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Propagation Lab
Method first, then the plants that suit it. Every step has a reason.
- Stem cuttings in waterForgivingThe classic jar on the windowsill — watch roots form in real time.Roots in 1–4 weeks for pothos and philodendron; 3–8 weeks for monstera and hoya.
- Stem cuttings in soil or mossModerateRoot straight into the medium the plant will live in — no transplant shock.Roots in 2–6 weeks depending on species and warmth.
- Leaf cuttingsModerateA single leaf grows a whole new plant — but only for the species that can.Roots in 3–8 weeks for roots; 2–4 months for visible plantlets.
- DivisionForgivingOne crowded pot becomes two or three established plants in an afternoon.Roots in Immediate — each division already has roots. Two to four weeks to settle.
- Offsets, pups and plantletsForgivingThe plant does the work — you just detach the baby at the right moment.Roots in Plantlets on runners often have roots already. Pups from the base: 2–6 weeks.
- Air layeringDemandingGrow roots on the stem while it is still attached — for big, woody or precious plants.Roots in 4–12 weeks.
- From seedDemandingThe slowest route and the most complete — a whole life from the first leaf.Roots in Germination 1–8 weeks depending on species; years to a mature plant.
The one rule under all of them
A cutting is a plant with no roots and full-sized leaves: it loses water it cannot replace. Every method either keeps the piece attached until it has roots (layering, offsets), gives it roots already (division), or slows water loss with humidity while roots form (cuttings). Once you see that, you can improvise the rest.