Indoor potted plants are fairly cheap and easy to buy, but learning to propagate plants adds a lot of joy to growing flowers. Propagated plants can be given to friends, which adds a sense of achievement. There are 6 methods of propagating green plants for you to choose from. Which method do you usually use to propagate?

There are some basic principles for propagating plants. As long as you master the fairly basic techniques, whether it is propagation by cuttings or propagation by division, it will become easier.

Most indoor plants can be propagated by stem cuttings, generally done when the potting soil is half dry and half moist. Prepare some sandy soil that drains well and is loose and breathable, which makes rooting easier. Generally, use peat moss mixed with perlite in a 3:2 ratio.

After cutting the stem, remove the lower leaves, as this helps the base take root. It is best to prepare some rooting powder, which can promote rooting and also sterilize and disinfect. In addition, prepare sharp scissors, preferably disinfected with alcohol or fire.

1. Propagation by division

Many indoor plants easily grow side branches or seedlings. When these side branches grow relatively large, they will grow some roots or aerial roots. At this time, we only need to use a sharp knife or scissors to cut them off, cutting off the side shoots together with the roots. Then wait for the cut to dry, or dip it in a little rooting powder, and it can be directly inserted into the soil.

Plants that easily grow side branches include aloe, scarlet star bromeliad, snake plant, and Hen and Chickens (Sempervivum).

2. Transplanting runners

Many plants easily grow runners, such as the common spider plant or strawberry. These offshoots can be cut off directly and replanted into the soil, or their offshoots can be pressed into the soil and held down with a paper clip or a small stone. Then wait for the offshoots to take root and sprout before cutting them off. The success rate of this kind of propagation is also very high.

3. Stem propagation

Most indoor plants are propagated by stem cuttings. Directly cut off a section of stem about 9-12 cm long, and you can choose to do it in spring and summer.

Choose relatively robust stems free of pests and diseases. When pruning, be careful to use sharp scissors and make a slanted cut. The cut stem should have its lower leaves removed and be placed in a ventilated, shaded place to let the wound dry, generally for 30 minutes to 2 hours before replanting. The base of the stem can be dipped in a little rooting powder.

4. Leaf cutting propagation

Leaf cutting propagation is very wonderful. As long as you pluck off one leaf of a plant and insert it directly into the soil, it can take root and sprout. Be careful to choose robust, thick leaves, and remove the leaf together with the petiole intact. If it is a plant with a longer petiole, you can cut off half of the petiole, such as African violet.

The cut leaves can be left to let the wound dry, dipped in a little rooting powder, and finally inserted into the soil. If it is a succulent plant, it can be laid flat on the soil surface.

Afterward, place it in a ventilated place with bright light for care. You can water a little to keep the soil slightly moist, but it must not be overly wet. If it is a succulent plant, avoid watering.

Plants that can be propagated by leaf cuttings include African violet, begonia, jade plant, money tree, snake plant, and succulents.

5. Propagation by sowing

Many plants are propagated by sowing. You can directly buy flower seeds online, or collect some yourself. Propagation by sowing can give you a great many plant seedlings, but the drawbacks are also fairly obvious: growth will be relatively slow, it takes more time, and they may not necessarily survive.

For propagation by sowing, you can soak them in clean water as appropriate, then spread them evenly over the soil, then water thoroughly, keep the soil slightly moist, and place it in a ventilated place with bright light.

6. Propagation by layering

Propagation by layering is a very easy method to succeed with. Press a section of a plant's stem into the soil. The part of the stem pressed into the soil should have a ring of bark removed with a sharp knife, that is, directly cut away a ring of the outer bark, so that the section of stem pressed into the soil can root quickly. However, this section of stem can still continue to obtain nutrients from the mother plant, which is also the reason why propagation by layering easily succeeds.