The Three Simplest Cutting Propagation Methods with Super High Survival Rates

Many gardening enthusiasts get a real headache when it comes to cuttings. Cuttings offer many benefits: you don't need to spend money on potted plants, and a segment of stem, a single leaf, or even just a small bud can successfully grow into a plant.

But overall, cuttings really test your skills, which is often the reason many people are deterred.

Actually, cuttings are not as difficult as everyone imagines. Next, let me introduce three simple cutting methods with super high survival rates!

Leaf Cuttings

Besides succulents, there are many other plants that can be easily propagated from just a single leaf, such as the rubber tree (Ficus elastica), African violet (Saintpaulia), and ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).

And most surprisingly, some of them can even root just by dropping a leaf into a flower pot, which is very convenient.

Take the rubber tree for example. When selecting a leaf, choose a healthy one with a small young bud at the base, as this will give a higher chance of survival.

Place the leaf flat on sandy soil, bury the petiole part into the soil, then put it in a cool and well-ventilated place, keeping the soil moist.

Then simply wait quietly. Basically, in about three days, the rubber tree leaf will grow new roots.

Tip Cuttings

This cutting method is mainly for some relatively short herbaceous plants, such as moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora), mint, perilla, and wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens).

These plants have strong adaptability to the environment; just a small lateral bud is enough to grow a whole new plant.

Take mint for example. Select a branch with a tip bud, remove all the leaves from the branch, and then simply insert it into water.

These plants grow relatively fast. Basically, in about a week, new roots will grow, and then you can insert this branch into soil for normal care.

Stem Cuttings

This is a cutting method suitable for most plants. Generally speaking, as long as the plant's stem has a growth point, the plant can be propagated through stem cuttings.

Before cutting, all tools that may be used during the process, including containers, tweezers, and even the cutting soil, must be sterilized to avoid viral infection.

When selecting branches for cuttings, make sure to choose healthy and plump ones with no root rot or signs of leggy growth, about 15 cm in length.

After cutting the branch for propagation, don't rush to insert it into the soil. You can place the branch in a ventilated area to dry for a while, and wait until the wound on the surface has completely healed before doing the cutting.

Then insert the branch into sandy soil and wait for it to sprout new roots. You can choose perlite or gravel as the soil medium, and be careful to water appropriately to keep the soil moist.

You can cover the surface with plastic wrap or a plastic bag, which helps increase air humidity.

Basically, within no more than a week, the branch will sprout new roots. After that, you can transfer it to a new pot for normal care.

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