If you’ve ever admired the trailing beauty of inch plants, also known as Wandering Jew, you’ll be excited to know just how easy they are to propagate at home.
Whether you’re a plant newbie or a seasoned green thumb, propagating inch plants is a fun and straightforward process.
In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to grow new plants effortlessly using both water and soil. Let’s get started and turn one plant into many!
When Is The Best Time To Propagate?
Ideally, you should be propagating inch plants during the plant’s growth period.
The general consensus among experienced gardeners is that propagating in the slightly warmer months makes the most sense. Therefore, springtime and summer are your best bets.
For successful propagation, you want surrounding temperatures to be in the optimal range and adequate light to encourage root growth. Let’s run through a detailed guide on inch plant propagation to understand the process better:
Propagating Inch Plants In Water
Step 1: Collect Healthy Cuttings
With a pair of clean and sharp pruning shears, cut a mature inch plant’s stem which ideally has a few nodes on it. Because inch plants aren’t that hard or tough in terms of texture, cutting off a stem shouldn’t be that difficult.
Just make sure the cutting you acquire is at least 3-4 inches.
Step 2: Rooting Hormone Dip
This step isn’t necessary but, if you’re looking for quicker root development, it’s definitely worth doing.
Simply dip the cut end of your inch plant cutting in rooting hormone, which is usually available in a powder form, and set it aside to rest.
Step 3: Prepare The Vase/Container
You can use a small glass for this or a large container filled with water. Just ensure whatever container you decide to use is sturdy and wide enough to support optimal root development.
Step 4: Place The Cutting In The Water
This step is fairly easy. You just put your cutting in the container of water and set it aside in an indirectly lit spot. Ensure the whole stem is submerged in water and not just a part of it.
Step 5: Transplant To Soil
Once the roots have sufficiently developed in water, you’re going to take the cutting out and transplant it outside in the garden or a small pot of soil. After transplantation, let them recover from the shock, and don’t stress them out too much.
Propagating Inch Plants In Soil
Step 1: Prepare The Pot
Fill a small pot with high-quality potting mix from your local gardening store. Ideally, if you want a bigger inch plant, you should go with a bigger pot. Add some water to the potting soil to introduce some moisture.
Step 2: Place The Cutting In The Pot
Place your stem cutting in the soil, burying the nodes to ensure proper sprouting. The cutting should remain upright at all times and not droop to one side.
Step 3: Trap Moisture & Set Aside
Place a thin plastic sheet or bag over your pot with the cutting in it and set it aside for about 4-6 weeks. The plastic bag will help lock in moisture and prevent the cutting from drying out.
Step 4: Carefully Monitor
Once you begin to see some new growth on the stem, get rid of the plastic covering and let the plant continue its rapid growth. Inch plants are known for their dramatic growth in relatively short periods of time.
Aftercare Tips For Healthy Growth
Troubleshooting Common Propagation Issues
Temperatures too high or too low can negatively affect propagation. Moderate temperature conditions encourage the best root development results.
Going overboard with water can quickly suffocate and permanently damage any roots your young cutting may have developed. Only water when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
