If you’re a plant lover, chances are you look for every opportunity to grow your collection. For first-time plant owners, you may not be familiar with propagating. Propagating may help in growing your plant collection.
You can propagate with seeds or roots, but the easiest and most common method is by cutting, or transferring a piece of a mature plant into water or soil and letting it grow a new root system. Propagating a new plant from a cutting can be done in one of two ways: either in water or in soil.
Soil Propagation
Propagating in soil might be a bit riskier than propagating in water. When propagating in soil it’s best to choose a healthy, easy-to-grow plant with standard, developed roots that you’ve had for a while.
Here’s how to soil propagate:
- Cut an inch of a leafy stem
- Fill a small pot with a well-drained potting mix
- Put the cut end of your leafy stem into the potting mix
- Some prefer setting the pot in a plastic bag (this part is optional). Leaving the top open to increase humidity.
- Water well and place in a bright location away from direct sunlight.
Image Credit: Pexels
Water Propagation
Propagating in water is the quickest way to do it, but sometimes it produces weaker roots, depending on the plant you are propagating. With this method expect to see roots growing within a couple of weeks.
Here’s how to propagate with water:
- Take a stem cutting from the plant you have chosen
- Remove the bottom leaves from the cuttings, ensuring you leave at least one to two leaves at the top of each cutting
- Fill a small container with water.
- Place the stem cuttings in the water, making sure your stem is submerged
- Optional but you can also change the water once every week.
- Place in direct sunlight so you can start seeing roots grow from your stem
Image Credit: Pexels
Beginners can also use these steps to propagate well and make sure their plants remain strong and healthy. You can propagate with seeds or roots, but the easiest and most common method is by cutting, or transferring a piece of a mature plant into water or soil and letting it grow a new root system.
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Feature image: Pexels
