20 Easy To Propagate Indoor Plants

The most beautiful feeling for plant owners is seeing their indoor plants multiply in front of their eyes. And propagation is a great way to get new plants from existing ones without spending any money.

If you are new to this, don’t worry, as I will provide the details of 20 different plants that are easy to propagate.

Pothos, ZZ plants, English ivy, Fittonia, and Snake plant are some easy-to-propagate plants. You can propagate them in soil and water using healthy cuttings from the parent plant. For plants like snake plants, you can divide them from the roots to propagate them.

Keep reading this article to know how you can easily propagate the following 20 popular houseplants.

Easiest indoor plants to propagate

Propagation is not as daunting as it seems, and with the right knowledge, you can easily propagate your existing houseplants.

Let’s look at 20 popular easy-to-propagate indoor plants and how you can propagate them.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is a popular houseplant that is easy to grow and propagate.

They are hardy and can flourish in various environmental conditions.

Their lush green foliage that often slides from the sides of the pot attracts the plant owners.

Pothos are easy to propagate and will do best when propagated in water.

However, you can propagate them in soil too.

The propagation of a Pothos plant requires a healthy stem having 4-5 leaves.

• Start the propagation process by cutting the stem just below the node. Nodes are the point where the leaf meets the stem.
• Ensure the stem cutting is 4 inches long, and remove the bottom leaves of the stem before you put it in water. 
• After 2-4 weeks, the stem will start growing roots.
• Once you notice the roots are about 1 inch tall, transfer your Pothos to a new pot with well-draining potting soil.

2. Moses in the cradle (Tradescantia spathacea)

Moses in the cradle, also called oyster plants, are grown for their vibrant, structural, upright leaves.

There are three ways to propagate these plants:

• Stem cuttings
• Division
• Seeds

The easiest way to propagate them is through division.

The plant often grows side shoots that you can remove and repot to grow new plants.

• Pull out a clump of stems at the roots to divide a Moses plant.
• Plant the new stem cuttings in a pot containing light soil with good drainage.

If you want to propagate the Moses plant from stem cuttings, cut a 4-inch section of stem.

Remove the lower loaves from the stem and put the cutting in a jar of water.

After some weeks, new roots will grow.

3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

The English ivy is a popular vine that acts as a decorative cover for the walls of buildings and gardens. 

When grown as a houseplant, the trailing vines hang down the sides of the pots that look quite attractive.

The propagation of an English Ivy plant requires a large stem with multiple leaves on it. 

• Start the propagation process by cutting the stem directly above the leaf node into a few smaller pieces.
• Then dip the end of the cuttings into a rooting hormone.
• Plant the cuttings into the soil of a small pot.
• After covering it with a plastic bag, water the soil and keep the pot in a bright spot, the plastic bag will create a mini greenhouse and help trap moisture.
• After some weeks, you will notice new roots coming out from the cuttings.
• Once the roots grow, transplant them into small pots with drainage holes and sand-soil mix.

As an alternative, you can also propagate the cuttings in water. 

4. Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum)

The arrowhead plant is well-known among indoor gardeners due to its arrow-shaped leaves.

They are vines having multiple soft and thick stems and dense foliage.

For propagating an arrowhead plant, you will require some stem cuttings that you can get after pruning the plant.

Do the propagation during the late spring and summer months when the plant is actively growing.

• To propagate the plant by stem cuttings, take some stems with 3-4 nodes that can root in soil or water.
• You do not require to dip the cutting in rooting hormone as the plant can produce strong roots without any additional help.
• Remove any extra leaves that are present at the bottom of the cuttings.
• In a few weeks, you will notice the development of the tiny root from the cuttings. 

5. Umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)

Schefflera are pretty easy to propagate houseplants.

They get their name due to oval-shaped variegated leaves, which are in the shape of an umbrella.

If the plant receives ideal growth conditions, it will grow up to a height of 7-8 feet tall and can take a certain space of your house. 

