Propagate your plants: The Water Method

Plants are a great way to add a touch of nature to your home and also to create an indoor garden. Propagating your plants can also be a fun and cost-effective way to increase your collection and share it with friends and family. There are various methods of propagating plants, but one of the simplest and most popular methods is using water. This method is particularly effective for common houseplants like Epipremnum Aureum (Devil's Ivy), Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant), and Philodendron Cordatum (Heart Leaf Plant).

What is Propagation?

Propagation is the process of producing new plants from existing ones. There are several ways to propagate plants including division, cutting, layering, and rooting in water or another potting medium. Propagation not only helps you increase your plant collection but also provides a way to rejuvenate overgrown plants or to preserve a special plant that you may have inherited from a loved one.

How to Propagate common vining house plants using the water method.

Pothos, Monstera adansonii, and Philodendron Cordatum are all vines that grow well in water and can be propagated using the water method. 

Here is how to propagate these plants using water:

1. With a clean pair of secateurs or garden scissors, cut a stem that is around 4 to 6 inches long, with at least one or two nodes (the place where leaves grow from the stem).

2. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving only a few at the top of the stem.

3. Choose your vessel. We have a beautiful range of Propagation Vessels you may love.

4. Fill your watering can and add a squirt of Munash Organics Seaweed Tonic. We love our 700ml Indoor Watering cans for our propagation projects.

5. Fill your vessel with the diluted the Seaweed tonic from your watering can.

6. Now place the stem of your plant cutting in the vessel with the Seaweed Tonic solution and make sure that the nodes are fully submerged. 

7. Place your vessel in a bright, but not direct, light. Change the Seaweed Tonic solution every 3-5 days to keep it fresh and to prevent bacteria from growing.

8. After 2-4 weeks, you should see roots growing from the nodes. Once the roots are a couple of inches long, you may choose to transplant the cuttings into a potting medium. Alternatively, you can leave the plant to grow in the water indefinitely. Just refresh the water every 1-2 weeks using a liquid plant food like our favourite Stimulizer.

9. If you decide to transplant your cutting to potting medium, simply fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix and pop the cutting into the mix, making sure the roots are covered and the top of the stem is above the potting mix level.

10. Keep the potting medium moist but not soaking wet, and place the pot in bright, indirect light.

11. In a few weeks, your plant will start growing new leaves and will be ready to be potted into a larger pot or planted in your garden.

Our Top Tips for Propagating Plants using the Water Method

Here are some extra tips to help you successfully propagate your plants using the water method:

1. Choose healthy and vigorous stems to propagate.
2. Make sure to use a clean vessel and fresh water.
3. Avoid placing the jar in direct sunlight as this can cause the water to become too warm, leading to bacteria growth.
4. Change the water frequently to keep it fresh, especially for the first couple of weeks.
5. Be patient, as rooting can take several weeks, depending on the type of plant and the conditions.
6. Once the roots have formed, be careful when transplanting the cuttings into potting medium to avoid damaging the delicate roots.