Want to grow your plant collection for free? Propagation really is very satisfying, but be warned, it’s pretty addictive!
Below we explain different ways to propagate; division, water propagation, succulent leaf cuttings, tuber propagation. All are really simple techniques which have been tried and tested time and time again by us.
Houseplant expert Caroline, owner of the gorgeous plant shop The Every Space has held propagation workshops at our markets. She has kindly prepared a simple guide to propagating the ever popular Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomidies). Play the video below to see the step-by-step process.
Propagation via division
The Chinese money plant is a prolific reproducer so it’s a great one to start with. Some plants will propagate more readily and successfully than others, and now’s the perfect time as Spring and Summer are the best times to get propagating.
Water propagation
Some of the plants that we have easily propagated time and time again are Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma (Monstera Minima), Scindapsus Pictus (Satin Pothos), Epiphyllum Anguliger (Fishbone Cactus) and Maranta (pictured below).
For these we simply cut below a node (the section on a stem where a leaf attaches) and place in water and allow for roots to form. We change the water once a week. Once roots are a couple of centimetres long we simply pot into compost and watch them thrive!
A water propagated Maranta. Image by Kulbir from Pexels
Succulent leaf propagation
One of the easiest propagation methods is growing new succulents from their own leaves. Often this will happen by accident if you drop a succulent leaf into a pot it will start to root and grow a baby without you even noticing.
You can carefully remove succulent leaves with a gentle twist and pull action. Simply lay this leaf on top of soil. The soil will need to be kept slightly damp, you can do this by spraying the soil rather than pouring water on. You can increase the humidity around the leaf to aid growth by placing a clear plastic bag or cloche over the entire pot.
After a couple of weeks roots will start to grow and soon a baby plant will appear at the base of the leaf cutting. Eventually the original leaf will wither leaving you with your baby plant. Couldn’t be simpler!
succulent leaves starting to root
baby succulents growing
Tuber propagation
Another technique that we often use on a true houseplant favourite Ceropegia Woodii (String of Hearts) is one of the simplest. String of Hearts produce round woody tubers along their stems, these can be used to grow new plants. Simply cut the tuber off the stem and place on top of compost, be patient, before long it will grow new shoots. This is great for thickening out the mother plant and creating new strings within the same pot.
There are several other propagation techniques to discover, so here are a few resources you might find useful:
A book we turn to time and time again is Root Nurture Grow by RoCo. It’s a brilliantly comprehensive, and easy to follow guide to different propagating techniques. It includes a great quick reference section stating which technique is best for which plant.
Leaf Envy have a really simple step-by-step guide to 3 main methods of propagating here
Finally, not forgetting propagation of outdoor plants…The Royal Horticultural Society also have a great resource for plant propagation techniques here.
Happy propagating!