Multiplying plants can be done for many reasons: inexpensive gifts, saving a dying plant, or growing your collection. Whatever your reason, water propagation is the easiest, and for most common houseplants and beginner plant owners, the most successful. Whatever your reason, here are some tips and guides on propagating houseplants using the water method.

*Before you do anything, research the plant you are propagating to make sure it can be propagated by cuttings, either leaf or stem. While most vines and peperomias can be propagated this way, calatheas, alocasias, and most succulents do better with division propagation.

Prep

The plant you wish to propagate should be mature, healthy, and pest free. We recommend starting with golden pothos as they are easily propagated, hardy, and can help other plants to root more quickly when placed in the same container. Sterilize sharp garden shears with alcohol and wipe the leaf you will be cutting with a damp cotton towel or shirt. This will help you spot unwanted pests and clean the leaf’s pores for a better chance to thrive. The container you choose should match the size of your cutting. A two-inch cutting of basil should not be stored in a vase taller than the stem as the water line will continually evaporate below the stem, doing no good to the plant and inviting bacteria into the standing water below.

Cut

Now that you have prepped your plant and tools look for the node on the vine below the leaf. If cutting a clumping plant like peperomia, cut the stem as close to the base as possible. Place your scissors at a forty-degree angle slightly beneath the node or at the base. The angle will give the plant more surface area for roots, this is especially helpful for bigger stemmed/leafed plants such as monstera delicosa and sansevierias. We like to cut slightly beneath and above each node leaving one leaf intact in order to propagate the most plants from one vine but feel free to cut a vine with multiple nodes if you have a container tall enough to support it. If you choose this method, cut off each leaf below the water line to prevent rot and support root growth.

Water

Distilled water is used for all plants at DCC, but for propagation you can be a little less picky. We find that plain water works best, no need to add nutrients or rooting hormone for this method. Fill your vessels with water, clear glass containers can help you see root development and help you keep an eye on water levels and clarity. Make sure to leave space for the plant to avoid water spillage, working over a sink helps with cleanup. Change the water often, waiting no longer than a week. Inconsistent water changes can lead to rot, cloudy water, and swamp smell.

Placement

The best part about water propagation is you can place the cuttings anywhere, making them a great addition to office spaces and bathrooms. While plants need light to thrive, cuttings will do ok with lower light placement, in fact, direct light should be avoided for clippings rooting in water to deter algae blooms. For quicker rooting place cutting in bright indirect light and change the water daily.

Transference

Once your cutting has at least two-inch roots (this could take a week for herbs like basil or months for slow growers like sansevieria) place in pre-moistened soil. For the first week after transferring the cutting keep the soil consistently moist to the touch. In the following weeks cut back on the water until the plant is acclimated to appropriate watering cycles. If you plan to move your plant to a space with different light conditions, slowly acclimate by giving it more or less light slowly over the course of a few weeks.

Plant propagation is a fun way to interact and learn about the plants you share a house with. They are on hand to pass out as last-minute gifts, you get a better understanding of the root systems, and of course, more plants. Stay tuned for other propagation methods!