How to Get More Plants for Free

It's no surprise that my love for plants has been growing which means that my wallet was thinning. My husband & I had the talk the other day...& well the plant ban starts today. This means that I cannot purchase any new plant(s) to bring into our home. I can, however, propagate and trade cuttings with friends & family. I have already done this with a few of you & I'm grateful for my new plant babies. I'm currently waiting for other cuttings to root so we can make more trades. In all honesty, I think this process is more exciting & rewarding because we are responsible for creating new life.

I had to share this plant meme. Who else can relate?

If you have a plant in your home you may have realized the joy it brings. When it grows, you know that you had something to do with it. It's just a good feeling. As you continue to nourish & care for your houseplant it will, at some point, need a "hair cut". This is especially true for vining plants such as the pothos. If you love the vining look you may leave it be until it reaches the floor. If you prefer a bushy plant, you may be more inclined to trim back sooner. With Pothos, you can use your cuttings to make a new plant or you can add them to the mama plant for a fuller look. They are one of the easiest plants to propagate.

BEFORE: The plant container wasn't full & there was a long vine growing on the one side. I decided to trim the vine & create a new plant.

Propagation: creating new "baby" plants from existing, mature "mama" plants.

Tips:

1. Choose healthy leaves that include a stem & a node. Please note that you need all three of these in order to be successful. The node is where the leaf meets the main stem. There may already be an aerial root present.

Please note that this is after a week or two in water. The nodes (brown) began to sprout roots (cream).

2. Place in tepid water. Room temperature water is always best for plants to avoid shock.

Change the water every three days (or at the very least, once a week). Just like us, the plant needs oxygen which is found in tap water. Make sure the nodes are always emersed in water.

3. Keep in a warm spot with adequate light (above the dishwasher works great).

4. Wait until the roots are at least one inch before moving to the soil. You also have the option to allow your pothos to grow in water full time. They will thrive in water. A lot of people may even choose to pair it with a fish. Please keep in mind that there is a point of no return. Once the plant is used to living in water the transition to the soil is much more difficult and you may lose your plant.

I gifted these cuttings to my friend and she has chosen to keep her pothos in water & I am in love. I'm looking for a vase to keep my next cuttings in.

5. Once transferred to soil, keep it moist for a week or two to allow the roots to acclimate. Make sure the pot you choose has a hole at the bottom. This allows excess water to drain and reduces the risk of root rot. I keep the pot in a small clear bowl and fill it with water. This is called bottom watering. It's worked great and I'm sure those roots are spreading wonderfully.

AFTER: New pothos plant.

These are some basic tips that can be utilized with most plants. Some of my current propagations include:

1. Peperomia Obtusfolia Variegata

2. Schefflera Arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Plant)

3. Pachira Aquatica (Money Tree)

4. Dracaena Sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo)

5. Pothos Njoy

6. Scindapsis Pictus Argyraeus

7. Yucca

8. Tradescantia Zebrina (wandering dude)

9. Jade

10. a few other succulents I am unsure of the name.

I would love to hear what you are currently propagating. Please feel free to share on here or my Instagram @always_willow

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss another post. Take care & I'll be back next Tuesday.

Always,

Erikka

I am not an expert so please feel free to share any advice or tips you may have. Or if I shared incorrect information, please correct me.