How to Propagate Your Plants

There’s nothing more satisfying than growing new plants from the ones you already have. Plant propagation isn’t just budget-friendly, it’s also an amazing way to expand your collection and share your favorite plants with friends.

Whether you’re a new plant parent or a seasoned collector, this guide will walk you through the different types of propagation and how to do each one successfully.

What Is Plant Propagation?

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones, using cuttings, leaves, or even divisions of the mother plant. Most houseplants can be propagated with a bit of patience, light, and the right technique.

1. Stem Cutting Propagation

This is the most popular and beginner-friendly method. Perfect for Pothos, Philodendrons, Hoyas, and Monsteras.

How to Do It:

Using clean scissors or pruning shears, cut a 4–6 inch section of stem just below a node (the spot where a leaf meets the stem).

Remove the lower leaves to expose at least one node.

Place the cutting in a jar of clean water or directly into moist soil.

Keep it in bright, indirect light and change the water every few days.

Roots will appear in 1–3 weeks! Once the roots are a few inches long, transplant your new plant into soil.

Runo Tip: Clear glass jars make it easy to see root growth — and they look great on a windowsill!

2. Leaf Cutting Propagation

Some plants can grow entirely new plants from a single leaf. This is a true magic trick of nature. Great for Sansevieria (Snake Plants), Peperomia, Begonias, and African Violets.

How to Do It:

Cut a healthy leaf near the base.

Let the cut end dry for a day (especially for succulents).

Insert the leaf into moist soil or lay it flat if it’s a succulent or Begonia.

Mist lightly and keep in bright, indirect light.

Tiny roots and new leaves will eventually emerge near the cut area.

Runo Tip: Be patient. Leaf propagation takes time but it’s incredibly rewarding.

3. Division Propagation

Division is ideal for clumping plants that naturally produce multiple stems or bulbs, like Peace Lilies, Calatheas, Ferns, Alocasias, and Snake Plants.

How to Do It:

Remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the root ball into sections using your hands or a clean knife.

Make sure each section has roots and a few leaves attached.

Repot each section in fresh soil and water lightly.

This method gives you instant new plants, with no waiting for roots to grow!

4. Air Layering

A more advanced method, air layering is perfect for larger, woody-stemmed plants like Rubber Plants, Fiddle Leaf Figs, and Monsteras.

How to Do It:

Choose a healthy stem and make a small cut halfway through it.

Wrap the wound with moist sphagnum moss and cover it with plastic wrap.

Secure both ends with string or twist ties.

After a few weeks, roots will form inside the moss. Once the roots are visible, cut below them and plant your new baby!

Runo Tip: Keep the moss consistently moist. Dry moss means no roots.

5. Water vs. Soil Propagation

Water propagation is great for beginners and allows you to monitor root growth easily.

Soil propagation helps roots adjust faster once planted, and is ideal for more delicate or tropical plants.

You can experiment to see which method your plant prefers. Some, like Hoya or Philodendron, do equally well in both.

Aftercare: Helping Your New Plants Thrive

Once your cuttings have rooted and been planted:

Keep them in bright, indirect light.

Mist regularly to maintain humidity.

Avoid overwatering. Baby roots are delicate!

Fertilize lightly after a few weeks.

Propagation is one of the most rewarding parts of plant parenthood. It’s a blend of science, patience, and a little bit of love. Whether you’re multiplying your favorite Monstera or starting a collection from scratch, every cutting tells a story of new growth.

At Runo Plants, we’re here to help you grow confidently, from plant cuttings to thriving collections.