How to propagate 200 of the most-asked-about plants.

Dracaena trifasciata

Leaf cuttings or rhizome division

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

Dracaena fragrans / marginata

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Peperomia obtusifolia

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Leaf cuttings or rhizome division

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

Crassula ovata

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

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

Aloe barbadensis

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Aspidistra elatior

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Chlorophytum comosum

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Yucca elephantipes

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Beaucarnea recurvata

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Hedera helix

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Tradescantia zebrina

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Adiantum raddianum

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

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

Platycerium bifurcatum

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

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

Tillandsia

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

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

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

Araucaria heterophylla

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Dracaena sanderiana

Nodal cane cuttings rooted in water

Roots in 2–4 weeks

Begonia rex

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Fittonia albivenis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Pilea peperomioides

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Ficus benjamina

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Dracaena marginata

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Dracaena fragrans

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Cycas revoluta

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Rhapis excelsa

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Howea forsteriana

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Ravenea rivularis

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Caryota mitis

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Polyscias fruticosa

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Hoya kerrii

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Hoya carnosa

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Ceropegia woodii

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Senecio radicans

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Senecio peregrinus

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Sedum morganianum

Trailing strand cuttings laid on the soil surface

Roots from the nodes in 2–4 weeks

Ficus benghalensis

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Nephrolepis cordifolia

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

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

Asparagus aethiopicus

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

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

Pellaea rotundifolia

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

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

Nephrolepis obliterata

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

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

Microsorum musifolium

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

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

Monstera deliciosa

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Epipremnum aureum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Ficus lyrata

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Philodendron hederaceum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Maranta leuconeura

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Calathea (Goeppertia) spp.

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Aglaonema commutatum

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Chamaedorea elegans

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Ficus elastica

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Schefflera arboricola

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Codiaeum variegatum

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Dieffenbachia seguine

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Dypsis lutescens

Seed (palms cannot be grown from cuttings)

Germination 1–3 months; years to a saleable plant

Colocasia esculenta

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Nephrolepis exaltata

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

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

Pachira aquatica

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Guzmania lingulata

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Syngonium podophyllum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Cordyline fruticosa

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Epipremnum aureum 'Golden'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Epipremnum aureum 'Neon'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Scindapsus pictus

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Monstera adansonii

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Philodendron hederaceum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Caladium bicolor

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Strelitzia nicolai

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Vriesea splendens

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Strelitzia reginae

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Hoya carnosa

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil

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

Anthurium andraeanum

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Bromeliaceae (various genera)

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Leaf pulls plus offset (pup) removal

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

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Saintpaulia ionantha

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Phalaenopsis spp.

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

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

Cattleya

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

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

Dendrobium

Keiki (plantlet) potting or division of pseudobulbs

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

Lavandula angustifolia

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Matricaria chamomilla

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Rosa

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Tulipa

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Narcissus

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Pelargonium × hortorum

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Petunia × hybrida

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Tagetes

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Zinnia elegans

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Dahlia pinnata

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Paeonia

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Hydrangea macrophylla

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Helianthus annuus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Clivia miniata

Separating the offsets (pups) it produces at the base

Establishes in 4–8 weeks after separation

Coleus scutellarioides

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Oxalis triangularis

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Iris germanica

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Crocus vernus

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Hyacinthus orientalis

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Convallaria majalis

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Antirrhinum majus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Viola × wittrockiana

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Impatiens walleriana

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Begonia × hortensis

Leaf cuttings (petiole or leaf-vein method)

Babies form in 4–8 weeks

Plectranthus scutellarioides

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Tropaeolum majus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Cosmos bipinnatus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Salvia splendens

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Lupinus polyphyllus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Myosotis sylvatica

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Lathyrus odoratus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Helleborus orientalis

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Primula vulgaris

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Solanum lycopersicum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Capsicum annuum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucumis sativus

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Lactuca sativa

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Phaseolus vulgaris

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Allium sativum

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Pisum sativum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Daucus carota

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Fragaria × ananassa

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

Vaccinium corymbosum

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Rubus idaeus

Rooting the plantlets it sends out on runners

Roots in 1–2 weeks once the plantlet is potted

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Allium cepa

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Spinacia oleracea

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica oleracea var. italica

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Raphanus sativus

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Solanum tuberosum

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Citrus limon

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Persea americana

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita moschata

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucurbita pepo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Solanum melongena

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Abelmoschus esculentus

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Ipomoea batatas

Lifting and separating offset bulbs / tubers

Offsets flower the next season or two

Capsicum annuum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Capsicum annuum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Capsicum chinense

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Zea mays

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Phaseolus vulgaris

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Phaseolus lunatus

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Pisum sativum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Pisum sativum

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Citrullus lanatus

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucumis melo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Cucumis melo

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Asparagus officinalis

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Rheum rhabarbarum

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Beta vulgaris

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica rapa

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Pastinaca sativa

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Foeniculum vulgare

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Eruca sativa

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

Seed to transplant in 4–8 weeks

Ocimum basilicum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

mixed culinary herbs

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Mentha

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Salvia rosmarinus

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Thymus vulgaris

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Origanum vulgare

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Petroselinum crispum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Coriandrum sativum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Salvia officinalis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Anethum graveolens

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Allium schoenoprasum

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Artemisia dracunculus

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Origanum majorana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Melissa officinalis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Nepeta cataria

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Aloysia citrodora

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Cymbopogon citratus

Division of the crown / rhizome

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

Stevia rebaudiana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Laurus nobilis

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

Roots in 6–10 weeks

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Satureja hortensis

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Satureja montana

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Artemisia absinthium

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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

Agastache foeniculum

Softwood tip cuttings in water or soil

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