If you don’t want a very tall plant, you can prune it and use the leaf cutting to grow more Schefflera plants. 

• Take some healthy leaves with leafstalk attached for propagation. 
• Plant the leaves around 1 cm deep in small pots with moist, well-draining potting soil.
• Cover the pots with a plastic bag and move them to a bright spot in your house.
• With proper moisture and lightening, the roots will develop from the leaf cuttings in some months. 

6. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, also known as ZZ plants, are wonderful houseplants that thrive even with little attention.

They are perfect for new indoor gardeners.

ZZ are slow-growing plants but are incredibly easy to maintain and propagate.

If you have a big plant, you can divide it into more pieces.

In the division method of propagation, you need to divide the plant into two parts and then repot them.

Stem cuttings are another way of propagating a ZZ plant.

• Start the propagation process by putting stem cuttings in the water and waiting for the roots to develop.
• Once the cutting has roots, plant them in a well-drained potting mix.

7. The String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

The String of pearls is succulent with spherical foliage that looks like pearls or marbles.

This plant loves to receive a few hours of direct sunlight every day. 

• The propagation of the String of pearls is easy, and you will require a stem cutting.
• Replant the stem cutting in a pot with drainage holes with any regular succulent potting mix.  
• Keep the soil slightly wet most of the time, and after a few weeks, you will find tiny roots growing out from the cuttings. 
• As an alternative, you can also propagate the cutting in water. 
• Only dip the bottom part of the cutting while the other portion should remain hanging over the side of the pot. 
• In 2-3 weeks, you will witness the growth of tiny roots from the cuttings.

8. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

The Swiss cheese plant is loved for its broad dark green leaves with holes.

The plant has developed these holes in its natural habitat so sunlight and rain can easily reach its roots. 

They are less demanding plants and can be grown with little attention and care.  

They are called ‘Monstera’ as they can become ‘monstrous’ in a few months under ideal growing conditions.

Hence, they will require periodic pruning to remain in shape. 

After pruning, the leftover stem cutting can be used for propagating new Monstera plants.

• Start the propagation process by taking some stem cuttings and cutting them directly below a node.
• Remove the extra leaves from the cuttings, plant them in a pot with well-drained soil or place them in water for rooting.
• Move the pot to a bright place so the roots can develop quickly.
• If you are propagating the cutting in water, change the water periodically and wait for the roots to develop.

9. Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Philodendron is popular due to its heart-shaped leaves that can bring charm and happiness to your room.

Philodendrons are also quite easy to grow and maintain.

Provide the plant with sufficient water, sunlight and fertilizer, and see how it flourishes. 

For propagating a philodendron, you will need:

• A pair of scissors.
• Stem cuttings.
• A pot with drainage holes with regular potting soil.
• A bowl filled with water if you want to propagate the cutting in water.

If you are propagating the plant in water, make sure that the leafless bottom of the stem should only submerge in water.

After some weeks, you may find tiny roots appearing from the cuttings.

10. Chinese money plant (Pilea peperiomioides)

Chinese money plants are often referred to as friendship plants or pass-it-on plants.

It is because they are very easy to propagate, and that is why people use the newly propagated pilea plant as a gifting option to their friends.

The Chinese money plant sprouts tiny plantlets when they are healthy and mature, and you may find them on the main stem, or they might pop out from the soil. 

• To propagate the plant, separate the pups and put them in their small pots with a well-draining potting mix.
• You should ensure the pups are big enough to survive and grow independently. 
• Alternatively, you can propagate the Chinese money in water by taking a healthy and thick stem for rooting it in water. 

11. String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

The String of hearts, popularly known as a chain of hearts, are trailing vines with variegated heart-shaped leaves.

You can propagate the String of heart directly in soil or water. 

Both of the propagation methods are easy and produce great results.

However, the propagation of the plant in water is a bit easier.

