In nature, philodendron plants grow like vines on trees, fallen logs, and other large objects. In a home, they need something to climb or they will gradually spread across the floor. They can grow from cuttings but it takes a long time. Propagation by cuttings is not difficult but it needs some care because this makes the plant more susceptible to disease. Here’s how to propagate philodendron in water.
How To Propagate Philodendron In Water?
Cut and Layered
You can also propagate philodendron by cutting a leaf and letting it lay on the soil surface. After a couple of weeks, roots will form and you can then transfer them to their own pot. This is the most common way to propagate philodendron, not just in water, but in soil too. You can also propagate cuttings in water, but you’ll need a lot more patience! Philodendron cuttings will root in water, but they do need very specific conditions to do so. If you have the time and space to dedicate to this method, then here’s what you need to do. – Choose a healthy cutting and make sure you snip just above a node. – Put the cutting in water with a rooting hormone. – Put the pot in a well-lit place with plenty of water and nutrients.
By Planting Seeds
You can propagate philodendron by planting its seeds and growing them in water. If you choose to do this, you’ll need to wait a long time before you get anything resembling a philodendron. Rooted cuttings produce philodendron quicker than seeds, so this is not the best choice if you’re impatient! But, if you’re happy to wait a couple of years, then this method might be for you. Growing philodendron from seed in water could be the best option if you have limited space. – Choose an area with lots of sunlight. – Collect some seeds from your existing philodendron plants. – Put some soil in a pot and sprinkle the seeds on top. – Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy. – Put the pot in the sun and keep the soil moist.
By Tissue Culture
If you want to propagate philodendron quickly, the best way is by tissue culture. This is where you take small pieces of plant tissue and grow them in a controlled environment. When the tissue has grown into full plants, you can separate them, pot them up and begin the process all over again. It’s a laborious and expensive process, but if you’re growing philodendron commercially, it’s the only way. This method also works for other climbing plants, like ivy and bougainvillea.
By Adventitious Roots
Philodendron can also be propagated by adventitious roots. This is where you encourage roots to sprout from the stem of a mature plant. You do this by tying a piece of bark around the stem of a philodendron. The bark acts as a barrier, stopping the stems from expanding. You’ll have to keep the bark there for a couple of months, but when you take it off, you’ll have lots of adventitious roots ready to report. You can also propagate philodendron by adventitious shoots. This is where a small shoot grows from the parent plant. You’ll have to keep the plant in the same pot until the shoot is long enough to be repotted.
By Leaf Cuttings
You can propagate philodendron by leaf cuttings too. You’ll need a lot of patience, especially if you’re growing philodendron in water. However, it’s a simple process that anyone can do at home. – Choose a healthy philodendron leaf with plenty of veins. – Remove the veins from the leaf. – Put the leaf in water and make sure it is completely submerged. – Leave the leaf in the water for three to six weeks. – Transfer the leaf to the soil when it has roots.
How To Propagate Philodendron From Cuttings?
Choose the Right Cuttings
When propagating philodendron, you want to select cuttings from the upper portion of the plant. Look for healthy, green stems that have a growing tip. Avoid taking cuttings from the lower, older portions of the plant as these are more likely to rot when you plant them. You can take cuttings from actively growing stems, but you can also take cuttings from stems that have recently been pruned back. The important thing is to select healthy items that are no less than 1/2 inch in diameter. You want the stems to be thick enough to support new growth. You can take cuttings from a single stem or several stems. If you take several cuttings from a single stem, they will be easier to care for once they begin to grow. If you take several cuttings, you can also choose different growth patterns so that you have a more diverse plant once they are fully grown.
Prepare for Planting
Philodendron cuttings must be planted in a high-humidity environment to promote root development. If you have a standard potting mix in your planter boxes, it may not have enough moisture and air in it to meet the needs of your philodendron cuttings. A potting mix with a high sand or perlite content will have the correct level of humidity for your cuttings. For best results, select a potting mix that has a texture similar to the texture of the soil in your existing planter boxes. If you use a potting mix with a texture that is different from your existing soil, it can be difficult to water your plants properly. You can also create your own potting mix to meet the needs of your philodendron cuttings. To do this, mix two parts of potting soil with one part of sand or perlite.
Plant Your Cuttings
Once you have your cutting prepared and your potting mix ready, you are ready to plant your philodendron cuttings. – If using standard potting soil, water your potting mix before planting your cuttings to help increase the level of moisture in the soil. – Place your cuttings in water for five to 10 minutes before planting to help draw water to the stems and encourage root growth. – Gently remove your cuttings from the water and place them in the potting mix. – Water your planted cuttings well and place them in a warm, humid location that receives bright light. – Avoid disturbing your new plants for the first two to three weeks after planting. – After about two weeks, you can begin feeding your plants with a very dilute fertilizer solution.
Care for Your New Plants
Once your philodendron cuttings have rooted, they are ready to be transplanted into their own pots. Once they are in their own pots, you can increase the frequency of watering slightly and begin feeding them with a standard fertilizer solution. Once your new philodendron plants are established, you can either keep them in the same planter boxes you started them in, or you can report them to larger planters. If you decide to report your philodendron, avoid repotting them too soon. Give them at least two to three months to settle into their new homes before repotting them again. If you prefer not to report your philodendron, you can also root prune them to encourage new growth. Root pruning should be done every one to two years, and you should remove about one-third of the plant’s roots when you root prune it.
How To Grow Philodendron From Seed?
- Choose fresh seeds. Seeds collected from a plant growing outdoors may have insect eggs.
- Soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours before sowing. This makes the seeds swell and improves germination.
- Sprinkle the seeds in a clean container filled with moist sand or vermiculite. Press the seeds gently to make some space and keep the seeds moist.
- Cover the container with a clear plastic sheet or a paper towel to maintain high humidity. Use a Seedling Heat Mat or a grow light to provide warmth and promote germination.
- Keep the seeds in a warm and humid environment for about a month.
- After the seeds germinate, provide plenty of light and warmth and grow the plants in a pot with potting soil. – Philodendron seeds usually germinate in 2 to 6 weeks depending on the species.
Tips For Propagating Philodendron In Water
Make sure that the water is clean, fresh, and has no chemicals.
- Make sure the container is clean. Wash it thoroughly with soap and water.
- Choose the right location for growing philodendron in water.
- Make sure that the container has holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Make sure that the water does not stagnate in the container. Change the water to prevent water-borne diseases.
- Make sure that the container is large enough to accommodate the plant as it grows.
- Make sure that the container has some growing media like perlite, vermiculite, or coconut husk. This will provide some nutrients to the plant and ease the transplantation.
- Use half-strength fertilizer during propagation.
- Use a pH tester to check the pH of the water. – Use clean potting soil after the plants start growing.
- Use a clean pair of scissors or shears to propagate philodendron.
- Avoid propagation when the plant is in active growth.
Final Words
You can propagate philodendron in many ways. Water propagation is the easiest and most convenient way. You can grow new philodendron plants whenever required. If you are looking to expand your plant collection, you can use any of these methods to grow philodendron plants. And if you want to grow philodendron plants indoors, you can use any of these methods.