Three Main Benefits of Propagating Your Plants
Trying something new such as propagating your plants can be intimidating. Yes, there are factors that can make or break the health of a fresh cutting, but it’s more forgiving than you’d think and comes with some incredible benefits! Let’s get into it why propagating your houseplants is a great idea—
01. duplicate your current plant family
If you’re into houseplants, you can quickly find that not only are they expensive, they get challenging to care for since they all have diverse needs. So how does propagating offer a solution?
Expand your plant collection with simple propagations instead of purchasing new ones!
Propagating a plant you currently own makes care easy and predictable since you own that species already
Have extra? Gift them to family and friends instead of going out to purchase a new plant
how to propagate most plants
Not all plants are propagated the same, but we are going explain the most common method that’s used for more popular houseplants such as pothos, philodendrons, and monsteras. These plants utilize stem cuttings. Here’s how the process goes:
Use sanitized scissors or shears to cut your plant a few inches below a node (small brown bumps you’ll find around).
Place your cutting in water, ensuring the node is fully submerged—this is where the roots will begin to grow. If there are leaves submerged along with the node, remove those leaves.
Now you wait for roots to come in. This can take up to 4-6 weeks, especially during the winter, but don’t worry! They will come. You will want to wait until they are over an inch long to pot into soil.
02. Watch your mother plant grow healthily and abundantly
It may seem counterintuitive for your plants to grow after being cut, but it’s indeed true that they sprout out more leaves because of it. In addition, they become more healthy when pruning occurs. Don’t be afraid to prune and propagate! Also, if your mother plant is compromised for any reason, it’s great to know you have a backup! If you choose to propagate more than one cutting, use it as a thoughtful gift to a friend.
03. a cute house decoration never hurt
Not only do they have other benefits such as duplicating your collection and health, they also happen to be aesthetically appealing to the eye when displayed as decor. There is something incredibly chic about your freshly cut stem sitting in water on your window sill or nightstand. Some people even make awesome DIY propagation walls (just do a quick Pinterest search and you’ll see what we’re talking about).
In all, you can’t go wrong with propagating your plants. In more ways than one, your plants are gifts that keeps on giving!