How to Air Layer a Dracaena

A dracaena that outgrows its space can be shortened with air layering.

Grow a dracaena for a few years and it's likely to encroach on the ceiling or otherwise outgrow its space. Rather than replace this large floor plant that can reach 10 feet, try air layering. This method of propagating plants, which involves inducing roots to form on the plant stem while it is still attached to the mother plant, is well suited for the tall, leggy dracaena, according to Iowa State University. Air layering serves two purposes simultaneously. It enables you to shorten the height of a dracaena that has grown too tall and get another plant from the top part of the plant you remove.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• 2 to 3 cups of sphagnum moss
• Water
• 12 by 24 inch piece of plastic wrap
• 2 twist ties
• Cotton swab
• Rooting hormone

Instructions

1. Soak the sphagnum moss in water for two hours. Remove and squeeze out excess moisture. Set aside.

2. Determine where you want to make the cut and then choose a location directly under a leaf node, which is where the leaf attaches to the stem. Brace the stem and, with the knife, cut a slanting upwards notch 1 1/2 to 2 inches long, approximately one-third to one-half of the way into the stem.

3. Hold the cut open by inserting a wooden toothpick. Saturate the cotton swab with rooting hormone and use to dust the interior of the slit. Leave the toothpick in the cut.

4. Envelope the wound with the damp sphagnum moss. Wrap the plastic wrap around the moss twice and secure on both ends with twist tie.

5. Check the sphagnum moss on a regular basis and keep it moist by opening the top twist tie and spraying or pouring water on the moss and then resealing.

6. Generally, new roots will form in one to two months, although rooting may take longer, depending on the plant and the season. Once new roots have filled the sphagnum moss, remove the plastic.

7. With a knife, cut the newly rooted plant off just below the root mass and plant in a container with the sphagnum moss intact.

Tips & Warnings

• For the best results, air layer in spring, summer or fall.

• Avoid letting the sphagnum moss dry out because doing so can lead to loss of the new roots.

References

• Iowa State University: How to air layer a houseplant
• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Air layering for difficult-to-root plants
• Clemson University: Dracaena

Resources

• Purdue University: New Plants from Layering