• Take a small vase, scissors, and some water for water propagation. 
• Choose vines that are 4 inches long with some healthy leaves on them.
• Place the cuttings in the vase with water, keep it in a bright, warm place and wait for the roots to appear.
• For soil propagation, lay the cutting horizontally on top of the soil.
• Ensure that there is no direct link between the cuttings and the soil. 
• Increase the humidity around the cuttings by putting the pot in a plastic bag.
• Open the bag weekly to let fresh air in and out to prevent mold formation.
• After a few weeks, the nodes will start to grow.

12. Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis)

The Nerve plants are popular for their dense, green leaves with delicate veins of white, pink, or red giving the plant an extraordinary look.

The plants are somehow fussy with their growing requirements, and if you don’t give them enough attention, they will show their displeasure by drooping, wilting, etc.

However, the propagation of a Nerve plant is not as difficult as its care.

You can propagate a nerve plant by using leaf cutting or stem cutting.

It is recommended to propagate the plant during the spring and summer months for the best results. 

They are a humidity-loving plant, so once you propagate the cuttings in a moist potting mix, wrap the pot with a plastic bag and keep it in a warm place. 

The bag will keep the humidity high, which will help in the early development of the roots within 3-4 weeks.

13. African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha)

African violets are beautiful flowering plants that produce white, pink, and purple flowers with leathery leaves.

They are easy to propagate, but the process can take some time.

Leaf-cutting can be used for the propagation of African violets. 

• Take a leaf cutting and cut it at a 450 angle. By Cutting the leaf at an angle, there will be more root and plantlet growth.
• Plant the leaf-cutting in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
• Move the pot inside a plastic bag to create a mini hothouse for the plant.
• Keep the pot in a place where high humidity and temperatures are warm.
• After some weeks, you will find new tiny leaves popping out from the soil.
• Once you notice 5-6 leaves, remove the baby plants and repot them in separate pots.

14. Prayer plant (Calathea)

Calatheas are attractive houseplants that have colorful, patterned leaves.  

They are a little fussy and can be difficult to care for the new plant enthusiast. 

However, the propagation of the plant is not difficult at all.

You can easily propagate a Calathea plant by division.

The best time to carry out the propagation process is during spring.

• Start the propagation process by removing the plant from the container.
• Choose a clump of stems with a proper root system that is not mixed up with the parent plant’s roots.
• Separate the stems with the help of sharp, sterilized pruners and plant them in well-drained small pots with moist, well-draining soil.
• Place the pots in a place with bright, indirect light and high humidity.

15. Mother of thousands (Bryophyllum daigremontianum)

Bryophyllum plants are popularly known as the mother of thousands.

It is because each leaf of the plant grows many plantlets along the edges, and these plantlets fall from the leaves and grow back as separate plants. 

They are the easiest plants to propagate since they do most of the work.  

They thrive in bright light and don’t prefer frequent watering. 

They multiply themselves and if you want to add Bryophyllum to your indoor garden, make sure to plant it in pots.

Otherwise, small Bryophyllum plants will bless your whole garden.

16. Hardy Elephant Ear (Alocasia went)

Alocasias are tropical plants known for their distinctive and stunning leaves.

The plant has glossy, broad, arrowhead-shaped leaves. 

Alocasia is pretty easy to care for, and the propagation is also not difficult since it can be capable of propagating itself. 

The Alocasia wentii is a tuberous plant that grows tubers.

The new plant emerges from the tubers. 

To propagate an alocasia wentii, remove the parent plant from the pot and remove the excess soil around the plant where pups are sprouting. 

The pups are attached to the rhizome, and they are already growing roots.

Remove a small section of the offsets having roots and leaves and plant them in separate pots.

17. Spider plants

Spider plants are adorable houseplants that are easiest to grow and propagate.

They have long wiry stems with little plantlets at the end. 

There are three ways to propagate a spider plant: seed, root division, or rooting plantlets.

All three methods yield great results.

However, rooting by plantlets is the easiest and fastest way of propagating a spider plant.

