Today, I wanna talk about how I propagated my split-leaf philodendron. It’s actually easier than you might think, and it’s a great way to get more of these beauties without spending a dime.
So, there are a couple of ways to do this, but I’m gonna focus on the stem cutting method, ’cause that’s what I did. First, you gotta find a good stem to cut. Look for one that’s healthy and has at least a couple of leaves and some aerial roots, you know, those little nubs that grow out of the stem. I took my time to find a good one, it’s better to be patient.
Once you’ve got your stem, you need to make a clean cut. I used a sharp knife that I cleaned with alcohol, just to be safe. Cut right below a node, which is where a leaf or an aerial root is growing. Don’t be afraid, just do it!
Now, some folks like to let the cutting dry out for a day or two before doing anything else, but I just dipped the cut end into some rooting hormone. It’s not totally necessary, but I figured it couldn’t hurt. So, I just dipped the cutting into water then put it into the rooting hormone bottle.
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Choosing the Container:
I picked a medium-sized pot that has drainage holes. It’s important ’cause you don’t want the roots to sit in water.
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Potting Mix:
For the soil, I used a mix that’s specifically for aroids. It’s well-draining and has lots of organic matter, which these plants love.
Then, it was time to plant. I filled the pot with the aroid mix, made a little hole in the center, and gently placed the cutting in. I made sure the node was covered with soil, then I firmed the soil around the stem to make sure it was secure.
After planting, I gave it a good watering. You want the soil to be moist, but not soggy. Over the next few weeks, I kept an eye on it, making sure the soil didn’t dry out completely. I also kept it in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight, ’cause that can burn the leaves. It’s a bit like taking care of a baby, you gotta keep an eye on them.
It took a while, but after a few weeks, I started to see new growth. That’s when I knew it had rooted. It’s a pretty awesome feeling, seeing your little cutting grow into a whole new plant.
Once it was established, I started treating it like my other split-leaf philodendrons, watering when the top inch of soil was dry and giving it some fertilizer every now and then.
And that’s it! It’s a pretty straightforward process, and it’s so rewarding to see your plant babies thrive. If you’ve been thinking about propagating your split-leaf philodendron, I say go for it! It’s a fun project, and you’ll end up with more of these gorgeous plants to enjoy.
There’s also another way called air layering, but I haven’t tried that yet. Maybe I’ll give it a go next time and let you know how it turns out. But for now, the stem cutting method has worked wonders for me, and I’m sure it will for you too.
