How to Grow New Plants by Cutting and Rooting

Cuttings can become new plants with the right lighting and nutrients.

You don't need to head to the greenhouse when you want to grow new plants or replace ones that are nearing the end of their life cycles. You'll save money by replanting cuttings from older plants, and you'll watch the cuttings grow to full-fledged plants under your care. Growing new plants by cutting and rooting requires patience and care to ensure the plants survive and thrive.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Rooting mix
• Plastic bag
• Straws
• Rooting hormone

Instructions

1. Water the parent plant thoroughly the day before making a cut to it. This helps prevent the cutting from drying out once you've cut it off.

2. Cut off a piece of the parent plant 2 to 6 inches long. Focus on a soft part of the plant at the node, which is where a stem is branching off the main stock. Cut beneath the node since the node itself is buried in rooting mix once the cut is complete.

3. Remove any leaves from the cutting to help prevent water loss. The cutting is not capable of taking in water, so preventing dehydration is essential.

4. Place the cutting into a pot filled with rooting mix, which is nutrient-rich dirt that assists the cutting in growing.

5. Wrap a plastic bag around the pot, using straws or small sticks to keep the plastic away from the cutting itself. The plastic helps the cutting to retain moisture by keeping the humidity level high.

6. Place the pot near a window but away from direct sunlight. This allows the cutting to get the sun it needs without overheating.

7. Water the cutting regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid water-logging it. If the soil is too wet, the plant will rot instead of grow roots. The soil should drain effectively and not retain water.

8. Adjust the temperature of the room the cutting is in to between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the optimum temperature for growing roots, according to Purdue University researchers.

9. Apply a rooting hormone to the base of the cutting to accelerate the rate of root formation. Follow all instructions on the package to ensure proper usage and to keep the plant healthy.

10. Pull the bag off the cutting once it has rooted and is starting to grow.

References

• Purdue University; New Plants From Cuttings; Mary Welch-Keesey
• University of Rhode Island: Propagating House Plants by Cuttings