How to propagate leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings can be propagated quickly and easily, and using leaves is one of the best ways to ensure identical new plants. It's as easy as snipping off a stem with a few leaves (just below a node – ensure it has at least three internodes of growth) and rooting it. Make sure you're not putting any leaves in the potting mix (remove them if you have to), and cut every second leaf (unless you're propagating a succulent). For some plant varieties, it's best to encourage roots in water then plant in soil. Plants that grow well from leaf cuttings include:
How to propagate plants by dividing the roots
Multi-stemmed plants (like monsteras) can be divided into multiple plants. It involves taking the plant from the pot and gently tugging one stem to separate the roots; if this doesn't work you can cut the roots with a knife. Plants that grow well from root division include:
- ZZ plant
- Peace lily
- Snake plant
- Monstera
How to propagate from pups
Some plants will literally multiply all by themselves, producing baby plants (aka "pups"). Let these plants grow to about 3 inches before you cut them and plant them in their own pots. Plants that you can propagate from pups include:
- Spider plant
- Aloe vera plant
- Bromeliad
- Ponytail plant
Cuttings may take between six days to six months to grow until they’re ready for planting out. Remember to be patient as some garden plants will take a while to grow – but it will certainly be worth the wait! Others may shoot up and surprise you. You can opt for a rooting hormone powder or gel when you plant them to ensure you're speeding up the process.
