One of the great things about houseplants is that they can reproduce asexually, which means they don’t need another plant to fertilize them to create new offspring. This process is called vegetative propagation, and it’s how many houseplants are produced.
Propagation by cutting is the most common method of vegetative propagation from an existing plant. Several house plants grow from cuttings. We’ll discuss a few of them; before that, let’s look at propagation by cutting.
Propagation by Cutting
Cuttings are pieces of stem or leaf cut off of the main plant and then rooted in soil to create new plants. Here are a few that you need to know to get started.
Select a Healthy Plant
First, choose a healthy plant to take a cutting of the specimen you want to grow. Ensure the plant is free of pests and diseases and that the leaves are vibrant and green.
Once you have chosen your plant, take a sharp knife or pair of scissors and make a clean cut underneath a leaf node.
Use Well-Draining Potting Mix
Next, fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix. You can use a commercial or a DIY potting mix. Commercial mixes are readily available in fertilizer shops.
However, for making your potting mix, you need to take an equal amount of peat moss, sand, and perlite. Water the potting mix thoroughly, and then make a small hole in the center with your finger.
Insert Cutting Till the Right Depth
Now, insert the cutting about two inches into the potting mix. Be sure that at least one leaf node is buried beneath the surface of the mix once the cutting is in place, water it again, then place the pot in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight.
Maintain Potting Mix Requirements
Make sure the potting mix is moist but not soggy; new roots will start evolving within a few weeks. Once the new plant has developed a sound root system, you can transplant it into a big pot.
15 House Plants That Grow From Cutting
You can propagate many common house plants from stem or leaf cuttings. Let’s have a closer look at the fifteen most common house plants that you can grow by cutting:
African Violets
African violets are one of the most popular houseplants. They are known for their beautiful flowers and easy care. You can propagate African violets by taking stem cuttings from the parent plant.
Use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut a 4-6 inch piece of stem from the parent plant. The cutting should include 2-3 leaves. Get rid of the bottom leaves from the cutting.
Insert the cutting in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a clear lid to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
After 6-8 weeks, the cutting should have rooted, and new growth will appear. At this point, you can shift the new plant into its pot.
Coleus
The Coleus is a tropical perennial that is part of the mint family. The leaves of this plant are very colorful and can have patterns that are either variegated or solid. The colors can be anything from lime green to burgundy.
When propagating by cuttings, it is best to take them from healthy, non-flowering stems. Use a sharp tool to make a clean cut below a leaf node. Place the cutting in a water container in a bright, warm spot.
Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. After a few weeks, you should see new roots growing. Once the roots are about an inch long, move them into the soil.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and maintain. It can be propagated by taking stem cuttings from an existing plant and rooting them in water or potting mix.
Take a clean cutting below a leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem). The cutting should be about 4-6 inches long without lower leaves.
Consider using hormone powder or gel. This will encourage root growth. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Roots will form in 1-2 weeks, and new growth will appear in 4-6 weeks. Once the plant is established, you can move it to a location with more or less light, as desired.
Dragon Tree
The dragon tree is another common houseplant that can be grown by cutting. To begin, fill a planting pot with a well-draining potting mix. Moisten the mix thoroughly and allow it to drain before proceeding.
Next, take your cutting tools and make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node on the dragon tree. The cutting should be about 6 inches long.
Remove any leaves from the lower half of the cutting, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Insert the cutting into the prepared potting mix. Firm the mix around the cutting to secure it in place.
Rooting will usually occur within 4-6 weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, you can transplant them into individual pots or your garden bed.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a large and varied genus of plants with hundreds of species that occur in a wide range of habitats across the globe. Many Euphorbias are succulents and have thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Others are shrubs or trees with thinner leaves.
Euphorbias are easy to grow by cuttings, which is often the best method to use if you want to maintain the same cultivar.
The most important thing to remember when propagating Euphorbia by cuttings is that they exude a milky sap that can irritate the skin and eyes. It is essential to wear gloves and eye protection when working with Euphorbias.
Hoya
One of the great things about propagating Hoyas by stem cutting is that they will often root very easily. You can do this method with both softwood and hardwood cuttings.
Softwood cuttings are taken from new growth, while hardwood cuttings are taken from older, more mature parts of the plant.
Cut a stem with leaves into sections, ensuring each section has at least two leaves. Place the cuttings in a pot with well-drained soil and keep them moist. Within a few weeks, the cuttings will have rooted, and new growth will appear.
Impatiens
When growing impatiens, one of the easiest and most common ways to propagate them is by taking cuttings. This can be done with herbaceous and woody stem cuttings and is a simple process that just about anyone can do with success.
To take herbaceous cuttings, use a sharp knife to take a cutting 4-6 inches long. Cut below a leaf node, and be sure to remove any leaves that will be below the surface of the soil.
