Plant Propagation: Start New Plants from Cuttings
Not all plants come from seeds or bulbs. Most houseplants can be easily divided to create more plants. A few common plants that are simple to start or “root” are spider, ivy, philodendron, coleus, begonia, pothos, wandering Jew, and geraniums.
The first step in plant propagation from existing plants is to take plant cuttings. Cuttings are snips off of the appendage of a healthy plant. Hanging plants such as wandering Jews and ivy need periodic trimmings to encourage full growth, and using these cuttings is a great way to start new plants.
Before making a cut, look for nodes—these are the beginnings of new leaves and stem systems and resemble small roots or buds. A cut should always be made just below the node. Allow room for at least two inches above the node to taken. Use sharp scissors to make one clean, angled cut. Remove any remaining leaves beneath the bottom node and place the stem of the new cutting in a glass of lukewarm water. If the plant does not have visible nodes, make a cut below the last new leaf growth. Place the cuttings in a window, and before you know it, roots will begin to grow. Roots can take as little as a week to appear but may take as long as a month. While the roots grow make sure the water level in the glass remains above the roots. When a good root system is established—typically after four to six weeks—the cuttings may be placed in clean potting soil in a plant pot. Combining several cuttings in one pot will provide an instant established plant, and with in a few weeks the roots from all of the cuttings will merge together as one.
Rooting spider plants is a bit different from the stemmed plant process as cutting is not necessary. Once mature, Spider plants will sprout “babies” (several miniature plants will sprout from a long shoot of the main plant.) Once the babies have visible roots, simply twist the baby plant from its base to remove and place it in lukewarm water for a few weeks to coax the root system to grow more before it is re-potted. You can also place a pot of soil under the mature plant and allow the babies to root themselves. A grouping of baby spiders can take on the form of an established plant in no time at all.
Succulents such as hens and chicks and sedum will self-propagate and may be gently removed and re-potted when needed. To separate succulents, first look for new growth areas. New growth is found on the edges of the main plant. New growth is usually smaller in size from the original and sometimes has a slightly greener or pinkish color. Locate the separation point where the original plant and the new growth are loosely connected. Gently remove the smaller appendages by carefully pulling the plant away from the mother plant by the base using your fingers to untangle roots as you separate. Shake out the root system of the newly removed plant and transplant into a potting medium designed for succulents.
Newly rooted or divided plants require no special treatment. Regular plant maintenance such as watering, adequate lighting, and pruning of dead leaves is all that is required. Rooting plants and sharing with friends is a great way to diversify your own plant collection with out spending money. Rooted houseplants also make terrific house warming and hostess gifts, especially when paired with instructions for plant propagation.
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Great article with useful tips. Do you have any information on starting Profusion Zinnia’s? They are a beautiful annual that lasted in my garden summer to spring. I saved the seeds from last year and would like to start them in a couple of weeks. I am not sure how many seeds and how deep they should be placed in soil. Someone mentioned that they are a hybrid, in which I know nothing about. Thanks for your help.
Hi Michelle- Thanks for reading! Seeds from hybrids will grow-however they will not look exactly like the plants/flowers they were harvested from. This is because hybrids are artificially cultivated or “crossed” to achieve a desired result. To get the exact flowers again this year you will have to purchase new hybrid seeds. You can still start the seeds you saved from last year inside or plant outside after the danger of frost is over. Simply scatter seeds in clean potting soil at least 2 inches deep and cover with about an inch more of soil. Keep moist and warm. Be careful not to over or under water. Follow the same directions outside. Who knows-you may just like the new variation that grows! Good Luck ! S
Helpful article… One question, is it possible to take cuttings that have rooted and combine it with an existing plant that isn’t that large. I am trying to make a plant larger; is this possible?
Raselle- Yes, this is not only possible, it is also beneficial. Adding a newly rooted cutting to an exisiting plant will actually encourage all the roots to “compete” and will promote growth in addition to allowing for a larger and more established looking plant.
Thanks for the great question.
Shelley
Your article never went into detail concerning how to propagate geraniums. I’ve tried several times and have only had success once. I need to winter them over in as little space as possible. Preferably a foolproof bare root stock method is needed. Could you give an explanation. Thank you.
Geraniums can be rooted just like ivy plants (see paragraph 1) though it may take longer for roots to appear and grow. I would suggest letting the roots grow until they are a few inches long and begin to tangle before potting. Keep in mind that geraniums are in a semi-dormant state in the winter and will not as full and robust as outdoor summer geraniums while they are growing inside. When it the time comes to place the plants outdoors again they should bounce right back.
Thank you for being vigilant in answering your comment questions. So many times have I sent an inquiry and the author has never remembered to answer their columns. Very efficient. I’ll give the geraniums a try again. If I’ve bare root stock them over the winter, when and in what medium should I started to encourage root growth. In water or by repotting in soil. Also, when is it appropriate to start feeding to obtain large bloom. And finally is the cutting taken from the top new growth of plant or further down on the old original stalk?
Hi Audrey-I will begin by answering your questions in reverse order.
The cutting should be made more toward the bottom where the stalk is still green. Be sure to cut at an angle. Remove any low growing leaves that would be submerged in water when rooting anyway.
If you are wintering geraniums from last year or have recently introduced newly rooted cuttings into soil I would re-pot them in your favorite nutrient rich potting soil medium about a month before they are ready to put outside. Grouping new cuttings with the wintered mature plants will bulk up the plant and they will eventually grow as one. A natural worm compost or “compost tea” will boost the growth of the plants organically. Worm compost may be obtained by a Master Gardener in your area (Check your local University’s Cooperative Extension Program) or purchased at garden centers. Good luck and thanks for reading.