How to Take Cuttings From Swedish Ivy
Swedish ivy, or Plectranthus australis, propagates easily from cuttings. The lush, bright green foliage makes Swedish ivy a favorite among house plants. Take cuttings from Swedish ivy to replace a spent plant or for rooting to share the beauty of this gorgeous indoor plant. Whether started in water or soil, the Swedish ivy plant roots well for even a beginning gardener. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pruning shears or sharp knife
- Water rooter or glass jar
- Potting soil
- Rooting hormone (found in local garden centers)
- Growing tray
- Dibble or pencil
Instructions
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Rooting Swedish Ivy in Water
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1
Cut 6- to 8- inch clippings from the ends of the Swedish ivy plant, making sure there are at least five or six leaves per cutting. The bottom of the stem cutting must have one or two leaf nodes. To expose the leaf nodes, remove the bottom leaves from the stem cutting.
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2
Fill the water rooter or glass jar with water. Tap water works just fine for rooting the Swedish ivy cuttings. Stick the cuttings into the water so the bottom leaf nodes are covered.
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3
Place the jar or rooter in a bright location. Monitor the cuttings by adding water as needed to maintain a level where the bottom leaf nodes are covered. As the cuttings develop roots, remove them from the jar and plant in separate pots filled with quality potting soil. Maintain plant growth as with the host plant.
Swedish Ivy Cuttings Rooted in Soil
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4
Cut 6- to 8- inch sections of the Swedish ivy from the main stems. Leave the top five leaves on the stem sections. Remove the bottom leaves, making 3 inches of the remaining stem bare.
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5
Fill the growing tray with potting soil and create uniform holes with a dibble or pencil. Spray the soil with water to moisten, but avoid making it soggy. Cuttings rot instead of root in soil that is too wet.
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6
Pour 1 or 2 tbsp. of rooting compound into a separate container to avoid contaminating the original container. Dip the Swedish ivy cuttings into the small container of rooting compound and stick the cuttings into the growing tray.
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7
Tamp the soil down around the cuttings to remove air pockets that may contain bacteria, which can kill cuttings. Place the tray in a sunny location but not in direct sunlight.
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8
Keep the soil moist until new growth forms on the cuttings. New growth signifies root development. Monitor the cuttings until a healthy root system forms. Transplant the rooted cuttings into individual pots for growing. Maintain the potted cuttings just like the host plant.
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