Prayer Plant Propagation [4 Methods]

Propagating your plants is an excellent way to grow your plant army without spending money. Plant propagation can also be done as a small side business or be a perfect way to gift a new neighbor in your Florida a gift that can grow with them!

For the propagation of a prayer plant, plant experts have four propagation methods that they use. The methods are; root, seed, soil, and water propagation. These four methods have proven time and time again to be the most effective at growing solid and healthy new plants.

Prayer plants are an excellent addition to your home or garden, with glossy, bright leaves with multiple eye-catching designs.

In this article, we will share with you what the four prayer propagation methods are. We will provide a step-by-step guide to each—and other helpful tips to ensure a successful propagation!

Table of Contents

The Four Methods of Propagation

You can use four different propagation methods when propagating your prayer plant. Those four methods are:

Root division
Seed propagation
Soil propagation
Water propagation

Each method requires a different level of time and patience. The way you choose will depend on how much of each you have. However, if done correctly, each approach will yield you the result you desire- new prayer plant babies.

To better understand each approach and choose which will benefit you the most, we must take an in-depth look at each, so let us get started!

Propagation by Root Division

Propagation by root division requires a few extra things that the other methods do not. This method is also a bit more time-consuming than other methods but well worth it if you want to ensure you get a lot of new plant babies at the end.

I recommend this propagation method when it is time to repot your prayer plant, as the roots will be ready to become untangled and make way for new ones.

To propagate your prayer plant by root, you will need the following tools and items:

A fully grown prayer plant
Sterilized sharp scissors or small knife
Several small pots (or one giant pot if you prefer that)
Soil
Plastic

How To Propagate by Root Division

Carefully remove the mother plant from its pot and shake it to remove any excess soil that might be attached. Ensure that all the roots are visible, as this will make division easier and cause less stress to the mother plant.
Locate a plant section with an individual root system. This section will be the perfect candidate for propagation.
Gently divide this section from the plant using your scissors, knife, or fingers. From there, turn that section into smaller sections.
The roots are fragile, so be as gentle as possible when separating them. If the roots become tangled while you work, carefully separate them with scissors or a knife. We implore you to avoid using your fingers to untangle the roots, as your fingers could cause more damage than a knife or pair of scissors.
You will want to work fast to prevent the roots from becoming dry and damaged. A compromised root system will not yield the best results. Also, you want to avoid adding unnecessary stress to your propagations, so getting them prepped quickly will ensure they remain stress-free.
Once you have your new propagations ready, you can put each one in its pot or put them all together in a larger pot. Ensure there is enough space between them so they can grow.
We recommend using well-draining soil that contains peat moss and sand. This mix will create the ideal soil conditions for your prayer plant propagation.

You should have a hoard of new prayer plants just waiting to be rehomed in their new pots in a few weeks to a month!

Propagation From a Seed

Propagating your prayer plant from a seed is the most time-consuming of the methods and also the one that will take some extra effort on your part.

We recommend this method only to those with the time and patience because quite a bit of both will be required to bring this plant baby to maturity!

This method is challenging because prayer plant seeds are often hard to locate. However, looking at online retailers like Etsy or Amazon, you might have more luck than going to your local plant nursery in Florida.

Once you finally have the seeds in your possession, you are ready to propagate! For this method, you will need:

Small container or pot
Soil
Plastic

How To Propagate From Seed

Place your seeds in pre-moistened soil when it is 55℉ to 65℉ (12.7℃-18.3℃) degrees outside, giving them their best shot at growing plentiful.
Once you have sown your seeds into the pre-moistened soil, you will want to cover the pot with plastic to keep the humidity and the soil mix moistened.
We recommend letting your cutting get some fresh air every other day, which is also an excellent opportunity for you to check the moistness of your soil.
You should notice your seeds blossom into a luscious plant within a few weeks to months.
Place your new plants outside and let them live amongst nature. Letting your plants thrive outdoors is the best way to ensure that you will be able to get more seeds and continue to propagate more plants.

Propagation Using Soil

Propagating your cutting using soil is a straightforward method that removes the hassles of using water for propagation. While neither approach is considered better than the other, it comes down to your personal preference and how much application you want to put into this process.

The tools you will need for soil propagation are:

Small container or pot
Soil
Powdered rooting hormone
Plastic

How to Propagate From Soil

Once you have your propagation cutting, you will want to dip the ends into the powdered rooting hormone before housing the cutting into the pre-moistened potting soil with the node fully buried.
Make sure the leaves of your cutting are not buried in the soil or touching the earth. If your cutting droops or tips over, use a chopstick or bamboo skewer to stake your cutting. You do not want to use anything heavier to stake your plant as it could become damaged since it is light.
Place your cutting in an area that receives bright and indirect sunlight. Ensure the soil is moist, not wet, as the roots begin to grow. Your cutting will need high humidity, so cover it using plastic to keep the moisture locked in.
We recommend letting your cutting get some fresh air every other day, which is also an excellent opportunity for you to check the moistness of your soil.
After 2-3 weeks, give your cutting a gentle tug. If the plant is still loose, the roots have not fully developed. If it resists, congratulations, the plant has established its roots, and your cutting is now considered a plant!

Propagation Using Water

If you prefer an easy propagation method, water propagation is the one for you! Out of the four, this is the easiest propagation method and also the only one that lets you visibly see your plant’s root growth.

Water propagation seems to be the popular choice for most plant bloggers so that only says good things about this method if so many plant parents recommend it!

The water propagation method is also the most eco-friendly as you will not need to use plastic to keep your cutting moist!

So if you are someone who wants to reduce your plastic use and waste, then this method is the best one for you!

So let us take a closer look at this propagation method!

The tools you will need for water propagation are:

Water (Preferably distilled or rainwater)
Glass jar or container (Preferably with a large opening to easily remove plant)

How To Propagate By Water

All you need to do for this approach is to place your prayer plant cutting into the water.
The water should be room temperature or warmer, do not use cold water as it can harm your plant’s roots.
Ensure that you submerge the node in the water, not the leaves.
From here, you do not need to do much. We recommend changing the water anytime it looks cloudy to prevent algae buildup.
Once your roots have grown, you are ready to move your new plant into a soil-filled pot. From there, care for it as you usually would.

Conclusion

As we have learned today, there are four ways to propagate your prayer plant. All four approaches require a different amount of time, energy, and patience, but each can yield multiple new prayer-plants.

In case you have forgotten, the four methods of propagating a prayer plant are:

Root division
Seed propagation
Soil propagation
Water propagation

Whether you’re propagating for personal or business reasons, it’s vital to ensure you decide on the best method—and you will produce the healthiest new plants possible. We wish you the best of luck in propagating your plants!