Extend Your Plant Collection With Propagation
One of the best reasons to divide plants is to save money on seeds and new plants. With some time and effort, you can multiply the plants in your home and garden — essentially for free.
Another common reason to divide plants is to prevent overcrowding. Many potted plants and perennials need occasional thinning to prevent crowding of the root systems. Whether you have fast-growing or slow-growing plants, there's a good chance you'll eventually notice some overcrowding. Here are some common signs of overcrowding to pay attention to.
Signs of Overcrowding in Houseplants
- Roots protrude from the pot's drainage hole
- Plants look crowded or top-heavy
- Plants wilt soon after watering because their roots have filled the pot, and the soil is unable to hold water due to lack of space
- Lower leaves turn yellow and die
- Centers of old plants die out.
Signs of Overcrowding in Perennials
- Growth in the center of the plant starts to slow or die
- Clumps of growth occur on the outside ring of the perennial
- Plants may not bloom as often or as much as before
How to Divide Plants Naturally
The easiest way to propagate plants is by naturally dividing flowers produced from bulbs (tulips, lilies, etc.). These plants form tiny bulbs on the sides of the original bulb after a year of growth. When the plant is dormant (after it flowers), lift it out of the ground, remove the tiny bulbs by hand and plant them individually. Replant the original bulb. New bulbs require at least one year to fully mature.
Another example of natural division is offsets or offshoots, which are stems coming from the base of a plant just under the ground. They often have roots of their own and can be removed from the parent plant and grown into new plants. Plants such as pandanus, sansevieria and aloe are good examples. Snake plants, Boston ferns, cast-iron plants, African violets, philodendrons and asparagus ferns are also good plants to divide. Each of these plants produces a cluster of stems at the base of the plant, making them easy to split up.
The best time to divide houseplants is in the spring while they're beginning an active growth period. Before you begin the division or cutting, give the plant less water than usual to firm up the top growth. When you're ready to divide a houseplant, remove it carefully from the pot and cut the various sections apart with a sharp, sterile knife. Don’t use clippers as they can crush fragile stems. Make sure there is a good root and top on each section. Work as quickly as possible to prevent the plants from drying out. Repot all the divisions in fresh soil and water immediately. Divide perennials the same way after they finish flowering. For example, plants that bloom in spring should be divided in early summer, and plants that bloom in summer should be divided in early fall.
How to Propagate Succulents and Cacti
Succulents and cacti with "pads" or individual sections are fairly easy to propagate. To get started, you'll need to get a potting mix for succulents and cacti. You'll also need sharp, clean scissors, thick gloves and tongs (so you can safely handle prickly cacti) and planters to put the cuttings into.
How to Propagate From Cuttings
Plants produced from cuttings are identical to the parent plant and provide a replica of your favorite plant. A cutting is a piece of a branch, root or leaf that's separated from a plant and used to create a new plant. Creating the right conditions for a cutting to root can be tricky. Warm temperatures and high humidity are essential.
There are three common types of cuttings:
- A leaf-stem cutting is a piece of the plant's stem that is cut just below a joint or a growing point and has at least three leaves. All you have to do is remove the lower leaves and insert the stem halfway into a damp rooting medium. To root azaleas, lavender and gardenias, include some of the woody stem in the medium to assist in the process. If you're interested in growing a plant in water, leaf stem cuttings from geraniums, impatiens, coleus, ivy and philodendron should only be rooted in water.
- Leaf cuttings differ from leaf-stem cuttings. A leaf cutting is a single leaf or a portion of a leaf that can be used to propagate a plant. The stem is not necessary for rooting. African violets, kalanchoes, jade plants, snake plants and prayer plants are perfect candidates for leaf cuttings. Cut an inch section and insert upright in a rooting medium to start the rooting process.
- Root cuttings are made by dividing the root clumps of a specific plant with a knife. Divide root cuttings when the plant is dormant, which usually occurs during the cooler months of the year. This method works well for African violets and most ferns, particularly Boston ferns. Make root cuttings from ferns by cutting inch sections just below root nodes. Bury the fern cuttings in the same soil as the parent plant.
To grow a healthy plant from a cutting, follow the steps below.
Propagate in Rooting Medium
Propagate in Water
How to Propagate Plants With Runners
Some plants naturally expand with vine-like growths (or runners). You can use these runners to propagate the plant. Peg the runner to the soil by pushing it down at intervals, an inch or two into the soil. Use a bent paperclip to hold it in place if needed. Make sure it's well covered. When roots have formed, lift and plant the root cluster. Be sure to cut off any excess runners.
Watch our Garden Basics video: How Do I Transplant or Split A Plant?