I’ve always loved my garden outdoors. From fragrant peonies, to stately irises, to humble coreopsis, my yard is a riot of color from April through October. Ever since the pandemic, however, I’ve developed a bit of a green thumb with houseplants, too. Nothing makes a space come alive more quickly than the addition of beautiful, natural greenery and flowers! Of course, as a hobby, growing a nice range of houseplants can sometimes be pricey. Beautiful bonsai and unusual orchids can regularly run between $50 to over $100 each. And, any sort of tree (palm, fiddle leaf fig, ficus) should been seen as an actual investment. But, if you are willing to take a bit of time, propagating plants from cuttings is a cost-effective way to expand your “indoor garden.”
Although there may still be a blanket of snow outdoors, February is actually an excellent time for houseplant propagation. Whether you’re expanding your collection of houseplants to include new specimens, or even starting perennials for your outdoor garden, here’s what you need to know.
Best Houseplants to Propagate in February
Since indoor plants are kept in climate-controlled conditions, they generally don’t experience extreme winter dormancy. So, propagation can occur year-round (However, by February I am getting oh-so-antsy to get outside in the garden, so this is usually when I begin in earnest.) My favorite candidates for easy propagation include:
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): This low-maintenance houseplant is one of the easiest plants to propagate. According to The Spruce, “Pothos are fast-growing plants often adding 12 to 18 inches of length in a month. Draping vines feature pointed, heart-shaped green leaves that may be variegated with white, yellow, or pale green striations.” (Please note that pothos plants are toxic to pets.)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): A thriving spider plant will send out “baby spiders” almost endlessly and these can simply be snipped off and rooted. In fact, spider plants are so prolific that you’ll want to share them with all of your houseplant loving family and friends!
Philodendron: Heartleaf and other vining philodendrons thrive from stem cuttings. The experts at Petals and Hedges recommend, “cuttings should be about 5 inches long and have 2 or 3 leaves. Take the cuttings right above a node. You can root the cuttings in potting soil, water, or LECA balls. It is not necessary to use a rooting hormone, but it will speed up rooting.”
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): With its sleek, tall foliage, a snake plant provides a wonderful contrast to vines and other common houseplant silhouettes. However, there are some caveats when propagating. According to Better Homes and Gardens, “Unique foliage patterns, such as mottled leaves or gold leaf margins, are usually lost when a snake plant is multiplied by cuttings. A variegated leaf cutting will root, and new shoots (or pups) that emerge are generally solid green. A solid green snake plant makes a great houseplant, but you should know that a cutting won’t produce a replica of the parent plant.” Instead, dividing a snake plant will give you plants with the same leaf coloring as the original.
Begonias: One of my favorites, these pretty plants are incredibly easy to propagate. Simply cut a good-sized stem (4 to 6 inches) just below a node. Remove any lower leaves, leaving two or three at the top. Although it’s not mandatory, dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can help accelerate growth. Plant in soil with good drainage and watch it grow!
Coleus: Vibrantly colored coleus is the plant that keeps giving. A low-maintenance beauty, it also grows quickly, and it can be propagated in water or soil. Bonus! Not only does this make a showy houseplant, it also creates a stunning display outdoors. (Coleus prefers mild winters in zones 10a-11b. Ideal conditions are between 65°to 75°F during the day, and above 60°F night.)
Tools of the Trade for Propagating Plants
Propagation as a process is pretty simple, but having the right tools will increases your success rate. Here’s what you’ll need for propagating plants:
- Sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors
- Rooting hormone (different plants have different needs, so read instructions carefully)
- Small pots with drainage or propagation trays
- Fresh potting mix or perlite
- Clear plastic bags or cloches Not mandatory, but these help plants retain moisture)
- Water containers (These need not be new, but must be clean. I thrift everything from vintage glass milk bottles to extra tall vases for the purpose.)
Sharing Your Plants
One of the best ways to grow your plant collection without spending a cent is through plant swaps. (If you have plant loving friends, this is a great excuse to get together.)
You can also join local community groups to find like-minded folks with plants to share (for example, in my area the Delaware Center for Horticultural and Longwood Garden both offer a multitude of community programs).
Or, depending on where you live, coffee shops and community centers frequently offer “plant trade stations” where you can drop off or pick up cuttings of new plants to expand your collection and share the wealth from your cuttings.
Do you have more tips on propagating plants? Other easy to grow favorites I may have missed? Please share in the comments!
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