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Types of Propagations

At Adopt A Plant you will find two types of propagations: leaf cuttings and stem cuttings.
This guide will go over the basics of both, and offer a step-by-step DIY guide with pictures.

Leaf Cuttings

These are the most common, and can be done on any plant from pothos to snake plants.

Step 1: Identify a healthy leaf or section of the plant for your cutting. Cuttings with 2-3 leaves will have a higher chance of success for propagation.

Picture of a green, healthy, and slightly overgrown pothos plant. Pothos have heart shaped leaves and grow as if part of a system of vines.

Step 2: Find the node, and cut just below it. Cutting at a diagonal will help the new plant absorb water and develop new roots.

A picture of a pair of scissors resting against the base of a node with two leaves on a pothos plant. The scissors are bent at a diagonal.                                Picture of an example of a pothos propogation. This propogation is just one leaf, and is being held up by a person's hand.

Step 3: Fill a container* with clean water, and add your cutting.

Image of a hand holding up a small glass jar against a white background. The jar is filled roughly halfway up with water.

Step 4: Congratulations on your new plant! Be sure to change the water 1-2 times a week or when cloudy, and you're good to go!

Image of a hand holding a finished pothos propagation. There is a single leaf propagation in a small glass that is filled roughly halfway with water.

 

*Tip: Clear containers work the best, and allow you to observe the root growth as well as identify any potential problems.

Stem Cuttings

Stem cuttings are great on plants such as succulents and cacti.


Step 1: Identify off-shoots on the main body of the plant. This will be any segment or leaf that appears to be growing separately from the main body. Refer to the picture below for an example.

A picture of an example of an offshoot from a jade plant. A hand is holding where a stem splits into two. There are two white arrows pointing to offshoot on the right of the split.

Step 2: Gently twist and pop the segment off of the main plant. If this is difficult you may gently use a knife. You may also use healthy leaves that have fallen or been knocked off of the plant. Place the separated segment on a paper towel and allow to dry for 3-4 days. A callus should form over them.

An example of "leaves" of a two different types of succulents. There are two smaller diamond shaped leaves laying on the left of a counter, and a longer leaf laying to the right.

Step 3: Fill your container with succulent or cacti potting soil, and then lay the segment or leaves on top. Keep the soil moist, but avoid watering the leaves or making the soil too wet. Once roots have formed, you can move your new succulent or cacti to their pot. Congratulations on your new plant!

Image of a potted succulent propagation. Roots have formed and there is already a new plant growing from the base of the stem cutting.

Tip: Wait! Your propagations should take a few weeks to begin to root. Don't be alarmed if the segment or leaf looks dry or shriveled, it's all part of the process.