I was watching a true crime documentary last night on Netflix and it got me thinking: If you love and nurture plants, your family can rest easy that you’re probably not a serial killer. Random, maybe, but almost certainly true!
I’m easily influenced when it comes to plants! I took a live, virtual propagation workshop with Hilton Carter, author of Wild At Home and Wild Interiors. The workshop is 90 minutes long on Zoom. He is incredibly engaging, funny, and happy to answer all of your questions- even ones about the specific plants in your home (which he can see!) He and Life Love Larson inspired me to add a propagation wall to our home. The entire back of our house is basically floor to ceiling windows, so it’s a shame to not let them do their magic on some plant babies!! The best part? All but two of the cuttings I used were from plants already in our home!
Supplies: clean shears or a a serrated knife, clear glass vessels (so you can see the roots), lukewarm water, & bright, indirect light
First, I measured where the panel nails would go so that they were the same distance apart both horizontally and vertically. I marked each spot with a pencil and hammered them in.
Next, I filled each beaker with lukewarm water using a watering can with a spout. I just used tap water. Be sure not to use hot or cold water because it can cause stress to your cuttings and keep them from rooting.
Then, I chose my plants. Once you’ve decided on the types of plants you’re going to use, you can determine which type of propogation is needed for that plant (stem cut, tip cut, or leaf cut). This will require some Googling. I made sure to choose a variety of colors and sizes for interest.
Top to bottom, left to right: ZZ, Aloe, Calathea, Pothos, Hindu Rope, Monstera, Calathea Medallion, Snakes, & Rubber Plant
Important: If you’re wanting to create a fuller plant, propagate several stems of that type of plant in the same tube so that you can plant them altogether.
Now just practice patience! Add fresh water when the beaker looks low. If the water looks murky or fungus is beginning to grow, replace it with fresh lukewarm water. Clean with a bottle brush is needed. Check root growth weekly. Some plants will root faster than others and every once in a while one may not root at all. When roots are several inches long, they’re ready to be planted in soil using pots a couple inches larger than their root system! Kick back & high five yourself for creating free plants!
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