Houseplants don’t just brighten up a room — they breathe life into it, in every sense of the word. Whether you’re looking for a splash of green to liven up a space or a bold statement piece to spark conversation, plants have a way of making a home feel more inviting.
But if you’ve ever found yourself filling your cart at the garden center, you know how quickly the cost adds up. That’s where propagation comes in; it’s a budget-friendly, endlessly rewarding way to grow your collection. Taking cuttings and nurturing them into new plants isn’t just simple; it’s downright addictive. Before you know it, you’ll have more leafy friends than you ever planned for — but let’s be honest, is that really a bad thing?
We researched studies, such as those by the Virginia Cooperative Extension, and popular gardening blogs to find out which plants grow well from cuttings. Grab your scissors and see if any of these are already growing in your home!
Spider Plant
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Spider plants are one of the most common houseplants because they’re incredibly easy to care for. Anyone who has ever owned one has undoubtedly seen how quickly they can spawn babies!
Get Busy Gardening teaches that you can easily propagate spider plants in either soil or water. Cut the babies from the main plant and put them in water until they grow roots. Once they do, plant them in some soil, and voila! You have more spider plants.
ZZ Plant
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The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant, is a bit of a statement piece to add to your home. It’s among those easy to care for and a popular addition to households.
To propagate this plant, Gardener’s Path says you should take a stem cutting from it and, like spider plants, place it in water (or soil) until roots grow. This can take quite a bit of time, so patience is key here. But in the end, you’ll be rewarded with some extra ZZs to put around your home or give away.
Ivy
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I’m always impressed with how quickly ivy seems to grow and how far it extends. If you don’t watch, it could completely grow out of control. But it does create a very lovely aesthetic, especially in a garden.
Shuncy explains that ivy is easy to propagate, but for the best success you should take cuttings towards the end of summer.
To propagate from the main plant, cut a 4″ to 5″ section off of a thriving plant only. Then, place the cutting in water and let it hang out there for a few weeks. Make sure you change the water every few days to keep it healthy. Indirect sunlight will help this cutting thrive and then you can plant it in soil.
Monstera
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Monsteras are gorgeous plants with large, thick, glossy leaves that stand out and they’re no-fuss plants, making them perfect for just about any household.
If you want more in your home, skip the seeds or buying a new plant in favor of propagating. Just Houseplants shares an in-depth guide on how to propagate this houseplant, but essentially, all you have to do is trim below a leaf node, give it a few minutes to heal, and then place it in water to grow roots.
Jade
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If you’re looking for a really easy plant to grow from cuttings, look no further than jade. This succulent has a frosty look with red-rimmed leaves. It’s easy to care for and easier to grow from a cutting. Just snip off a piece of the stem.
Succulents and Sunshine teaches that you don’t even have to cut it if you don’t want to: just use a fallen leaf!
Coleus
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If you want a leafy plant with a pop of color, the coleus has stunning foliage in shades of maroon, green, red, pink, and yellow. But you don’t have to stop at one. When yours is growing well, snip off a cutting and propagate it so you have even more.
It’s best to place the cutting in water, where it will take approximately two to three weeks to grow a root system.
Corn Plant
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Though it’s native to Africa, the corn plant is a popular houseplant in both America and Europe. It has a woody stem and grows much like a tree with green and yellow leaves that droop.
Pick a stem that’s at least 4″ to 6″ long and has a few leaves on it and at least one node. Place it in water to form roots then plant as usual.
African Violet
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We can’t leave out the flowers. One of my favorites is the African violent, but if you try to grow them from seeds, you might find it’s a bit tricky. That’s where growing them from cuttings comes in.
All you need is a simple leaf cutting that measures approximately 1″ to 1.5″. Make sure you cut it at an angle, like you would fresh flowers, so it can effectively drink the water you place it in. Within a few weeks, you can plant it in soil.
Begonia
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Begonias are a magical plant when it comes to growing because it seems they never stop. Cut a leaf off? No problem, here’s another one for you.
Virginia Cooperative Extension says you can use stem cuttings or leaves to propagate this plant. Leaf-cutting is often the most effective way of propagating this plant, which blooms lovely flowers in a variety of shades, including red, pink, purple, white, and orange. Let them sit in water and grow roots and then replant.
