Dive into the art of propagating plants from cuttings. It opens up a world of possibilities for gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike. Rooting cuttings is a fun and environmentally friendly way to grow more plants or make thoughtful gifts from your favorite plants. We will look at the steps and important tips you need to follow to successfully root plant cuttings and see them grow into new plants.
I worked at a golf course with a 30 foot Monstera deliciosa when I was in my early 20s. You read that right…30 FEET! That’s where my love of plants began. It’s actually my favorite plant of all time (if you didn’t already know). Anyway, some of the leaves were 2 feet wide and absolutely beautiful!.
One day I saw this tiny leaf pop out of soil. It was so cute and tiny! When it got a little bigger, I asked my boss if I could pick it out and take it home, and he said I could. I wrapped it in a damp cloth and off I went.
I brought it home and put it in a glass of water. It sprouted roots, which made me so happy! I fell in love with this amazing way of making more plants. So let’s talk about How to Root Plant Cuttings in Water.
Most common house plants can be propagated by water method. Right now my new subject is a tiny little stem from my big Fiddle Leaf Fig. So far no roots but there is a tiny green leaf!! If you’re not sure, just try it!.
Propagating houseplants from cuttings is an easy affordable way to expand your plant collection. And rooting cuttings in water has a higher success rate compared to other propagation methods.
The advantage of water propagation is you can easily track the rooting process. But some cuttings take forever to develop roots
From my experience pothos and philodendrons may show roots within 2 weeks. But others like monstera can take 2-3 months before you see tiny roots.
If you are propagating plants for the first time, waiting weeks or months before roots appear can be frustrating. The good news is there are several tricks you can use to speed up water propagation.
In this article, I’ll share with you 7 proven ways to make cuttings root faster in water. Follow these tips to maximize your propagation success rate.
1. Use the Right Cuttings
Not all cuttings are created equal when it comes to how fast they can root.
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Softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings from the tips of vigorously growing stems root quickest. Old, brittle hardwood cuttings take longer.
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Take cuttings early in the morning. The plant has the highest concentration of auxin hormone that promotes rooting.
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Look for shoots that are healthy, pest and disease free. Unhealthy cuttings are less likely to root.
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Remove flowers and flower buds which use up energy required for root growth.
Selecting the right cuttings from your plant will help accelerate the rooting process.
2. Cut Below the Node
The node is where new roots will emerge when propagating plants in water. Cutting below the node kickstarts cell division for root tissue development.
Using a sharp, sterile knife or pruners, make a 45-degree angle cut 0.5 inch below the node.
Ensure you don’t crush the stems as it can inhibit water and nutrient flow.
3. Use a Rooting Hormone Powder or Gel
Applying a rooting hormone like indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) encourages quicker rooting.
The synthetic hormone activates cell division and differentiation to initiate root tissue and root hair growth faster.
Commercial rooting hormone products are available as powder, gel or liquid formulations. The powder is easiest to apply on cuttings.
4. Maintain Proper Water Temperature
The water temperature for propagating should be between 70°F – 75°F (21°C – 24°C). This is the ideal temperature range for quicker root development.
Water cooler than 65°F (18°C) slows or prevents rooting.
Use a thermometer and small aquarium heater with thermostat to maintain the proper temperature if needed.
5. Provide Bright, Indirect Light
For faster rooting, place your propagation jar near a bright window where it receives at least 4 hours of indirect sunlight daily.
You can supplement natural light with fluorescent grow lights positioned 6 to 8 inches above the cuttings.
Avoid direct hot sunlight which causes leaves to dry out, wilt, and fall off.
6. Use an Air Pump for Oxygenation
Lack of oxygen in the water causes cuttings to rot before roots form. Add an air stone or small aquarium pump to oxygenate the water.
The constant water circulation improves oxygen absorption through the cut end of the stem.
Well-oxygenated water also allows beneficial bacteria to thrive for a healthy root zone.
7. Apply Liquid Fertilizer in the Water
The nutrients and minerals in plain water are often insufficient for optimum root growth.
Add water-soluble houseplant fertilizer like Miracle-Gro to the changing water weekly at quarter or half strength.
The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer provide vital nutrients to accelerate root development.
Bonus Tips for Faster Rooting
Here are some extra tips to speed up propagation of cuttings in water:
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Change water every 4-5 days to prevent rotting.
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Use aquarium or rain water which contain more minerals than tap water.
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Keep humidity around cuttings above 50% to reduce transpiration.
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Avoid overcrowding cuttings in one container.
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Keep propagation setup away from direct air flow.
Follow these tips to make cuttings root faster in water. Within 2-3 weeks, you’ll have successfully propagated plants ready for potting!
how to root plant cuttings
STEPS to making a plant cutting
- Pick out the spot where you want to cut the cutting from the main plant. Root nodes are not on every cutting that will grow roots in water, but most of them are. Find the root node on your plant.
- Use a clean, sharp knife or scissors to carefully cut just below the node. About 1/4″ below the node.
- Place the cutting in a clean glass. Not warm enough water at room temperature to cover the cutting nodes
- Every three to five days, add new water at room temperature and replace the old water.
- Watch as the roots grow. Depending on the plant, this could take weeks or months.
- You can put the cutting in soil when the roots reach about 3 to 5 inches.
Best Way To Propagate Stem Cuttings In Water
FAQ
What can I put in water to make my roots grow faster?
How do you encourage cuttings to root in water?
How long do cuttings take to root in water?
How to stimulate root growth in cuttings?
How to root plant cuttings in water?
So let’s talk about How to Root Plant Cuttings in Water. Most common house plants can be propagated by water method. Right now my new subject is a tiny little stem from my big Fiddle Leaf Fig. So far no roots but there is a tiny green leaf!! If you’re not sure, just try it! Identify the location where you will snip your cutting from the main plant.
How do I Make my cuttings grow faster?
The following steps can help your cutting to root faster in water: Change the water any time it looks foggy. Use rain water if possible. Leave only 1 leaf on the end of the cutting so energy can be focused on root growth. Make sure your water is room temperature and not hot or cold. Here are some common issues with cuttings and how to fix them.
Which medium will help my plant cuttings root faster?
I’m sure you are wondering which medium will help your plant cuttings root faster. Generally, water roots grow faster compared to soil roots as they need less energy to develop. Within 2 weeks, water roots begin to develop, while soil roots take about 3 to 4 weeks to start growing.
Do water roots grow faster than soil roots?
Generally, water roots grow faster compared to soil roots as they need less energy to develop. Within 2 weeks, water roots begin to develop, while soil roots take about 3 to 4 weeks to start growing. But, this is not always the case. Plants with a hard cutting sometimes take longer to root than soft cuttings, whether in soil or water.
Why are some cuttings not rooting?
Lack of moisture causes propagated plants to lose a lot of water within minutes, become dry, and develop brown leaf tips and edges. Despite the high success of water propagation, some cuttings won’t root no matter how long you leave them in the water. Cuttings won’t root for various reasons.
How do you propagate plant cuttings?
Propagating plant cuttings in water is common practice, as most plant cuttings root faster in water than in soil. To do this, take cuttings from an established plant or herb and place the cuttings in the water and watch it sprout roots in a few weeks. This is an easy and inexpensive way of expanding your garden and collection of house plants.