Insert the cut end in rooting hormone. Then plant it in a pot filled with moistened potting mix.
Ensure the pot is in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight and water to keep the potting mix moist. After 4-6 weeks, your cutting should be rooted and ready to plant in the garden.
Jade Plant
The Jade plant is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and propagate. The easiest way to propagate the jade plant is by stem cuttings. You can take stem cuttings from new-growth or established plants.
To take stem cuttings, use pruning shears to cut a 5-inch piece from the stem of the plant. Cut just below a node, where the leaves are attached to the branch.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving 2-3 leaves at the top. Dip the cutting into rooting hormone powder or gel. Next, plant the stem cutting in a well-draining potting mix.
Water the soil well and place the pot in a bright, indirect light location. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy. Roots will begin to form within 2-4 weeks.
Maranta
Maranta, also known as prayer plant, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Marantaceae. The leaves of most species are marked with distinctive patterns, making them popular houseplants. Maranta can be propagated by stem cuttings taken from new growth.
Cut a 4-inch section of stem from new growth on the maranta plant. The cutting should include at least two leaves. Fill a small pot with moistened planting mix.
Stick the maranta cutting into the soil, ensuring that at least one leaf is above the soil line. Once the roots have formed, shift the maranta into a larger pot filled with fresh planting mix.
Money Plant
Money plant is a trendy indoor plant. It is effortless to grow and propagate. You can propagate the money plant by cutting. Cuttings can be taken from the stems or leaves of the plant.
To take a cutting, first, choose a healthy stem or leaf. Cut the stem or leaf at a 45-degree angle, about 2-3 inches from the node. Place the cutting in a glass of water in a warm, sunny spot.
The cutting will develop roots in 1-2 weeks. Once the roots are well-developed, you can move the money plant cutting into a pot filled with potting mix. Water the plant regularly and fertilize it once a month.
Peperomia
Peperomia is a diverse group of plants native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are known for their distinctive leaves, which can be variegated or solid in color.
Peperomia is relatively easy to care for, and they make excellent houseplants. One of the easiest ways to propagate peperomia is by taking stem cuttings.
Take a 3-4 inch cutting of stem from the plant. Apply rooting hormone to the cutting, and plant it in a mixing pot. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. In a few weeks, you will notice new growth appearing on the cutting.
Philodendron
There are many species of philodendron, and they are native to tropical regions of the Americas. Some philodendron species are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants or trees. Many philodendrons are climbers with aerial roots that help them attach to their support.
Stem cuttings can propagate philodendrons. The cutting should be 4-6 inches long without the bottom leaves from the cutting and cut off any aerial roots. Dip it in rooting hormone, and plant it in a pot filled with moist potting mix.
Water the potting mix well, and place the pot in a warm, bright location. Maintain moisture in the soil; you should observe growth within six weeks.
Rubber Plants
Rubber plants are popular houseplants that are easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. One of the easiest ways to propagate rubber plants is by taking stem cuttings. You can use this method to produce new plants similar to the parent plant.
Choose a healthy stem at least 6 inches long to take stem cuttings from a rubber plant. Cut the stem below a leaf node (the point where a leaf is attached to the stem).
Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving only 2 or 3 leaves at the top of the cutting. Place the cutting in a glass of water and put it in a spot out of direct sunlight. After a few weeks, the cutting will develop roots.
Sansevieria
Sansevieria is a genus of succulent plants native to Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia. The most common species in cultivation is Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue.
Sansevierias are drought-tolerant and can withstand long periods of neglect. They are also very easy to propagate from cuttings.
To propagate sansevieria from cuttings, choose a healthy leaf or stalk and cut it into 3-4 inch segments. Each segment should have at least one node where new roots will form. Allow the cuttings to callous over for a few days before potting them in by cuttings.
Staghorn Fern
A staghorn fern is a tropical plant that gets its name from its antler-like leaves. The plant can be propagated by taking a cutting from the main stem and replanting it.
First, sterilize a sharp knife or scissors with rubbing alcohol. Cut a section of the main stem that is about 6 inches long. Ensure the cutting has at least 2-3 leaves on it.
Next, find a pot that is big enough to accommodate the cutting. Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix. Place the cutting in the pot and water it well. Keep the pot in a warm, humid place and mist the leaves regularly. In a few weeks, the plant starts to grow on the cutting.
Bottom Line
Taking cuttings from your houseplants is a great way to propagate them and create new plants for free. For that, we have provided you with a list of house plants that grow from cuttings. With just a little bit of care and attention, you can have success in no time. So, why not give it a try? Your plants will thank you for it!
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- House Plants for Cold Dark Rooms
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Hi! I’m Sophia, and I love plants – especially an expert in growing house plants. I stay in Chicago, United States of America, and through my blog and social media platforms, provide tips and tricks on how to grow healthy, vibrant plants indoors. Check out more here.