How to Make a Propagation Box for Your Plants

Plant propagation boxes are potentially one of the coolest things in a plant hobbyist’s collection. These are not only a fun and flexible way to grow many different kinds of plants from seeds, stem cuttings, or “leaf props,” but they also need much less care than most potted plants. Due to the fact that the plant propbox is mostly closed, you only need to water it about once a month. It’s so simple that I just throw in any plant cuttings, corms, or seeds I have and wait to see what grows. Right now I have crazy mosses, nepenthes seedlings, and other cool plants growing. It’s great! I highly recommend one for yourself if you can afford the space. It may even be easier to grow “hard-to-grow” plants like ferns, blue begonias, or sphagnum moss because the controlled environment makes the conditions stable and ideal. All kinds of plants can grow and thrive, even when they are very small, as long as they have these conditions and “the perfect light.” But you should be prepared for a few losses too—not everything that goes in, comes out alive. When planned appropriately, plant propboxes can make an attractive display featuring a huge range of plants. By adding more and more to your boxes over time, you create a tiny ecosystem that is very interesting, like a saltwater reef aquarium where many species live together peacefully. That’s all there is to know about setting up your first prop box. We’ll also show you how to make your own propagation haven step by step.

Setting up your prop box

• Picking a container: First, choose a container that will work for your propagation box. Choose what works best for you in terms of money, space, and plants you like. Used Containers: These don’t cost anything and can be anything that works, like fruit baskets, takeout containers, plastic cups, and more. Not only are smaller options like this very easy to move, but they also keep algae, bacteria, or fungus outbreaks from spreading. The only issue…the can look a bit junky. Plant Propagation in Plastic Cups: Alocasia azlanii corms Larger DIY Plant Propbox: A plastic storage container or an old aquarium can be used to make a larger “do it yourself” box. People often choose Tupperware and Rubbermaid containers, but they can look a little cheap and might not fit everyone’s style. Make sure the container has a lid or cover to keep the humidity level stable, and if you need to, add vents for airflow. If there aren’t any holes, you can leave the lid open a bit. How to Grow Plants in Tupperware or Rubbermaid Containers Prefabricated Plant Propbox: These boxes have really come a long way in the last few years. Most of them used to be weak and look cheap, but some of the newer ones are pretty nice—better than a Rubbermaid bin or Tupperware container. Getting plants to grow in a custom-made pot—these are made by Garland Propagation Box Sizes: Choose your prop box base and put the plants you want to grow in it. It goes without saying that the bigger it is, the less space you’ll have for living. I have used boxes as small as a brick, but the ones that work best are a bit bigger, about 18 inches by 24 inches and at least 12 inches high.
• Figure Out How to Plant: You should give some thought to how you’re going to plant your propbox at the start. A lot of people just put in their favorite potting soil and plants. It works, it’s easy, and it gets you started quickly, but it can cause root problems if you overwater the plants or tangle their roots as they grow. On the other hand, you can set up a system that lets you group plants in pots inside the container or separate some groups. I like to use eggcrates to lift the plants off the ground. This lets me water them better and drain off extra water if I need to. However, each method has its pros and cons. The quick and easy way is to just put soil in the bottom. But there are some problems with it. You need to be careful not to overwater, and algae may start to grow on the sides of the container. Plants in pots that are propped up in the bin. Put down a layer of rocks to help water drain away and then soil. This keeps the top layer a little drier. Raise the plants off the ground: you can prop pots above the prop box’s floor with an egg crate or another type of solid mesh. This lets you switch out and clean the tray every so often, and you can put both pots and wide/flat trays inside. Example of elevated pots within a propbox .
• Choose your plants. I like to put tropical plants in my boxes. It makes them look fuller, and I often keep a backup plant in my propbox in case one of my favorite plants dies. When talking about plants that are dying, be careful: not all of them will make it through the prop boxes, but most of them will if you keep an eye out for rot and too much or too little (light, fertilizer, water, etc.). Losses do happen, so it’s a good idea to make a few copies of each plant if you’re really hoping they do. Whatever choice works best for you should be used if your goal is to grow plants for money or to only grow certain kinds of plants. In general, plants from low- to medium-light jungles that don’t vine are the best ones for prop boxes. Vining plants can still be put in a prop box to help them grow, but you should probably take them out once they start to grow because they may quickly crowd out other plants. Photo of Begonia pavonina leaf propagations in a takeout container .
• Putting them all together: It’s pretty easy to start once you’ve chosen your box, chosen how you want to plant, and got the plants you want to use. They are just put in the box and lit up.

Light plays the most-crucial role in plant growth and health. For your propagation box, consider using LED grow lights instead of relying on direct sunlight. LED lights provide consistent and adjustable intensity, without the risk of cooking or burning to your plants. Too much light can also be a problem, so this is probably the hardest part of setting up a propbox at first. That’s what can happen with LED lights that are too bright: plants can turn yellow or stop growing. That “Goldilocks zone” where nothing is too much, nothing is too little, but just right…. For first-time prop boxers, not enough light is usually the issue because we don’t realize how much natural light we have in our homes. I recommend that you aim for 8 to 18 watts of light per foot of coverage. To put it another way, you need about a 12 watt LED grow light for a 1 foot prop box. The light loses its strength quickly as well; the farther away it is from the box, the weaker it is at an exponential rate. Keep the light about 3 to 6 inches above the top of the container, and move it farther away if the plants show signs of light stress. You can also cut down on the time the lights are on, since many tropical plants may only need 4 to 10 hours of full power. If plants look leggy, add more light.

