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The Ultimate 2023 Guide to Using a Propagation Station: Everything You Need to Know, Plus FAQs
Updated: Jun 11
It might sound difficult, but it's actually quite simple and relatively fast to do once you gain experience, a little bit of effort and very little knowledge will get you propagating in no time.
Frequently asked questions about using a propagation station and propagating in water.
Ok so, firstly let's answer some of those burning questions whereafter we get started learning the basics of how to propagate plants in water, further below I will go into great detail and provide top tips on how the professionals do it and where you can go wrong, and how to fix it if it does.
What is propagation?
Propagation is the process of increasing the number of plants in a garden or nursery. It can be done through sexual reproduction, which involves the union of a male and female plant to create a new plant, or asexual reproduction, which involves taking a part of one plant and causing it to regenerate itself into a new plant. Propagation typically occurs as a step in the overall cycle of plant growth.
There are many different methods of propagation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some common methods include:
Seeding: This is the most common method of propagation. Seeds are planted in a growing medium and allowed to germinate. Once they have germinated, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots or into the ground.
Cuttings: This method involves taking a cutting from a healthy plant and rooting it in water or a rooting medium. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a pot or into the ground.
Layering: This method involves bending a stem down to the ground and covering it with soil. Once the stem has rooted, it can be cut from the parent plant and transplanted into a pot or into the ground.
Division: This method involves dividing a mature plant into two or more smaller plants. Each smaller plant can then be transplanted into a pot or into the ground.
Grafting: This method involves joining two different plants together. The scion, which is the desired plant, is grafted onto the rootstock, which provides the support.
The best method of propagation for a particular plant will depend on the type of plant, the desired results, and the resources available.
Is it better to propagate in water or soil?
The best way to propagate a plant depends on the type of plant. Some plants, such as succulents, are best propagated in water, while others, such as herbs, are best propagated in soil.
Here is a general overview of the pros and cons of propagating in water and soil:
Water
Pros:
Easy to see the roots growing
Less likely to develop diseases
Can be used for a variety of plants
Cons:
Roots can become weak and leggy
Plants may not be as vigorous as those propagated in soil
Water can evaporate quickly, requiring frequent changes
Soil
Pros:
Roots develop more naturally
Plants are more vigorous
Less frequent watering is required
Cons:
More difficult to see the roots growing
More susceptible to diseases
Not all plants can be propagated in soil
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to propagate in water or soil is to do your research and choose the option that is best for you and your plants.
Here are some additional tips for propagating plants in water and soil:
Water
Use fresh, clean water.
Change the water every week or two.
Place the cutting in a warm, bright spot.
Be patient! It can take several weeks or even months for the cutting to root.
Soil
Use a well-draining potting mix.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Fertilize the plant every few weeks.
Be patient! It can take several weeks or even months for the cutting to root.
With a little care and patience, you can propagate a variety of plants in water and soil.
What is a propagation station?
A propagation station is a tool that is used to propagate plants. It is a container that holds water or a rooting medium, and it has individual compartments for each cutting. This allows you to keep your cuttings organized and easy to care for.
There are many different types of propagation stations available, both commercially and homemade.
Some propagation stations are made of glass or plastic, while others are made of wood or metal. Some propagation stations have lids, while others do not.
The type of propagation station you choose will depend on your needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a simple and affordable option, you can make your own propagation station out of a jar or vase. If you are looking for a more stylish and functional option, you can purchase a commercial propagation station.
No matter what type of propagation station you choose, it is important to keep it clean and free of bacteria. This will help to ensure that your cuttings root successfully.
Here are some of the benefits of using a propagation station:
It keeps your cuttings organized and easy to care for.
It helps to prevent the spread of disease.
It can help your cuttings root more quickly.
It can be used to propagate a variety of plants.
If you are interested in propagating plants, a propagation station is a great tool to have. It can make the process easier and more successful.
Why are test tubes good for propagating?
There are many reasons why test tubes are good for propagating. Some of the benefits include:
They are clear, so you can easily see the roots growing. This is helpful for monitoring the progress of your cuttings and ensuring that they are rooting successfully.
They are sterile, which helps to prevent the spread of disease. This is important for ensuring that your cuttings are healthy and free of pests.
They are small and lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and store. This is helpful if you are propagating a large number of cuttings or if you need to move your propagation station to a different location.
They are relatively inexpensive, which makes them a cost-effective option for propagating plants.
If you are interested in propagating plants, test tubes are a great option. They are easy to use, effective, and affordable.
What is the correct size test tube for my cutting?
It depends on the plant, we stock three different sizes of test tubes that perfectly suit the plant that you want to propagate, the list below explains the pros and cons of each size of glass test tubes below:
2cm test tubes are good for small stem cuttings like those from a heartleaf philodendron or other thin stemmed plants like a string of hearts, not so good for large cuttings like those from a snake plant.
The short 3cm test tubes are good for most stem cuttings, and you can fit more than one cutting into a single test tube, which helps them to root faster.
The long 3cm test tubes are good for large cuttings like those from Monstera plants, which typically have long thin stems, which need to be properly supported to stop them from kinking at the base, which can be fatal for a cutting.
What plants can you propagate in water?
A wide variety of plants can be propagated in water, including succulents, herbs, and tropical plants. Some common examples include:
African violets
Basil
Begonias
Jade plants
Pothos
Snake plants
Strawberries
Wandering Jew
What do I need to start propagating in water?
To propagate a plant in water, you will need:
A healthy plant from which to take the cutting
A sharp knife or scissors
A clean jar or vase
Water
Instructions:
Choose a healthy plant from which to take the cutting. The cutting should be about 4-6 inches long and have at least two nodes. A node is a small bump on the stem where leaves or roots emerge.
