There's a common misconception that propagating houseplants is hard or requires specific skills, but it's honestly easy—speaking as someone who once killed a cactus. Once you get the hang of the process, it’s a fun and rewarding way to save money at the plant shop. I also love gifting plant babies to friends and family during the holidays.
I'm currently growing three philodendron in my apartment, all at different stages. The cuttings can take a few months to start rooting and months (or years) for the potted plants to fully thrive, but they require minimal care. I’ve found propagating succulents is a lot faster—I’ve grown dozens of baby plants, all from leaves that naturally fell off the parent plant.
I first got into propagating plants, because of my grandma and her gorgeous heartleaf philodendron that’s outlived her for more than 20 years. Her resilient and low-maintenance houseplant taught me the joy of propagating plants—it's surprisingly simple.
The original plant, with palm-sized leaves and trailing stems that reach the floor, is happy and thriving at my parents house. Over the years, my dad has propagated cuttings for family members—my brother, sister, aunt, and I have been gifted trailing houseplants grown from my grandma's. Since my biggest plant continues to grow, I've started giving cuttings and propagated plants to my friends, and telling them about the long history of this particular philodendron.
I wouldn't refer to myself as a "green thumb," and I was initially terrified of letting this philodendron die. To my surprise, it's completely taken over my bar cart and I have two new plant babies to care for. I've learned that most potted plants can be propagated in water and eventually transferred into soil. I've personally had the best luck with trailing plants, including pothos, philodendron, and ivy, and succulents, specifically sedum varieties.
How to propagate houseplants:
I'm breaking down the step-by-step process that's worked for me—beginners are welcome!
A fresh cutting is beginning to grow in water.
The plant is starting to trail after about six months in dirt.
- Use pruning shears to trim a cutting from the mother plant, cutting below the node (which looks like a bump on the stem where leaves and branches grow). I've had success cutting 4 to 6-inch stems with two or three leaves.
- Put the cutting into a glass jar with water, ensuring the node is covered. Remove or reposition any lower leaves, so that none sit in the water.
- Place the jar in a bright location without too much direct sunlight. Keep in mind: Sunlight needs will vary depending on the specific plant.
- Change the water weekly, or sooner if you notice the water becomes cloudy. Rinse the roots and the jar (I usually give it a quick scrub with my finger) before replacing with clean water.
- Allow the roots to grow, which usually takes a few weeks—or longer. Be patient!
- Transfer the plant into soil when the roots are at least 1 to 2 inches long. Fan out the roots in a well-draining soil.
How to propagate succulents:
My sedum succulents are thriving in bright light. Every time a leaf falls off my succulent (it happens naturally as they grow taller and larger), I do my best to turn that leaf into a brand-new houseplant. Here’s what I do:
- Gently twist a healthy leaf off the stem, so it comes off whole—or wait for a leaf to naturally fall of your succulent.
- While some experts suggest letting the leaf dry out for a few days before placing it in soil, I usually lay the fallen leaves on the top of dry soil right away. Make sure the tip of the leaf is touching the soil, but isn’t buried.
- Place your pot in bright light—mine thrive in the windowsill.
- Mist the soil, only once it’s completely dry. Continue to water it weekly, eventually you should spot roots begin to sprout. I find that not ever single leaf grows roots, but majority of mine do. I’d suggest starting with four to five leaves if you want a better shot at success.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
