Propagation guide

How to propagate Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) (Selaginella lepidophylla) — step by step

Also called Rose of Jericho, False Rose of Jericho, Resurrection plant, Resurrection moss, Dinosaur plant, Flower of stone, Doradilla.

The best way to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

The reliable, beginner-friendly way to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant) is nodal stem cuttings in water or soil. It suits this species because of how it grows: low, spreading rosette of flat, scale-like fronds. in drought the stems curl tightly inward into a dry brown ball; when rehydrated they unfurl flat and turn green. it can lose up to 95% of its moisture and survive, repeating this wet-dry cycle for years.. Propagated mainly by division - separate a healthy section while the plant is hydrated and green, in spring or autumn, and keep it moist and warm to establish. As a spore-bearing lycophyte it can also be grown from spores, but this is slow (germination can take weeks) and impractical for most home growers.

For the wider picture of which technique suits which plant, our guide to plant propagation methods compares water, soil, leaf, division and offset propagation side by side.

Step-by-step: propagating rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

Find a node. Locate a node on a healthy rose of jericho (resurrection plant) vine — the small bump where a leaf or aerial root meets the stem. New roots only emerge from nodes, so every cutting must contain one.
Take the cutting. With clean, sharp scissors cut about 1 cm below the node at a slight angle. Aim for a 10–15 cm cutting with 2–3 nodes and one or two leaves at the top.
Strip lower leaves. Remove leaves from the bottom node(s) so the bare nodes can sit in water or soil. A submerged leaf rots and fouls the water.
Root it. Stand the cutting in a glass of room-temperature water with the node(s) covered, or push it into moist potting mix. Place in bright indirect light. Change the water every 4–5 days.
Pot up. When the new roots are 3–5 cm long (usually 2–4 weeks), pot the cutting into a small container of light, well-draining, slightly acidic mix (or none) and keep it slightly moister than normal for the first fortnight.

The alternative method

If the main route does not suit your plant or setup, soil propagation (skip the water glass) is the next best option for rose of jericho (resurrection plant). Push the nodal cutting straight into moist potting mix instead of water — the roots that form are soil-adapted from day one, so there is no transition shock, though you cannot watch progress through the glass.

Timeline to roots

Realistically: roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks. These numbers assume spring or summer warmth and bright indirect light. In a cold, dark room — or in winter dormancy — the same rose of jericho (resurrection plant) propagation can take twice as long or stall completely, so do not panic if progress looks slow out of season. Patience beats poking: disturbing a forming root system to “check” on it is a common way to set it back.

Common failure points

Taking a cutting with no node — leaves alone never root, no matter how long they sit in water.
Letting the water go stagnant; refresh it every 4–5 days or the cut end slimes and rots.
Potting up water-rooted cuttings too late — long, brittle water roots struggle to adapt to soil. Move them at 3–5 cm.
Propagating off a stressed, pest-ridden or recently-repotted rose of jericho (resurrection plant) — always take material from a healthy, established parent.

When to do it

The best window is spring and summer (active growth). Propagation is energetically expensive for a plant, and it only has the spare resources to build new roots when it is already growing actively, warm and well-lit. Out-of-season attempts are not pointless, but expect lower success and a longer wait.

Aftercare

For the first two to three weeks after potting, keep the new rose of jericho (resurrection plant) slightly moister than you would a mature plant and out of direct sun while the young roots adapt from water (or cutting medium) to soil. Hold off all fertiliser until you see a flush of new top growth — feeding a rootless cutting only burns it. Match the parent's needs as the new rose of jericho (resurrection plant) settles: Bright, indirect light suits it best - an east- or west-facing window is ideal. Direct midday sun scorches the fine foliage, while too little light keeps it dull and slow to green up. Aim for roughly 12 hours of light a day.

Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) propagation — frequently asked questions

What is the best way to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?

Nodal stem cuttings in water or soil is the most reliable method for rose of jericho (resurrection plant). The best way to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant) is a stem cutting taken just below a node. A cutting must include at least one node — the leaves alone will not root. Place the node in water or moist soil in bright indirect light. Roots appear in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks.

Do you need a node to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?

Yes — absolutely. Roots only emerge from a node, so every rose of jericho (resurrection plant) cutting must include at least one. A length of stem or a leaf with no node will sit in water indefinitely and never root.

How long does it take rose of jericho (resurrection plant) to root?

Roots in 2–4 weeks; pot up at 4–6 weeks. Timing varies with warmth and light — propagations move fastest in spring and summer when the plant is in active growth, and can stall almost completely in a cold, dark winter.

What is the best time of year to propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?

Spring and summer (active growth). Root and shoot development is metabolically demanding, so propagating during the active growing season gives noticeably higher success rates and faster results than attempting it in dormancy.

Can you propagate rose of jericho (resurrection plant) in water?

Yes — rose of jericho (resurrection plant) roots readily in a glass of water as long as a node is submerged. Water propagation is the most beginner-friendly route; just move the cutting to soil before the water roots get long and brittle (around 3–5 cm).