Plants to Propagate in a Jar: Perfect for Beginning Plant Parents
Ready to cultivate your green thumb and transform your space into a lush indoor garden? It’s easier than you think!
This article is a treasure trove featuring a curated list of favorite plants to propagate in a jar. You’ll discover that starting your own mini indoor garden can be simple and incredibly rewarding.
So, let’s dive into the world of propagation and watch your love for plants grow along with your new plant babies!
Tips for Propagating in Glass Jars
If you have attempted to propagate in glass jars before but failed, we’re here to tell you – DON”T GIVE UP!
Even though the concept sounds easy, you can do a few things to put the odds of success in your favor.
Take a look at our favorite tips for propagating in glass jars below.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Plant
Choosing the right plant is critical when starting propagation. Not all plants grow well in water, especially succulents and desert species. Instead, opt for water-loving plants like Pothos or Philodendron. Don’t worry – we’ve listed our favorite plants for water propagation in the section below!
Tip 2: Cut Correctly
Once you’ve selected a compatible plant, your next task is to cut it correctly for effective propagation. Always make sure to cut below a node—these are bumpy segments on the plant stem where leaves and roots sprout. A good propagating cut will have at least one node submerged in water.
Tip 3: Jar Selection Matters
You know those aesthetic pictures of beautiful plants thriving gorgeously in mason jars? You can achieve that, too – if you choose your jar wisely! Clear glass containers are perfect because they allow sunlight to reach the root system, which helps promote growth.
Tip 4: Keep Up with Cleaning
An essential tip here is to change the jar’s water weekly and clean out any slime that may develop inside (it’s part of the process). This kind of care prevents bacterial development that could hinder plant growth and keeps your prospective green child happy.
Tip 5: Monitor Light Exposure
Lastly, but crucially, light exposure matters too! Positioning your jar near a north or east-facing window provides softer light exposure, which most indoor plants enjoy compared to harsh southern rays. But watch for leaf burn signs – overly brown or yellow leaves might mean it’s time for a sunnier spot.
Our Favorite Plants to Propagate in a Jar
Now that you are armed with a few propagation tips to improve your success rate, let’s focus our attention on the fun part – choosing the plants for your next propagation project!
Pretty Peperomia in a Jar
Peperomia plants are perfect for propagating in a jar due to their love for humidity, warmth, and epiphytic nature. They thrive when they mimic growing on decaying wood like in their natural habitat.
A helpful tip: Use a rooting hormone when propagating your Peperomia. Choose a healthy leaf with a stem, apply the hormone, and place it in a water-filled jar. Consistently change water each week and give it enough indirect light.
Beautiful Begonias in a Jar
The Begonia is the perfect candidate to propagate at home. It’s almost as if they were made to thrive in jars. Begonias have a certain knack for water propagation because of their semi-aquatic nature. They respond well to the humid environment that a jar provides, which encourages root growth. Their leaf nodes (the area where the leaf attaches to the stem) are primed for developing new roots when submerged in water.
Ensure your Begonia propagation success: always change the jar’s water every week. This prevents bacterial or fungal growth that might hinder your Begonia’s progress. And don’t forget, placement is key! A spot with bright, indirect light will keep your little one happy and growing.
Monstera Adonsonii in a Jar – A Holey Delight
Monstera Adonsonii, also known as the “Swiss Cheese Vine,” is a perfect choice for propagation in a jar. It’s a fast-growing plant that loves to climb and sprawl, making it visually delightful in a glass jar.
The transparency of the jar lets you observe the fascinating process of root growth, which is one of the best parts about propagating in glass jars. This plant is also resilient and adaptable, which means it can thrive in water for an extended period before being transferred to the soil if you choose to do so.
To tip the odds in your favor, ensure your cutting has at least one node (the brown bumps on the stem), as this is where the new roots will sprout. Place it in a jar with room temperature water and ensure the node is submerged.
Monstera in a Jar Much?
