Propagation means taking cuttings from plants, placing them in water and growing something entirely new. When you propagate plants, you create an exact replica of the plant you took the cutting from.
Provided you have a lot of patience, propagation is a cheap and rewarding hobby that’s good for the soul. There are a ton of other benefits, too, which we’ll talk more about as you read on.
Ready to get started with propagating your favourite houseplants? Keep reading to learn the benefits of plant propagation and how to propagate plants in the best way.
Why Propagate Plants? 5 Uplifting Benefits of Plant Propagation
The benefits of plant propagation are seldom discussed, but there are a lot of them!
Taking cuttings from plants to create new plants is a way to destress, spruce up your home décor, and contribute toward more sustainable plant production worldwide.
If you aren’t already convinced to propagate your plants, here are our top benefits of plant propagation.
- It creates an endless supply of plants!
Plant propagation is the act of creating a new plant from an existing plant.
When you propagate, you can multiply the number of plants you own in just a couple of months.
With many plants, you can propagate the same leaf again and again, giving you an endless supply of new plants to enjoy!
- It’s highly rewarding
Growing things is always a rewarding experience.
We don’t really know why, but we think it’s something to do with how close to nature it makes us feel and how relaxing tending to plants can be.
Watching a plant cutting slowly sprout roots and grow new leaves or shoots offers the same experience. It’s deeply satisfying and connects us with nature!
- It’s frugal!
Wanting another monstera or snake plant in your home can get costly.
If you’re obsessed with owning houseplants, propagation lets you grow more plants completely free!
All you need to do is take a few cuttings, place them in water, and watch your new plants grow!
- It’s aesthetically pleasing
Propagating plants is best done in a glass vessel of sorts.
If you intend to make your plant cuttings a décor feature, you can choose wall-mounted propagation stations (like ours!) to display your new growth in an aesthetically pleasing way.
- It prevents plant extinction
When you think about it, even if you buy a new plant from a shop, you’re not actually increasing the number of plants on the planet.
But when you grow a new plant via propagation, you create something entirely new and add more plants to the world.
This can help prevent plant extinction, particularly of any rare species, and contribute to more sustainable houseplant production. It can also help boost the oxygen levels in your home and beyond!
How to Take Cuttings From Plants & Propagate Plants in Water
What you’ll need when taking cuttings from plants:
- A plant
- Clean scissors
- A clean glass or propagation station
- Clean water
- A lot of patience!
How do you take cuttings from plants?
Some plants have root nodes you need to cut underneath, while other plants can be propagated by simply cutting a leaf from the plant.
You’ll need to research which plants have a root node and which don’t.
Plants like monstera and pothos usually need to be cut by the node, whereas snake plants and succulents can be propagated by taking a leaf.
Here’s how to take cuttings from plants:
- Identify a root node or find a healthy leaf
- Carefully cut below the node or cut the leaf close to the stem
- Place in a clean glass or propagation station somewhere bright
- Fill the glass with clean water so the cutting is resting in the water
- Change the water every 3-5 days
That’s it! Time to sit back and enjoy watching your roots grow.
Depending on the plant, you can start to see new roots in one week to several months.
Can you take cuttings from any plant?
Yes, almost any plant can be propagated, however, some plants are more difficult than others to propagate.
For example, it’s very easy to take cuttings from a monstera or snake plant to grow a new plant. But propagating plants like bamboo can be trickier.
Some plants also prefer to be propagated in water, while others like to have their cuttings placed straight into soil.
Just remember that some plants, particularly genetically modified plants, can have a patent that prevents owners from propagating.
While patents are rare (and no one will usually find out if you do it for personal use), propagating them is illegal and selling your cuttings can be very problematic.
When is the best time to take cuttings from plants?
You can propagate plants at any time of year and any time of day. But some periods are more beneficial to propagate than others.
The best time to take cuttings from plants is in the morning, during spring or summer. This is because your plants will have opened up to the sun and have more moisture in their leaves, so they are usually at their best!
During spring and summer is also best, as this is when your plants are in growing season, so root growth can be faster.
10 Best Plants to Propagate in Water
Almost every houseplant can be propagated in water, but the best plants to propagate in water if you’re a beginner or new to propagation are:
- Monstera – by taking cuttings from plants below a root node
- Succulents – via leaf cuttings
- Spider plants – by taking cuttings from plants below a root node
- Snake plants – via leaf cuttings
- Pothos – by taking cuttings from plants below a root node
- Swedish ivy – via stem tip cuttings
- Baby’s tears – via leaf cuttings
- Fiddle leaf fig – via leaf cuttings
- Creeping fig – via stem tip cuttings
- Polka dot plant – via stem tip cuttings
These plants can be propagated in water, by taking a leaf cutting or stem cutting beneath a root node.
10 Best Herbs to Propagate in Water
It isn’t just houseplants you can propagate in water, you can propagate most herbs, too! Here are some of the best herbs to propagate in water:
- Basil
- Thyme
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Lemon balm
- Chives
To propagate these herbs, simply take a cutting from the stem, remove the bottom leaves and place it in a glass propagation station.
Summary
There’s no denying the benefits of plant propagation! It’s rewarding, deeply satisfying and makes an aesthetically pleasing feature on your wall or kitchen windowsill!
Propagating plants in wall-mounted glass propagation stations is an easy and charming way to grow new plants. You can use these stations to continuously add to your plant collection, or simply leave your cuttings in the glass vials for aesthetics!
At House of Two Trees, we’re passionate about sustainability and making a difference. Our handmade products, curated in our Birmingham studio, bring together love, interest and experimentation to bring you something truly unique.
Explore our collection of wall-mounted propagation stations today!
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