It’s so easy to buy new plants that you can add to your collection. However, it’s also fun and rewarding when you’re able to grow new greeneries from existing ones.
Many indoor plants, such as prayer plants, are simple to propagate either by division, in water, or in soil.
Luckily, we’re here to guide you on how to propagate prayer plants properly. Keep on reading to know more about this!
What Tools Do I Need for Prayer Plant Propagation?
To propagate prayer plants, here are the things you will need for a smooth process:
- Your original prayer plant
- A pair of scissors
- A glass or vase (for water propagation)
- A pot with drainage holes
- Some moistened soil
- Clean water
- A clear plastic bag
How Do I Propagate Prayer Plants?
There are different ways to easily propagate prayer plants. We’ll go over each method so you can enjoy watching their babies grow beautifully in your home.
Propagating by Division
Propagating by division is the simplest method of asexual propagation. In simple terms, it’s cutting one or more sections of the mother plant and putting them in separate pots.
- Prepare two pots both with fresh soil.
- Carefully remove the original plant by holding its stems and staying away from the leaves.
- Gently loosen the soil around the roots of the mother plant and pull the roots apart.
- Check for loose stems and cut them off.
- Place your new plant into one pot and the mother plant into the other one.
- Water and cover your new plant with a clear plastic bag to help contain humidity.
- Keep the plastic bag until you see new growth.
- Place your new plant in a spot where there’s minimal light until it adjusts to its new pot.
Propagating in Water
Propagating prayer plants in water is a great way to watch the roots grow, but you’ll still have to transfer the plant to the soil eventually.
- Cut off a piece below a node using a clean pair of scissors.
- Keeping the node is essential because that’s where the new roots will sprout from.
- Submerge the node in a jar with room-temperature water and make sure there are no leaves below the surface.
- Put the jar in a bright area where it can receive indirect sunlight.
- To speed up the rooting process, create a greenhouse by sealing the jar using a clear plastic bag and poking a few air holes to allow ventilation.
- Once the new roots have developed, put the plant in a new pot and give it a good watering.
Propagating in Soil
When propagating prayer plants in soil, follow the same method used in water propagation. This time, instead of submerging the nodes into the water, place them directly into a container of moistened soil.
You can also seal the container with a clear plastic bag to control humidity, but remember to remove it every other day to let in some fresh air. Plus, it’s important to make a few small holes in the plastic bag so that air can circulate through the plant.
After a few weeks, gently pull the cutting to see if the roots have already developed. If you meet resistance while pulling, it means your prayer plant is growing healthily.
Propagating By Seeds
Growing prayer plants using seeds is harder compared to the other methods of propagation. Indoor plants, such as the prayer plants, rarely bloom flowers. Without flowering, these plants wouldn’t be able to produce seeds.
If you’re lucky enough to have one, plant your seed in moistened soil that has temperatures from 55℉ to 65℉ (13℃ to 18℃).
If you’re sowing directly into a pot, cover the soil with a clear plastic bag to keep the moisture. Afterward, when the roots grow long enough, you can remove the plastic bag and move the pot to an area with indirect sunlight.
How Long Does It Take to Propagate Prayer Plants?
The timeline of prayer plant propagation depends on the temperature and the environment. The average propagation duration is around three weeks to a month before the roots grow long enough.
Prayer plants grow best when you place them in a bright area. They prefer warmer temperatures but they shouldn’t be in direct sunlight.
When Is the Best Time to Propagate Prayer Plants?
The best time to propagate prayer plants is in spring and summer because these are their growing seasons. Nevertheless, since prayer plants can grow indoors, you can still propagate them any time of the year.
Yet, take note that air tends to be drier during the winter season, so consider running a humidifier to increase moisture around your prayer plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my propagated prayer plant not growing roots?
Some prayer plants need more time to grow roots because they’re still adjusting to the soil.
Just make sure to keep the soil moistened for a couple of weeks, and your prayer plant will surely grow its roots.
Why are my stem cuttings not growing roots in water?
One of the reasons why your stem cuttings aren’t growing roots in water is because they’re soaked in for too long.
Moreover, harmful bacteria can start to form on stems when they’re submerged in stagnant water, which leads to rot.
Is it better to propagate in soil than in water?
Leaf and stem cuttings grow better roots when they’re planted directly in the moistened soil. You can also use perlite or coarse sand to increase drainage and avoid overwatering.
To Wrap It Up
How to propagate prayer plants?
The first method is propagating by division, where you cut the mother plant into sections and put them in separate pots.
The other methods are propagating in soil and in water, and both follow similar steps. However, planting directly in the soil is more convenient and has a higher success rate compared to growing roots in water.
You can also try propagating this plant by seeds, but it’ll be a bit more challenging.
Good luck in growing your indoor plant collection!
