How to Propagate Plants From a Cutting

Cutting

Do you have a favorite plant that you want more of? Or do you have a plant that is struggling that you don't want to lose?

Well, the good news is you can propagate it! Propagation is basically making a copy of your plant.

Neat right?

Not only can you make one new plant, but you could also make a whole army of one of your favorite plants! This is useful for plant swaps or gifts for friends. Or if you want, you can keep them all to expand your jungle. All for almost no money!

Here are the steps to propagate your own plant. In my example, I am propagating an old Purple Waffle plant of mine that was pretty ugly from a spider mite infestation I had last spring.

Cutting in bag

Step 1: Cut off a branch of your plant. Make sure that it is either an entire branch or has a couple of nodes. This will ensure that it will be able to root and make a new plant. Try to pick a branch that will not be noticeable if it is gone. You do not want your plant having a bare spot on it. Also if you are propagating a plant that is struggling, make sure the branch you chose is not completely dead or else it probably won't root.

Step 2: Place the cutting of your plant into a small cup or pot filled with dirt. I push mine in about half an inch or 2-3 centimeters. If I do not have any pots on hand, I take a small plastic cup and cut a hole in the bottom. This is also useful for a cheap way to start seeds!

Step 3: Water the cutting until the dirt is completely moist. If there is water running out of the bottom, let it completely drip out. You do not want the dirt to be overly moist or else mold might grow.

Step 4: Place the entire plant into a plastic bag and seal the bag completely. Do not reopen the bag throughout the rooting process, you do not want to let the moisture out of the bag. The bag creates a tiny greenhouse environment for the cutting.

Step 5: Leave the bag in the sun or under a plant light. Here is a link to the plant light I use from Amazon. Give it as much light as you can. If you are putting it in the sun, put it directly up against a window. If you notice that the plant leaves are burning, you may want to move it a little farther from the window. Each plant has different light needs during this process so you just have to try multiple locations out!

Cutting under my plant light

Step 6: Wait a couple of weeks and you should start to see roots or sprouts coming off the plant. Remember DO NOT open the bag.

Step 7: Do not remove the plant until it outgrows the bag. The plant will be fragile until it creates a good root system. After it begins to outgrow the bag, plant it into a bigger pot to give the roots room to grow.


Good luck growing!!!

Sprout!

Good Luck!

Lily's Indoor Jungle