11 Houseplants You Can Propagate From Cuttings In December

For gardeners, December can feel like an unusual month. For starters, the temperature and environmental conditions make it harder to sow a lot of popular plants, so many just choose to sit back and wait this month out. 

But you don’t have to! In today’s article, I’m going to show you exactly how you can make December a productive month by exploring a long list of houseplants you can propagate easily from cuttings during the wintertime. 

Let’s dive into this fascinating world of cold-season houseplants, shall we?

Why December Is Great For Propagating Indoors

I actually love propagating houseplants in December. The garden is quiet, the house is cozy, and it’s one of the few winter projects that gives you that “something is growing” feeling.

It’s honestly one of my favorite winter habits. When everything outside feels dormant, these tiny jars of roots bring so much life back into the house!

Houseplants To Propagate This December

December is the month when I like to walk around the house with pruning scissors and a cup of tea, looking for plants that are ready to share a cutting.

Most houseplants root perfectly well in winter, and many of them get started even faster than you’d expect. Here are the ones that have always given me the best success this time of year.

1: Pothos

Pothos was actually the first plant I ever propagated successfully, so it’s the one I always recommend to beginners. It’s one of the most forgiving plants to propagate in winter.

For propagation, cut 4-6 inch stems from the parent pothos and let them root in water for 1-2 weeks.

Quick tip: I’ve learned pothos root faster when I trim off any yellowing leaves before placing them in water, they rot easily otherwise.

And if you’ve ever had pothos cuttings that root beautifully but refuse to grow new leaves (been there!), I have a guide on exactly what’s usually missing!

2: Philodendron

Philodendrons have quite a similar simple nature to pothos.

To get cuttings, cut stems below the leaf node and ensure each stem has 2-3 leaves on it and place it in water or soil. Both methods work well indoors in December.

3: Snake Plant

Snake plants root from leaf sections, not stems.

Cut each leaf into 2-3 inch sections and carefully plant them in soil, cut side down. Snake plants typically take 4-8 weeks to establish and begin rooting properly. 

Quick reminder: Some gardeners trim the base into a little V-shape. It doesn’t make the plant root faster, but it does make it easier to tell which side is ‘down’, which has definitely saved me a few times, haha.

Snake plants have a few different propagation methods, so if you ever want to try the other options (including division), I have a full guide that covers all four.

4: Spider Plant

Spider plants do the work for you!

To propagate spider plants, it’s best if you cut off baby plantlets with small roots still attached. Immediately plant them in water or soil. As long as you don’t let it dry out, it will take off quickly! 

5: Coleus

Coleus is ridiculously fast and very easy to propagate in the wintertime! Take 4-6 inch stem cuttings and put them in water. It can root in water within days (as long as it has bright, indirect light).

Quick tip: Even though it roots fast, but it hates cold water! I only use room-temperature water or the stems turn mushy.

6: English Ivy

To propagate English ivy effectively, take 4-6 inch stem cuttings, remove the lower leaves from them, and let them root in water for a few weeks before transplanting.

7: Begonias

Begonias can be a little confusing because different types root in different ways.

No matter the type, keep the soil lightly moist and avoid soggy conditions, begonias dislike wet feet and usually need a few weeks to start rooting.

8: Jade Plant

With jade plants, patience pays off. It can root from the stem or leaf, so pick whatever you find easier to work with. Unfortunately, you do have to let the cutting dry and callus for 24 hours before placing it in soil. Succulents absolutely need this step.

Quick tip: I’ve ruined more jade cuttings by watering too early than anything else. I let the soil stay almost dry until roots appear.

9: African Violet

For African violets, I’d suggest propagating them using healthy stems with single leaves. They’re slow but steady.

You have the freedom to propagate them in both water and soil, but keep in mind that new baby plants usually appear in 4-6 weeks. Winter light actually helps keep growth compact!

10: Holiday Cactus

Name a better combo than propagating a Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus in December…I’ll wait.

Twist off a small Y-shaped segment, let it dry for a day (24 hours), then place it in barely-moist soil. They root surprisingly fast if you don’t overwater.

And if you want a more detailed walk-through for holiday cacti, I have a full step-by-step version that shows exactly what the segments and new roots should look like

11: Inch Plant

Inch plants root almost instantly. A simple stem cutting in water will show roots within a week. It’s one of the easiest plants to multiply during winter.

Quick tip: Inch plants flop if they don’t get enough light during rooting, so I place them right near a bright window for compact growth.

If you want a deeper look at all the little tricks that make inch plants root even faster, I have a full guide on propagating them that walks through every step

Basic Propagation Tips For Success

Before you start snipping, here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I first started propagating houseplants. They’re simple, but they make the whole process so much easier, especially in winter, when everything roots at its own slow, cozy pace.

These tiny habits made a huge difference for me. Once you get the feel for it, winter propagation becomes one of those relaxing little routines, and honestly, half the fun is checking in every day to see what’s happening (even if nothing’s happening yet).

And if your home doesn’t get much natural light in winter, I also have a list of houseplants that grow well in low-light corners, super handy if you’re working with darker rooms.

Water Vs Soil Propagation: Which Is Better?

What’s the best choice? For most common houseplants, starting them in water is the fastest and most reliable. I still switch to soil once the roots are a couple of inches long. Succulents, though, are the one exception, they must be propagated in soil only.

Some houseplants actually grow faster in water long-term, so if you prefer the water method, I’ve put together a list of the ones that truly thrive that way.

Let’s Conclude

If you were thinking of taking a chill pill this December, sadly for you, you’ve got work to do! Now that you’re aware of what houseplants can be propagated in the winter, it’s time you consider all the options and make the right choice for yourself. Best of luck!