Plant Propagation by Rooting Indoor Plants from Cuttings

About Rooting Indoor Plants from Cuttings

You’ve got a beautiful plant growing in your living room. You wish you had one just like it to give to someone as a gift. Well, you can! A common way to grow new plants from existing ones is by taking cuttings and rooting them in water. It is generally known as “plant rooting” or “growing cuttings”. Propagating and growing indoor plants from root cuttings is possible with a wide range of houseplants, bushes, and shrubs. For bushes and shrubs, if the stems are soft wooded, chances are they can be rooted to grow new plants. I always tell growers when in doubt, to give it a try. Here’s how to root houseplants from cuttings

Rooting new plants is easy, too. Root most cuttings in water. Roses are the most notable exception. Root roses in moist soil.

How to Root Houseplants from Cuttings

Here is how most plants are rooted…..

Cut a few 5-6 inch cuttings from the plant.
Select new, soft wooded growth.
Add one to two inches of water in a glass or jar.
Place cuttings in the glass of water.
Add more water as the level goes down.
Watch for root growth.
After roots appear, wait until they get about 1/2″ long.
Plant rooted cuttings into a container or directly into your garden.

Did you know? Propagation by cuttings in a sense is “cloning”. It results in a genetic match with the mother (or donor) plant.

Root separation, or separating roots, is similar, yet different. This is commonly practiced with perennial flower plants. Many perennial flowers are spread by their root system. They get overcrowded and need thinning from time to time. Often, a friend sees the perennials and expresses interest in some of the beautiful plants. Eager to oblige a friend, gardeners will dig up and separate the roots, giving some of the roots to their friends.

Rooting Plants Indoors - Hormone Rooting Powder

In most cases, your efforts to root new plants from cuttings are successful. However, there is a Hormone Rooting Powder is available to help increase the success rate of plant rooting. And, it speeds up the process. They contain antioxidant enzymes for faster rooting. Studies show these hormones are effective. These powders (or compounds) are readily available at your local garden center or online.

Also, you can make a homemade rooting compound. Cinnamon is one common ingredient in homemade recipes. Sometimes, homemade recipes include apple cider vinegar, aspirin, and honey.

Did You Know? Some people use spit as a plant rooting stimulant!