• In this propagation technique, you don’t need to separate the plantlets from the parent plant to propagate them. 
• You can tuck the plantlets in the soil and wait for their nodes to grow in the same pot where the main plant is growing. 
• Once the plantlets have developed a node at the base, you can remove them and root them in separate pots.

18. Burn plant (Aloe Vera)

Aloe Vera is succulent with green, thick, and fleshy leaves that store water in them.

They are low-maintenance plants and are also very easy to propagate. 

A healthy and mature Aloe Vera grows back new pups most of the time.

• If you have a large Aloe Vera plant, check the base of the plant to find tiny pups coming out from the soil. 
• You can use the tiny pubs for propagating a whole new Aloe Vera plant. Since they are succulents, you will need to allow the pups to scab for a day before you plant them in new pots. 
• To plant the pups, take a pot with drainage holes with a good succulent potting mix.

19. Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plant comes under those houseplants that can tolerate days of ignorance and still won’t complain about it.

They are non-fussy houseplants and are extremely easy to propagate also.  

There are two ways to propagate a snake plant, i.e., by division and leaf cuttings.

You will need only one healthy leaf for propagating the plant by leaf cuttings. 

• Cut the leaf into smaller sections and plant them in well-draining soil or you can root them in water and wait for the small roots to develop.
• While propagating in water, only submerge the bottom part of the cut leaf.
• Another easy way to propagate a snake plant is by division.
• In this propagation technique, you need to remove a clump of leaves with roots from the main plant with the help of sharp and sterilized pruners and transplant them into separate pots. 

Snake plants can propagate by themselves too.

When they are healthy and mature, they put out pups.

The pups are at the base of the plant, and you need to cut them off from the parent plant. 

Rinse off the soil from the pup and plant them in quality cactus potting mix to grow little snake plants.

20. Jade plant (Crassula Ovata)

Jade plants are one of those houseplants that are super easy to propagate even if you are new to indoor gardening.

Jade plants are pretty succulents with little, fleshy oval-shaped foliage. 

They are low-maintenance plants and will provide the best result if you propagate them in the hot summer. 

There are two methods for propagating the jade plant, i.e., leaf-cutting and stem-cutting.

• Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone and later plant them in well-drained pots with moist soil.
• Keep the pots in a place that provides the plant with bright, indirect light and plenty of humidity.
• With the ideal conditions, the roots will develop from the cutting within 1-2 months.

Propagation Tips

Here are a few tips you can follow while propagating your indoor plants.

1. Use clean and sterilized tools.

You should use clean and sterilized tools to make leaf, stem, or node cuttings.

Making clean cuts are important to make the propagation process easier and to keep the plant’s disease free.

Always clean the tools with rubbing alcohol before cutting the plant.

2. Vessels for propagation

You can use any vessel holding enough water for the cuttings to propagate.

Use an empty jar of any shape for propagation.

Consider using glass jars or purchasing a propagation station.

3. The choice between water and soil propagation

One question might arise in our mind which propagating base is better- propagation in soil or propagation in water? 

In most cases, personal preference matters. 

Although, there are certain things you should be aware of in any of the propagating bases you choose. 

If you are propagating in water, you must change the water every week to prevent mold growth.

Alternatively, suppose you are propagating in soil.

In that case, you need to maintain a higher level of humidity and sunlight for the healthy development of roots.

4. Have patience

The propagation process requires some time.

The roots usually develop early if you are propagating in water compared to soil propagation. 

If you are propagating the plant in soil, keep patience and avoid digging up the soil frequently to check whether it has new roots.

Final words

Propagating an indoor plant is great for multiplying your houseplant collection. The propagation process is easy if you know the right way of propagating the plants.

Instead of buying a new plant, you can propagate your houseplant and enjoy the process of bringing new life. In this article, I have mentioned some easy indoor plants to propagate, and if you are new to gardening, you must check them.

Once you successfully propagate baby plants, provide them with ideal growing conditions, care and love, and see them flourish.

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Reference: American Society for Horticultural Science, Propagating Houseplants, Basic Techniques for Propagating Plants.