The Propagation of House Plants

Cactus is propagated by planting an offset that grows at the base of the plant.

Propagation is an inexpensive way of growing a new house plant from a healthy, mature plant. While most propagation techniques aren't difficult, the key to successful propagation is knowing which method works for each particular plant. Propagating house plants by taking cuttings, division or natural layering are straightforward, often-used methods.

Propagation by Division

Division is a simple way to propagate house plants that produce offsets, including Boston fern, asparagus fern, snake plant, prayer plant, bromeliad and African violet. To divide a house plant, remove the entire plant from its container and separate the offset from the parent plant. In order to be successful, each offset must have a healthy root system. The parent plant is returned to its container and the offset is planted in a new container.

Propagation by Cuttings

Several types of cuttings are used to propagate different types of plants. Taking herbaceous cuttings, or slips, is the most common method, as a stem is simply removed and planted in a new container filled with potting soil. Herbaceous cuttings are an appropriate method for many stemmed house plants, including rubber plant, croton, pothos or philodendron. Thick-leaved plants such as begonia and pepperomia are often propagated by leaf cutting, which involves planting a leaf in potting soil. Cane cutting is a method involving planting a length of cane from plants such as dracaena, dumbcane or ti plant.

Propagation by Natural Layering

Natural layering is a propagation method in which a runner or plantlet is rooted while still attached to the parent plant. To layer a plant, fill a container with potting soil. Place the new container close to the parent plant so the runner touches the soil in the new container. Secure the runner to the soil with a piece of bent wire. Once the runner roots, the new plant is severed from the parent plant. Strawberry begonias and spider plants are good candidates for natural layering.

Tips

House plants are propagated in a clean container filled with a well-drained potting soil such as a peat-based commercial potting soil. The container must have a drainage hole, otherwise cuttings will rot. Any tools, such as garden shears or pruners, are sanitized by wiping the tool with rubbing alcohol. Newly-rooted plants benefit from a fertilizer for indoor plants, applied according to the recommendations on the package. Rooted plants are watered and exposed to light at the same levels as the parent plant.

References

• University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Propagating House Plants; P. A. Thomas; 2009
• University of Missouri Extension; Home Propagation of Houseplants; Mary Ann Gowdy; 2002
• Penn State Department of Horticulture; Propagating Houseplants Mary Concklin, et al.