Simple Houseplant Species that Gardening Professionals Recommend for Propagation via Stems
Propagating houseplants can be a rewarding experience, especially when you're working with easy-to-root species that grow quickly. If your collection is burgeoning with vigorous plants, consider sharing some cuttings with friends or expanding your own collection further. However, some houseplants may not appreciate being propagated, and they might die shortly after planting their cuttings.
Gardening experts recommend the following 10 easy-to-propagate houseplants:
- Pothos
Known for its simplicity in rooting, pothos (Epipremnum spp.) is a popular choice for beginners. With just a node, this plant can be propagated from a single leaf or a longer cutting with several leaves. Place your cutting in a container filled with moist potting mix, sand, perlite, vermiculite, or your preferred medium, and voila!
- Heartleaf Philodendron
A cousin of pothos, heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is equally effortless to propagate. Cut a stem just below a leaf node, remove the bottom leaves, and place the cutting in a container filled with moist potting mix.
- Monstera
Monsteras (Monstera spp.) are iconic houseplants, and their large, deeply cut leaves make monstera deliciosa a popular choice. You can root this plant in either water or a moss cocoon. Wrap moistened moss around the stem, secure it with twine, and ensure the moss is moistened daily until roots grow several inches long.
- Echeveria
Echeveria (Echeveria spp.), low-water succulents, are perfect for new plant parents. Simply clip a leaf, let it develop a good scab, and pot it up in a cacti and succulent mix.
- English Ivy
English ivy (Hedera helix) comes in a beautiful array of varieties, from variegated to plain green. Propagate this plant by cutting 4- to 6-inch stem sections and rooting them in water or moist perlite.
- Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are popular houseplants that produce baby spiders (plantlets) that root easily when they come in contact with soil. Choose a plantlet, clip it from the mother plant, and pot it in well-draining potting soil.
- Polka Dot Begonia
Polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata) is a fast-growing plant with wing-shaped leaves and beautiful silver spots. Its easy-to-propagate cuttings can be rooted simply by cutting off growth with three to five leaves, removing the bottom leaf, and potting the cutting in moist potting mix.
- Flame Violet
Flame violet (Episcia cupreata) is appreciated for its colorful flowers and variegated foliage. This plant can be propagated by cutting off plantlets and potting them in high-quality potting mix.
- Inch Plant
Inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) has sparkling silver leaves with purple markings. To propagate, simply pinch off the cutting with three to five leaves, remove the bottom leaf, and pot it in moist potting mix.
- African Violet
Propagate African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) by inserting healthy leaves with approximately 2-inch petioles into a container filled with fine perlite and water. Prepare small 2-inch holes, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and insert it into the prepared holes before watering again.
By incorporating these tips and utilizing enrichment insights, you can successfully grow your collection by propagating these houseplants. Make sure to provide the plants with appropriate care requirements and the right conditions for rooting. Happy planting!
Martha Stewart often shares her love for gardening and houseplants, often recommending easy-to-propagate species like pothos and heartleaf philodendron for beginners. Following the successful propagation of these plants, she might expand her own garden or share cuttings with friends.
Given that Pothos is one of Martha Stewart's favorite plants to propagate, she might encourage her followers to adopt this practice to grow their own collections of these rewarding houseplants.
