That piece you just pinched or pruned can become a new plant. Stem cuttings are the most common way to propagate soft-stemmed houseplants such as philodendron and pothos.
Take a piece of stem about 8 to 15 cm long, cutting just below a node. Illinois Extension recommends at least two nodes on each cutting, because roots form at the nodes. Remove the lower leaves so that no leaf will sit below the surface, and keep two or three leaves at the top.
Push the bare lower part 2.5 to 7.5 cm into pre-moistened, light rooting mix. Rooting hormone powder is optional. Succulents, cacti and rubber plants root better if the cut end is left to dry for a while first.
A cutting has no roots yet, so it loses water through its leaves faster than it can take it up. Cover the pot loosely with a clear plastic bag to keep humidity high, and place it in bright, indirect light, not direct sun. Soft, watery stems may root within a week; tougher stems may take 10 to 14 days. When roots are about 2.5 cm long, move the cutting into its own small pot.
Key points
- Cut below a node; keep at least two nodes per cutting.
- Remove leaves that would sit under the mix.
- Keep humidity high and light bright but indirect.
Try this
Take one stem cutting from a pothos or philodendron, pot it in damp mix, and cover it with a clear bag in bright shade.
Check yourself
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Sources
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