Love houseplants? Propagating is a satisfying way to increase your stock for free. Try cuttings, dividing and offsets in soil or water. Busy gardeners will rejoice at growing cuttings in water; hydroponics is the quickest, easiest method of propagation. Simply take cuttings and pop them in a glass of water. You can even grow the desirable Monstera deliciosa, or Swiss cheese plant, in water; cut a stem with three or four leaves and ideally an aerial root too. Ensure leaves sit above the water line to avoid rotting.
Use sharp, clean tools and a sterile growing media like a peat-free houseplant compost, or make up your own mix to adjust the combo of peat-free compost, sand, grit, Vermiculite, Perlite or bark to suit specific plants to ensure roots are well drained and aerated.
Warm summer weather and increased light levels help roots establish quickly, but avoid direct sunlight as this can stress plants; they may dry out too quickly and wilt. Place in a cool bright spot and keep cuttings moist but not waterlogged.
Dividing plants is also a speedy way to multiply your collection. Some houseplants, like peace lilies, can be simply pulled apart, while others like snake plants need to be sliced away from the main rhizome. Get cracking; propagate plants now and by Christmas your new houseplants will have bulked up to make the perfect presents for friends.
TOP TIPS
Grow tradescantia cuttings in water. Cut stems 10cm above a node, remove lower leaves, pop in water; roots will appear within a week.
Divide snake plants. Tip the pot out, cut off new pups from main rhizome and leave to callous over before potting on.
Pot offsets. Rat tail cactus produces new growths on trailing stems. Pick off pups and pop in potting mix.
Snip off a mature, healthy Begonia rex leaf. Slice 1cm cut across underside of main veins, pin leaf on compost with small stones.
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