Use a sharp knife or scissors to make a clean cut just below a node.
Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water.
Fill a jar or vase with fresh, clean water.
Place the cutting in the water, making sure that the nodes are submerged.
Place the jar or vase in a warm, bright spot.
Change the water every week or two.
Be patient! It can take several weeks or even months for the cutting to root.
Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a pot of soil. Be sure to water the new plant regularly.
What type of water should I use to propagate plants in water?
You should use fresh, clean water to propagate plants in water. Tap water is generally fine, but you may want to use filtered or bottled water if your tap water has a strong chlorine smell, using reverse osmosis water can also help stimulate root growth as there are no nutrients or minerals in the water.
How often should I change the water when propagating plants in water?
You should change the water in your propagation jar every week or two.
This will help to keep the water clean and prevent the growth of bacteria, and to refresh the roots with new nutrients and minerals, be sure to clean the test tubes as well to prevent the growth of algae.
How do you take a cutting?
Examine the desired plant to look for suitable cuttings, in general a cutting should have at least one leaf and a part of the stem (this is called a stem cutting) or it should be a large leaf like the top half of a snake plant leaf (this is called a leaf cutting).
Prepare the plant, a week prior to taking cuttings, by ensuring the plant is pest free, well watered and looks healthy with lots of leaves and branches.
Take cuttings early in the morning after watering your plant, don't take more than you need, it can stunt the growth of the parent plant, also take cuttings from the center of the plant, this encourages lush growth and faster recovery by opening up concealed node sites.
Immediately after taking a cutting, put it in water with the cutting site fully submerged to stop air bubbles from circulating up the stem and killing or stunting the cutting.
Transfer the cutting to the final propagation vessel, making sure that the cutting site is fully submerged under the water.
Place the cutting in a bright but not direct sun area, leave it alone and regularly top off the water as it evaporates, be patient this is a long but rewarding process that rewards 90% of the time if done well and care is taken.
How long does it take for a cutting to root?
In our experience it usually takes between 2-6 weeks for a cutting to start to root, it mostly depends on the plant and it can vary significantly from plant to plant and even between cuttings taken from the same plant or branch.
Water temperature can also play a part, if the initial water is too cold it can shock the plant and then it won't ever create roots, or too hot and you burn the plant cells killing the plant, we suggest using room temperature water, that has stood overnight to evaporate the chlorine.
In essence, be patient, sometimes very patient.
The time it takes for plants to root in water varies depending on the type of plant and the conditions. Some plants, such as pothos and succulents, can root in just a few weeks. Other plants, such as African violets and herbs, can take several months to root.
What should I do if my plant does not root in water?
If your plant does not root in water, there are a few things you can do:
Check the water quality. Make sure you are using fresh, clean water.
Check the sunlight. Make sure your plant is getting enough bright, indirect sunlight.
Check the water & ambient air temperature. The ideal temperature for rooting cuttings is between 18 and 24 degrees Celcius.
Be patient! It can take several weeks or even months for some plants to root in water.
With a little patience and care, you can propagate a variety of plants in water.
Do I need to fertilise the cuttings?
The longer you intend on keeping the plant in water, the more you have to think about its growing conditions, water has very little nutrients and this is exactly why your plant makes so many roots in water, it is searching for food, which in this case is very scarce and it gets worse the longer the plant is in the water.
If you see the leaves starting to yellow, then you need to start to fertilise, there are many great brands on the market but I would suggest an all-in-one plant food for indoor plants.
Chemical or Organic Fertiliser when propagating in water?
When growing in water, it should be chemical based instead of organic to mitigate mold and fungus growth, after transferring your cutting to the soil, you can switch to an organic fertilizer, which will help to grow a healthy rooting environment that will cause lush & vigorous plant growth.
How much sunlight do plants need when propagating in water?
Most plants need bright, indirect sunlight when propagating in water. Avoid placing your propagation jar in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves and make the water hot which can cause root rot and algae buildup.
What you need to get started propagating in water:
A few basic tools and some things you probably already have around the house is all that's required to get started, at the very least you only need a pair of scissors and a glass filled with water to get going, however using a propagation station can make this a simple and beautiful experience.
Here are the 9 easy steps on how to propagate in water:
Choose a healthy plant. The plant you choose should be healthy and free of pests or diseases.
Take a cutting. The cutting should be about 4-6 inches long and have at least two nodes. A node is a small bump on the stem where leaves or roots emerge.
Make a clean cut. Use a sharp knife or scissors to make a clean cut just below a node.
Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water. This will help to prevent the leaves from rotting.
Fill a jar or vase with fresh, clean water.
Place the cutting in the water, making sure that the nodes are submerged.
Place the jar or vase in a warm, bright spot. The ideal temperature for rooting cuttings is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Change the water every week or two. This will help to keep the water clean and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Be patient! It can take several weeks or even months for the cutting to root.
Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a pot of soil. Be sure to water the new plant regularly.
Here are some additional tips for taking cuttings from different types of plants:
Succulents: Succulents are easy to propagate from cuttings. Simply cut a healthy leaf or stem from the plant and allow it to callous over for a few days. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and keep the soil moist. Most succulents will root within a few weeks.
Herbs: Herbs are also easy to propagate from cuttings. Simply cut a healthy stem from the plant that is about 6 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in the rooting hormone. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and keep the soil moist. Most herbs will root within a few weeks.
Flowering plants: Flowering plants can be propagated from cuttings, but the success rate varies depending on the type of plant. Some flowering plants that are easy to propagate from cuttings include African violets, geraniums, and petunias. To propagate a flowering plant from a cutting, simply follow the same steps as for succulents and herbs.
With a little practice, you can easily propagate a variety of plants from cuttings.