How to Pot a Plant Clipping

Propagating plants from cuttings is a great way to get more plants for free. But once you have your plant clippings, you need to know how to pot them properly to ensure they grow into healthy, strong plants. Here's how to pot a plant clipping:

Step 1: Choose the Right Pot

The first step in potting a plant clipping is to choose the right pot. You want a pot that is slightly larger than the cutting but not too big. A pot that is too big will allow the soil to stay wet for too long, which can lead to root rot. A pot that is too small will not provide enough room for the roots to grow.

Choose a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to drain away from the roots. Clay pots are a good choice because they are porous and allow air to circulate around the roots, but any pot with drainage holes will work.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

The next step is to prepare the soil. Choose a high-quality potting mix with good drainage. You can make your own potting mix by combining equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.

Fill the pot with enough soil to reach the bottom of the drainage holes. Use your finger or a pencil to make a hole in the center of the soil for the cutting.

Step 3: Trim the Cutting

Before potting the cutting, you need to trim it. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off any leaves that will be sitting in the soil. You want to leave only a few leaves at the top of the cutting.

Make a clean, diagonal cut at the bottom of the cutting, just below a leaf node. A leaf node is where a leaf joins the stem. This is where the roots will grow from.

Step 4: Pot the Cutting

Now it's time to pot the cutting. Dip the cut end of the cutting into rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Shake off any excess powder.

Place the cutting into the hole you made in the soil. Gently press the soil around the cutting to hold it in place. Make sure the cutting is upright and the soil is in contact with the stem.

Step 5: Water the Cutting

The final step is to water the cutting. Use a watering can with a fine spray nozzle or mist the cutting with a spray bottle. Be sure not to overwater – the soil should be moist but not soggy.

Place the pot in a bright, warm spot but out of direct sunlight. After a few weeks, check the cutting to see if it has rooted by gently tugging it. If there is resistance, then roots have formed and the cutting is starting to grow. Congratulations, you've successfully potted a plant clipping!