How to Propagate an Aroid Houseplant

Propagation is the process of producing a new plant from a parent plant or separating an existing plant, leaf-cutting, or stem-cutting.

Healthy Houseplant

Shears

Glass Vessel

Water

Identify your choice of houseplant that has nodes or has started to produce a new growth shoot usually growing from under the main plant.

Shown above is a common houseplant known as a pothos, a lowlight resilient houseplant that is very easy to propagate.

Select a healthy shoot on the plant that’s about four to six inches long, and using shears cut just below a leaf joint or node.

Remove any leaves and clean any dirt from the bottom half of the stem, but do leave some remaining leaves at the top for the cutting to absorb sunlight.

Fill a clear glass vessel with water, place the plant cutting in the vessel making sure the bottom half is submerged in water while the leaves remain above water.

Place the glass vessel on a flat surface that receives indirect sunlight and replace the water once a week. Within two weeks, white root buds will start to form at the base of the plant cutting.

Wait till the root system has developed, usually when the roots are at least one inch in length. You may then plant the propagated plant in soil or continue to grow it in a glass vessel with water.