How to Propagate Common House Plants with Stems
Do you want more indoor house plants, but are on a budget? They are a great addition to any home and add a Feng Shui feel that we all desire. They can get pricey, so today I will teach you how to propagate common house plants using a mother plant stem.
Let’s save money and bring the beautiful nature into our homes.
The common house plants I will be using is in the philodendron family. I absolutely adore these plants as they are very easy to grow and maintain.
We will be clipping a single stem from a grown mother plant, place it in water, and then plant in soil.
That’s it! This process will also work with any type of plant that grows stems. So, not just philodendrons.
I have propagated numerous plants of this type and I am fully satisfied with the method I use. They are great gifts for friends and family or if you wish to place within your home. Believe me, you will receive many compliments.
Take a look at how I decorated a plain terra cotta pot to give it a rustic feel. So let’s start.
About Philodendrons
Philodendrons are a tropical plant, so they like warm moist environments. They grow best indoors, but occasionally can handle the outdoors during the summer time.
They are known as climbing plants best described as growing like a vine. Some grow like a bush.
The leaves on philodendrons grow in a heart shape and some contain white/cream blemishes. They look great positioned at high places such as shelves or hanging baskets since they grow long stems.
You Will Need:
- Fully grown house plant
- Scissors
- Small jar/vase of water
- Root hormone
- Plant Pots
- Potting Mix
Cut about 6-8 inches of stem off a fully grown mother plant with scissors. You will want to cut at a diagonal. Before picking which stem to cut, make sure there are at least 2 nodes(little bumps) on that stem. The nodes are where the roots will grow from. Also, choose a stem that has at least 4 leaves. If there are any leaves on the bottom of your stem, remove them.
Place the cutting into a jar or vase of water. Add root hormone. Although the hormone is not necessary, it will help the growth of your roots tremendously. Make sure at least 2 nodes(little bumps) are submerged in the water. The more, the better.
Place the jar or vase in a well-lit place in your home. These plants do not like direct sunlight, so I place mine by my kitchen window where the sun is blocked by trees, but still has plenty of indirect sunlight.
As time goes by the plant will absorb water, so keep an eye on it and top off with water when needed. In about 4-6 weeks enough roots should have grown.
Once your cutting has roots, it is time to plant the stem into a garden pot with potting mix. Cover all the roots with potting mix. Then water your plant. As your plant grows it will need to be transferred into a larger pot.
Philodendron Care
Water: Water once a week. Sometimes I like to water my plants twice a week if I can remember. If your leaves start to wilt, that means your plant is not getting enough water. Usually, after you give it a drink, the leaves will revive once again.
Sunlight: This plant likes indirect sunlight and plenty of it. It is best to place by or close to a window. Old leaves will die automatically, but if your plant starts to turn yellow rapidly that means it is getting too much sun.
Fertilize: Fertilize your plant every two months with plant fertilizer. I like to use Miracle-Gro.
If you like to decorate your home with common house plants as much as I do, give this propagation technique a try. Like I said before, this method will work with most plants that grow long stems.
The best part is, you won’t have to spend so much money buying plants from your local department store.
After about a year, your plant should look like the picture below. Don’t forget to talk to your plants once in awhile. They occasionally become lonely just like we do. 🙂
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to comment in the section below. I would love to help you out!
