Propagation library

How to propagate 10153 of the most-asked-about plants.

Every species has its own correct method. Pick a plant for a step-by-step guide written for that exact species — the right cut, the right medium, a realistic rooting timeline, the failure points, and aftercare.

New to propagation? Start with the method, not the plant.

There are roughly six families of technique — nodal stem cuttings, leaf and offset (succulents), division (ferns, clumps, rhizomes), plantlets and runners, keiki (orchids), and seed (palms and most edibles). Our deep-dive articles walk through each one with photos and the rooting-hormone debate:

Plant propagation methods — water, soil, leaf and division compared — the method-by-species matrix and tools that actually matter.
How to propagate pothos — the 14-day nodal-cutting walkthrough — the model technique for every vining aroid.

Foliage houseplants

From easy nodal-cutting vines to leaf-and-offset succulents and the snake plant / ZZ rhizome group — each needs a different technique.

Snake plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Leaf cuttings or rhizome division

Leaf cuttings 6–8 weeks (rhizome much slower); division is instant

Dracaena

Dracaena fragrans / marginata

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Peperomia

Peperomia obtusifolia

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

ZZ plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Leaf cuttings or rhizome division

Leaf cuttings 6–8 weeks (rhizome much slower); division is instant

Jade plant

Crassula ovata

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Aloe vera

Aloe barbadensis

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Cast iron plant

Aspidistra elatior

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Spider plant

Chlorophytum comosum

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

String of pearls

Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Yucca

Yucca elephantipes

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Ponytail palm

Beaucarnea recurvata

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

English ivy

Hedera helix

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Wandering dude

Tradescantia zebrina

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Maidenhair fern

Adiantum raddianum

Division of the rootball (or spore sowing for the patient)

Division establishes in 4–8 weeks; spores take many months

Staghorn fern

Platycerium bifurcatum

Division of the rootball (or spore sowing for the patient)

Division establishes in 4–8 weeks; spores take many months

Air plant

Tillandsia

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Cacti (general care)

Cactaceae

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Echeveria

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Sedum

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Haworthia

Haworthiopsis attenuata

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Lithops

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Norfolk Island pine

Araucaria heterophylla

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Lucky bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana

Nodal cane cuttings rooted in water

Roots in 2–4 weeks

Rex begonia

Begonia rex

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Tropicals and aroids

Most aroids root from a nodal stem cutting in water or soil. Ferns in this group are the exception — they divide or sow from spores, never from cuttings.

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Fiddle leaf fig

Ficus lyrata

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Prayer plant

Maranta leuconeura

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Calathea

Calathea (Goeppertia) spp.

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Chinese evergreen

Aglaonema commutatum

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Parlor palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Rubber plant

Ficus elastica

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Schefflera

Schefflera arboricola

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Alocasia

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Croton

Codiaeum variegatum

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia seguine

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Areca palm

Dypsis lutescens

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Elephant ear

Colocasia esculenta

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Boston fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Division of the rootball (or spore sowing for the patient)

Division establishes in 4–8 weeks; spores take many months

Money tree

Pachira aquatica

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Guzmania

Guzmania lingulata

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Arrowhead plant

Syngonium podophyllum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Cordyline

Cordyline fruticosa

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Golden pothos

Epipremnum aureum 'Golden'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Marble queen pothos

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Neon pothos

Epipremnum aureum 'Neon'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Silver pothos

Scindapsus pictus

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Flowering houseplants

Orchids propagate by keiki or pseudobulb division (never cuttings); African violets and rex begonias from a single leaf; many others by division.

Peace lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Bird of paradise

Strelitzia reginae

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Hoya

Hoya carnosa

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks

Anthurium

Anthurium andraeanum

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Bromeliad

Bromeliaceae (various genera)

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

Callus 1–3 days; roots/babies in 2–4 weeks

Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

African violet

Saintpaulia ionantha

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Orchid

Phalaenopsis spp.

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

Keikis: pot up once 2–3 roots form; division establishes in months

Cattleya orchid

Cattleya

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

Keikis: pot up once 2–3 roots form; division establishes in months

Dendrobium orchid

Dendrobium

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

Keikis: pot up once 2–3 roots form; division establishes in months

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Rose

Rosa

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Tulip

Tulipa

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Daffodil

Narcissus

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Geranium (pelargonium)

Pelargonium × hortorum

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Petunia

Petunia × hybrida

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Marigold

Tagetes

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Dahlia

Dahlia pinnata

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Peony

Paeonia

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Vegetables and fruit

Mostly grown from seed, with suckering or softwood-cutting shortcuts for fruit, and plantlet/runner propagation for strawberries.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Garlic

Allium sativum

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Pea

Pisum sativum

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Squash

Cucurbita pepo

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Carrot

Daucus carota

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Strawberries

Fragaria × ananassa

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

Blueberries

Vaccinium corymbosum

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Raspberries

Rubus idaeus

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

Zucchini / courgette

Cucurbita pepo

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Onions

Allium cepa

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Radish

Raphanus sativus

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Lemon tree

Citrus limon

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Avocado

Persea americana

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Butternut squash

Cucurbita moschata

Seed (with cuttings or suckering as a shortcut where possible)

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Culinary herbs

Soft herbs root in days from a tip cutting in water; woody Mediterranean herbs root better as semi-hardwood cuttings in gritty mix under a dome.

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Herb garden

mixed culinary herbs

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Mint

Mentha

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Cilantro / coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Sage

Salvia officinalis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

French tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Sweet marjoram

Origanum majorana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Division of the crown / rhizome

Full plants from day one; settles in 3–6 weeks

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

Stem-tip cutting (with a node) or air layering

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Summer savory

Satureja hortensis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Winter savory

Satureja montana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

Roots in 1–3 weeks; pot up at 3–4 weeks

Not sure if your cutting is rooting?

Photograph it in the Growli app — it identifies the species, confirms the right method, and tracks the rooting timeline so you know exactly when to pot up. Need full care once it's growing? Head to /plant-care.

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