What's the easiest plant for beginners to propagate?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Begin the process of effortlessly propagating plants from cuttings, starting with forgiving species like pothos and spider plants. These generous species root so easily, they should boost one's confidence. A neighbor started propagating pothos for the first time in a reused pasta jar and after just 14 days, roots were already growing. Beginners have the luxury of showing progress right before their eyes.
Pothos & Spider Plants
- Cut 4-6 inch stems below nodes
- Submerge nodes in filtered water
- Place near east-facing windows
Mint & Basil
- Snip stems from new growth
- Remove leaves below waterline
- Replace water every 3 days
Mint is rugged; it thrives in trenches. I have successfully rooted stems for weeks in cups. Basil cuttings can aggressively root in your kitchen windows. The roots will emerge fastest in temperatures around 70°F (21°C). You should avoid direct sunny areas when propagating these rooted stems, as direct sun will bleach the leaves. Once the roots are at least 2 inches long, plant them in the soil.
Common Errors
- Using murky water - it breeds bacteria
- Overcrowding jars - limit 3 stems per cup
- Neglecting node placement - roots only grow from nodes
Propagation is even easier with spider plants because their new growths, called pups, come already rooted! Once the Martin's pups have roots that are at least one inch long, cut them off. My office plant has produced 30 pups so far this year. I am sharing some with fellow beginners as they don't need them. Unlike some patented varieties, such as some herbs we have, these varieties can all be propagated.
Read the full article: The Complete Guide to Grow From Cuttings Successfully
