How to Propagate Inch Plants in Water

Inch plants, also known as wandering Jew plants, are beautiful and easy-to-care indoor plants. They are popular for their vining nature, colorful foliage, and low maintenance requirements. If you want to expand your inch plant collection or share some with friends, propagating them in water is a simple and effective method. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of propagating inch plants in water.

What You Will Need

Before we start, let’s gather our supplies. To propagate inch plants in water, you will need the following items:

A healthy mature inch plant

A sharp and clean pair of scissors or pruning shears

A clear container or jar

Water

Rooting hormone (optional)

Make sure that the container or jar is large enough to hold the cuttings and has a narrow neck to support the stem.

The Propagation Process

Now that we have everything we need, let's start propagating our inch plants in water.

Prepare the cutting: Using sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut a mature stem of your inch plant just below a node, which is a small bump where the leaves and roots emerge. The cutting should be at least five inches long and should have a few leaves on it. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting to expose the nodes.

Apply rooting hormone (optional): If you have rooting hormone, you can dip the cut end of the stem into it before putting it in water. Rooting hormone is not necessary, but it can speed up the rooting process and increase the success rate.

Place the cutting in water: Fill the container or jar with enough water to cover the bottom of the stem. Make sure that no leaves are underwater as they can rot and contaminate the water. Place the container in a bright and warm spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every two to three days to prevent bacteria growth.

Wait for roots to grow: After a few weeks, you should start to see roots growing from the nodes of the stem. The roots will become more prominent and longer over time. Wait until the roots are at least an inch long before transplanting the cutting into soil.

Transplant the cutting: Once the roots have grown to an adequate length, carefully remove the cutting from the water and plant it in a pot with fresh soil. Water the cutting and place it in a bright but indirect spot. Avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight as it can burn and damage the leaves.

Care for your new plant: Congratulations, you have successfully propagated your inch plant in water! Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, mist the leaves regularly to increase humidity, and fertilize the plant every two to three months during the growing season.

Wrapping Up

Propagating inch plants in water is a straightforward and rewarding process that requires minimal effort and resources. With these steps, you can grow your inch plant collection, share your beloved plants with others, and enjoy the beauty of wandering Jew plants even more. Happy propagating!