuttings and root divisions. Propagation takes some time and practice, so don’t be afraid to keep at it if your first try doesn’t work out!

How to Propagate with Cuttings

Stem Cuttings: To propagate a plant from stem cuttings, you first will need a plant that has vine-like stems. Pothos, Tradescantia, and Philodendron plants are all excellent examples of this type of plant. Follow these simple steps to propagate some of your favorite foliage plants!

Find a stem on your plant that has at least a couple leaves.
Locate the node. A node is the section of a plant where the leaf meets the stem.
Use clean shears to make a cut just below the node.
To help induce rooting, place the stem cutting in a vase of water.
Check your cuttings every few days to see if any new root growth has occurred and change the water weekly to keep it fresh.
When your plant has roots that are 2” long, they are ready to be transplanted into a pot with potting mix!

Leaf Cuttings: Propagating a plant from leaf cuttings is easiest to do with Snake Plants and Succulents! Don’t worry if you do not want to pluck away at your perfectly good succulent! You can actually purchase succulent leaves and cuttings online at a very affordable price, or ask a friend who is doing some pruning if you can take some of their cuttings. Just like stem cutting propagation, it is quite simple to do! Follow these steps to propagate using leaf cuttings.

Choose a plant to propagate. Depending on the plant you choose, you will need to gently twist or cut off a leaf from the stem. Succulent varieties such as Echeveria and Sedum will generally twist off easily and Snake Plants will need to be cut at the base of the leaf. An entire Snake Plant leaf can be cut up into smaller sections about 2-3” in length.
Place your leaf cuttings in a safe spot to allow the raw edges to dry out for 1-3 days.
Once the raw edges begin to dry, set your succulent leaves on top of your potting soil making sure it is not buried. If you are propagating a Snake Plant, place your cuttings in the soil, so they are planted vertically in the direction of proper growth. You will only need to bury the bottom of the snake plant leaf just enough to keep it standing (approximately 1-3 centimeters).
While well established plants do not need watered frequently, propagating leaves do! Water your leaves by misting the soil everytime it becomes dry. Place your cuttings in a spot that receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.
Keep an eye out for tiny roots to start forming! You should notice growth within 2-3 weeks.
When your succulent leaf produces a baby that is ½” tall, gently remove the original leaf and plant your new succulent in well draining succulent potting mix! If you are propagating a Snake Plant, your cuttings will have taken root in their pot and voila- a new plant for your collection!

Easiest Houseplants to Propagate with Stem or Leaf Cuttings

Stem Cutting Propagation:

Pothos
Tradescantia Zebrina
Monsteras
Philodendrons
Syngonium

Leaf Cutting Propagation:

Echeveria
Sedum
Sansevieria (Snake Plant)

How to Propagate with Root Divisions

It really is as simple as it sounds! Propagating plants by root division is dividing the entire plant into smaller pieces or sections while keeping the roots intact. If your plants are getting too large for their pots, this is a great way to multiply your collection while giving them enough space to grow. Keep in mind that this should only be done if each section of the plant has its own root ball and root system. Otherwise, they run a big risk of drying out and not being able to receive enough nutrients from their roots. Follow these steps to create more of your favorite foliage babies!

To divide your houseplant, you will first need to pull the plant out of its pot so that the roots and soil are exposed.
Gently pull the roots apart creating separate plants. If the roots are too difficult to divide by hand, try using a sharp knife or shears to split through the tough roots.
Repot your “new” plants in separate pots with proper indoor potting soil.
Be sure to keep them evenly moist and in a spot with optimal bright, indirect light until your new plants become well established.

Easiest Houseplants to Propagate with Root Division

ZZ Plant
Snake Plant
Peace Lily
Boston Fern
Calathea
Dumb Cane

Get Propagating!

There you have it! Propagation sounds like it would be daunting, but with some practice, it can be quite easy to multiply your plant collection. Before you know it, you’ll be sharing your love for propagating and gifting baby plants to all of your friends and family.

Have you successfully propagated any plants? Share your plant babies with us by tagging @wild_interiors on Instagram!

How to Propagate Plants: A Beginner’s Guide