Maintaining a moderately high humidity level in your propagation box is fairly easy. When the water that evaporates has no where to go, it spikes the humidity. This is essential for reducing water stress on young plants and making their care more manageable. You can use a spray bottle and mist the sides of the container and potting media. It’s best to have a humidity level between 20 and 80%, since too much humidity (over 90%) can cause problems with mold or bacteria. If any of your plants get rot or fungus, cut off the infected parts and lower the humidity a bit. Making sure there is enough airflow and ventilation can help keep mold and disease away, but like with light, you need to find the “Goldilocks zone.” Also, keep in mind that plants that don’t get enough light are more likely to get mold, rot, and bacterial problems.

For best results, use distilled water and add a bit of tap water (about 10% or less). In a prop box, you almost never flush water out. This means that any water you add stays behind and doesn’t evaporate. Over time, the minerals or salts in your tap water will slowly build up in the prop box. This can cause the pH to rise, nutrients to be less available, mineral deposits, and a reduction in the plants that can thrive (some types of moss and plants can’t handle hard water). Pure distilled water can help your enclosure look nice and let you grow more types of plants, but because it doesn’t contain any minerals, it can sometimes leave your plants lacking nutrients. That’s why I like to add a little tap water.

Pick out the right potting mix for your propagation box. You can use any kind you like, but keep in mind that it might change the plants you can grow. Some people like using only perlite, while others use a “jungle mix” (equal parts perlite, bark and peatmoss). If you only have peatmoss or “all purpose potting media,” that might hold too much water and turn your prop box into a bog. But if that’s all you have, it’s better than nothing. Sphagnum moss can work well too—but beware of it’s short degradation timeline.

I suggest using a rocky or inert medium that soaks up water without getting too wet, and then adding a layer of sphagnum moss or that jungle mix I just talked about on top. This will help promote healthy root growth, keep the upper layer airy, and prevent root rot.

Several issues might arise, but these issues are more likely to not happen if everything is set up correctly from the start. However, here are a list of challenges you may encounter and how you can remediate them:

• Leggy growth: increase light.
• Yellowing and stunted leaves: reduce light or fertilize more often.
• Root Rot: improve the airflow in the soil and think about changing how things are set up so roots don’t sit in water that doesn’t move.
• Leaf Rot or Damp off: increase airflow.
• Pests: Adding small plants that eat bugs, like pinguiculas and sundews, can help a lot if you have problems with fungus gnats, white flies, or thrips. They control pest insect outbreaks by gobbling them up. These plants will not only make your display more interesting to look at, but they will also help keep your other plants healthy. Pinguiculas (AKA “Butterworts”) are also SUPER easy to propagate. If you get a plant, take off a few leaves and put them in your prop box. One leaf can make a new plant. You can sell them later if they get too bountiful.

How to Create a Plant Propagation Box

Firstly, there are many ways to approach this. You can spend as much or as little as you want. I’ve used takeout containers and plastic cups as prop boxes and bought pre-made boxes that fit around the edges of a terrarium. You can also just get a terrarium. It all depends on what you want to invest. At the most basic level, you need a box that you can put plants in. The box needs to be clear enough to let light in, big enough to fit the plants you want to grow, and have a way to change the airflow. Aside from the box itself, the most important “ingredient” for success is light. You need to find the “Goldilocks Zone” where the light is just right to grow lush plants but not too bright that it causes problems (more on that later).

How to Start a Propagation Box | Easy & Effective Propagation Method

FAQ

What material is used for propagation boxes?

Can you make a propagation box with soil?

What is a propagation box?

A propagation box, propagation chamber or propagator, is something you can use for rooting plant cuttings. It works like a mini greenhouse that will protect the cuttings, and give them enough warmth, humidity, and moisture so they can survive until they form roots.

How do I set up a propagation box?

Here are a few propagation tips before you set up your box Add Superthrive and/or a rooting hormone to your water before watering your medium. Open your box for a few minutes at least every couple of days to help with airflow and prevent rotting. (Too much humidity is not always a good thing) Place your box in a bright, warm place.

Do plant propagation boxes work?

These boxes work great for anyone who is interested in propagating plants at home. Simple plant propagation boxes are a good way to maintain moisture and get those cuttings out of the house. Sometimes a simple item and be extremely beneficial! Turn a plastic box into a plant propagation system to root your cuttings.

How do I add bottom heat to my plant propagation box?

To add bottom heat to your plant propagation box find a heating mat to put underneath the box. Here are some options for heat mats (aff.). Bottom heat is very helpful with hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cutting like bottom heat and cooler tops. Additional lighting is not necessary but you could easily rig up LED lights to the top of the plastic lid.

How do you propagate a plant with a plastic box?

Choose a location with shade like a porch or under some trees. The plastic box maintains a good level of humidity without drowning the cuttings but remember the goal is to reduce water loss in the leaves. Until your cuttings have roots it is critical that water loss is reduced. That’s why some plant propagators like to use misting systems.

How to propagate new plants?

Let’s propagate some new plants! A propagation box is a great way to propagate your houseplants. It act as a mini greenhouse; the controlled environment protects your plants and provides enough humidity to get them rooting. Another benefit is you can propagate many plants at once.