How To Propagate Philodendron

Many types of philodendron are known as ‘leggy’ plants. This is because they can become unruly and long, and begin to ‘take over’ a space in your house. 

This often makes them the perfect plant to propagate, because you can use cuttings to create new philodendron plants.

Propagating a philodendron plant is really easy too. This means that if your friend or a family member has a wonderful philodendron plant, you can take a cutting and grow your own too. 

They can also make great housewarming gifts – and on the plus side, it is totally free!

If you are looking for how to propagate a philodendron, then you have come to the right place. Here we show you simple techniques for doing just that.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s take a look at propagating a philodendron plant. 

What Is The Best Way To Take A philodendron Plant Cutting?

Before you can even propagate a philodendron plant, you will need to know how to take a cutting. Fortunately, it is really easy to do so, and allows you to grow new plants from a healthy mother plant.

Firstly, pick up a vine and search for a node. You will often find it near a leaf. Using either clippers, scissors or a sharp knife, cut it at a 45 degree angle – just make sure they are clean.

You might find the cutting is really long. The ideal length is around 5 inches per vine, so you can cut the long vine into smaller pieces if need be. However, it is always best to cut just above a node, so keep that in mind.

This is because the node is where the new leaves and roots can grow from. If there is no node, then the vine may not propagate.

Make sure each one has leaves too. Even so, you will want to remove the bottom leaves that may be put into either soil or water. 

How To Propagate A Philodendron Plant In Water?

A really easy way to propagate a philodendron plant is to put it into water. Doing it this way means you can see if there are any new roots and leaves forming.

All you need is a glass or jar, water and your vine cuttings. Here are some tips to ensure you propagate using water correctly:

• Firstly, fill up a glass or a jar with clean water. It doesn’t need to be filtered water, but some people prefer this. However, it will not change the way the plant grows.
• Make sure any leaves are moved which will be submerged into the water. For this reason, the glass or jar does not need to be completely full with water. Just enough to help propagate the plant. 
• Put the vines into the water. You need to make sure the nodes are under the water because this is the area that will be sprouting new life. And again, keep the leaves out of the water!
• Place the glass or jar in bright light, but not directly in sunlight. The sun’s heat can affect the temperature of the water and make it too hot. 
• Over time you will see the plant begin to grow from the nodes. This may take a few weeks, so keep checking on it. Just remember to change the water every couple or so days to keep it fresh. 
• As soon as you see the roots around an inch or so long, you can remove the plant from the water and place it in a potting mix. Or, you can leave the plant to stay in water for a while. 

How To Propagate A Philodendron In Soil?

If you would much rather place your philodendron plant straight into soil, then there is that option too. This means that you do not have to go through the water phase first, and then have to put it into the soil.

Even so, this method means you do not enjoy seeing the roots begin to grow, because you can not see this happening within soil. It also means you have no idea in the first few weeks whether it is successful or not.

Even so, putting the vine stem directly into soil is a good way to go. Here is how to do it:

• Pick a planter that has plenty of drainage and fill it with an airy and light soil perfect for a philodendron plant. 
• This step is optional, but dipping the ends of the stems in a root hormone can speed up the process. 
• Place a stem into the soil making sure to cover a node. Lightly water the soil, but at this point you will not want to overwater it. This is because there are no roots just yet.
• Place a clear plastic bag over the planter to ensure there is both humidity and warmth to help it propagate. Even better, plant the vine stems into something made for propagation. 
• Place it in a bright area with no indirect sunlight. Water the plant very lightly, but do not overdo it so much that the soil is too moist.
• You should start to see foliage beginning to appear after a few weeks. At first it may seem a little sad, but over time it will grow into a beautiful plant. Once foliage does start to sprout, you can remove the plastic bag. 

Final Thoughts

It is never a surprise when somebody wants to propagate a beautiful philodendron plant. They look wonderful within the home, and often act as crawlers making their way over bookshelves and cabinets.

Due to this, they are perfect for propagating. You can give these new plants to friends or family, or even have new plants scattered around the house. 

Fortunately, it is really easy to propagate philodendron plants. All you need is a few simple tricks and either water or soil, and you can have new philodendron plants within a few weeks time.

Good luck in your plant journey!