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Plant cuttings in glass bottles sit on a shelf, a cheap and easy way to grow indoor plants for home.

Polka dot plants in egg carton hot house for story on indoor plant propagation

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  • Cuttings from friends or plants to take cuttings from (always ask first!)
  • Secateurs or sharp scissors
  • Old jam jar(s)
  • Plastic plant pot(s)
  • Good quality potting mix
  • Marker pen
  • Hormone rooting powder (optional)
  • Hair clips or wire (for method four)

  1. Cut about 10cm off the end of a stem, making the cut just below a node (the spot where a leaf joins the stem).
  2. Remove the bottom leaf and place the stem into a jar of clean water.
  3. Replace the water every few days until you can see roots growing.
  4. Transplant the cutting into a pot of potting mix.

  1. Locate the side shoot or pup at the base of the plant.
  2. Gently cut down the side shoot to separate it, avoiding cutting off any little roots.
  3. Place the pup into some potting mix.
  4. Keep moist but not damp, and a new plant will develop.

  1. Cut off a snake plant leaf as close to the soil as possible
  2. Cut the leaf into segments about 10cm long, making a small mark on each bit to indicate the "top".
  3. Allow the segments to sit for a couple of days until the ends dry off.
  4. Dip the base of the cuttings into rooting hormone powder, if using. See tips below for more detail.
  5. Place cuttings about 3cm into a pot of mix.
  6. Gently mist or water in and keep moist but not wet.

  1. Snip a leaf from the main plant and cut off any stem as close to the leaf as possible.
  2. Place the leaf face-down so that veins are visible, including the large mid or main vein.
  3. Cut leaf into segments, including a section of the main vein in each cutting.
  4. Place the cuttings vein-down on the surface of the potting mix, and secure in place with a bobby pin or piece of wire.
  5. Once roots have developed, gently transplant cuttings to their own pots.

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