Monstera Deliciosa, also fondly known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is an absolute joy to propagate in a jar. The first reason is its robust nature. These plants are tropical climbers by nature and are extremely hardy, making them perfect candidates for water propagation.
Moreover, the Monstera’s root system is simply fascinating. When you place a cutting in water, you’ll witness the development of its aerial and normal roots over time – a truly rewarding experience!
Don’t Forget the Monstera Borsigiana Albo
While we are talking about Monsteras, we cannot forget about the Monstera Borsigiana Albo. Just like its cousins, it is well suited to water propagation methods.
With its stunningly variegated leaves and adaptable nature, it can thrive in water-based environments. It’s an excellent way to observe root development and enjoy the plant’s beauty in a different setting.
One valuable tip to remember is changing the jar’s water every week. This keeps the plant healthy by preventing bacteria buildup and ensuring that your Monstera gets a fresh batch of nutrients regularly. Give it plenty of indirect sunlight, and watch it flourish!
Mix it Up with Various Plants in a Propagation Station
If you have a few plant babies itching to be propagated, try getting yourself a propagation station!
Setting up propagation stations for your plant cuttings is not just a great idea. It’s akin to creating your own little green utopia at home. Why?
It allows you to grow multiple plants from a single mother plant – talk about being resourceful and sustainable!
Plus, having a mini nursery allows for controlled growth, so you can constantly monitor root development and ensure the health of new buds.
The real charm of propagation stations comes alive visually. Nothing brings us more joy than watching tiny roots sprout from your cuttings. Priceless!
Avocado Plants – The Original Experiment
Avocado seeds are the perfect experiment to grow with your kids. Especially with their roots unfurling into the water and the seed splitting to accommodate the growing shoot. The process is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. Plus, you’re repurposing something that would otherwise be discarded!
Avocados are tropical plants, and they love warmth and sunlight. So, when you start your avocado seed in a jar, ensure it’s in a warm area with plenty of indirect light. It’s a game of patience, as it can take several weeks for the seed to sprout, but it’s worth the wait! Remember to change the water in your jar every week to keep it fresh.
When suspending your avocado seed over water, ensure it is oriented correctly to avoid disappointed children. The pointy end should face up, and the flat end should be in the water.
Pothos – Heart-Shaped Devils Ivy!
Definitely one of our favorite indoor plants to propagate – Pothos plants are extremely easy to water propagate in jars.
They’re known for their hardy nature and adaptability, making them perfect for beginners. For one, they root quite easily in water, allowing you to watch the progress of root development, which can be a truly fascinating experience. Plus, they’re also very forgiving to a little neglect. This means even if you forget to change the water for a few days, they won’t hold a grudge!
To help your Pothos thrive, position your jar in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. While Pothos can tolerate low light conditions, they do best in brighter spots.
Alocasias – A Sight to Behold
If you are after a plant that will improve your indoor garden’s aesthetics, try propagating Alocasias.
Alocasias, often called Elephant Ears plants, are a fantastic choice for jar propagation. They’re known for their fast growth and stunning, large leaves, which can bring a touch of tropical beauty to your home. Propagating them in a jar allows you to visually monitor root growth and health, which isn’t always possible with soil propagation.
Or if you find some corms (tiny underground plant stems) around your Alocasia’s roots, try placing them on a bed of perlite or stratum.
Adorable String of Turtles Propagation Station
The String of Turtles, scientifically known as Peperomia Prostrata, has a stunning cascading pattern that perfectly matches a propagation tower’s vertical design.
These plants are excellent for propagation because they root very easily. Even a small leaf or stem cutting has the potential to grow into an entirely new plant, giving you plenty of opportunities to multiply your plant family.
For successful propagation, always ensure your cuttings have at least one node, as this is where new root growth will emerge. Place them in water within your propagation tower, ensuring the node is submerged. Remember, patience is key when it comes to propagation. It might take several weeks to see any roots emerging, but rest assured that the wait will be worth it once you see those tiny roots sprouting!