Helpful information
Timing: Spring to early summer
Where to do it: Indoors
Garden space: Indoor space
The leaves of some houseplants can be used to grow new plants. Follow our step-by-step guide and enjoy a cheap way to get extra plants.
On this page:
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1. Benefits for you
2. Introduction
3. What you need
4. Step-by-step guide
5. What next
Benefits for you
- Enjoy the sense of wonder and awe that a plant can be grown from a leaf
- This is a light task, with no heavy physical work involved. It helps develops fine motor skills (small hand and wrist movements) and coordination
- You can produce a lot of plants cheaply - you could gift some to others, as a great way to connect through gardening
Introduction
A snake plant in a pot on top of a wall
There are lots of different ways to propagate plants (grow new plants from existing ones). This includes by sowing seeds, taking cuttings - including leaf cuttings - and growing from offsets.
How do leaf cuttings work
Leaf cuttings are another example of nature's miracle. For a select number of plants, when you cut and care for the leaves, they can produce stems and roots, resulting in a new plant.
What plants are suitable for leaf cuttings
Leaf cutting only works for a limited number of plants. These are mainly houseplants. Some suitable houseplants for leaf cuttings are:
- African violets
- Aloe vera
- Money plant
- Peperomia
- Snake plant / mother-in-law's tongue
- Some succulents (jade plant, kalanchoe)
Whole leaf cuttings vs partial leaf cuttings
With some plants, you can take leaf cuttings by chopping a leaf into pieces. In this guide we are just looking at taking whole leaf cuttings
What you need
- A suitable plant (see above)
- Seed and cuttings compost (if unavailable, use multi-purpose compost mixed with perlite or sharp sand)
- Pots with drainage holes
- Small knife
- Plant labels and pens
- Plastic bag
Optional tools
- Chopping board
Tools to make it easier
- Compost tidy tray / large washing up bowl
- Modular seed tray
Step-by-step guide
Follow these steps to take your leaf cuttings with ease.
Step 1: Gather what you need
Gather all you need to do this activity and find a comfortable spot to work. A table inside is ideal.
Make it easier
Make sure your working area is at a comfortable height, especially if you have difficulty bending. Make sure it鈥檚 easy to reach everything you need.
A compost tidy tray or large washing up bowl is very helpful to keep all mess contained.
Step 2: Fill pots with compost
A pot filled with compost ready for a leaf cutting
Fill your small pots with compost almost to the top. If you are using a multi-purpose compost and perlite combination, first mix these together. You want roughly equal amounts of each.
Make it easier
You may find a modular seed tray easier to use than individual pots. You can then place one leaf cutting per module.
Step 3: Take your leaf cuttings
A row of leaf cuttings
Select and cut whole leaves from your selected plant. You want to choose leaves that are young, fully grown and healthy. A small clean, sharp knife is ideal to make a good cut.
Top tip
If you are taking leaf cuttings from succulents, pause at this stage. Pop your leaf cuttings on a board and leave them for one or two days. In this time, they will grow a callous over the cut part. This is a bit like a scab over an injury. It will help prevent the plant drawing water into the leaf cutting and rotting.
Step 5: Place your leaf cuttings into pots
Leaf cuttings in a pot
Insert your leaf cuttings into the compost. You should be able to just gently push them in. The leaves should remain the same direction as they were on the plant, so the cut part goes into the compost. Place the cuttings just deep enough that they will stay in place.
Depending on the size of pot you are using, you may have one cutting per pot, or you could have several cuttings in one pot.
Step 6: Add labels
Write the plant name and date the cuttings were taken, so you can see how long the new plants take to develop.
Step 7: Water if needed
With leaf cuttings, you want compost to be moist but not too wet. Leaves can rot in wet compost. Water lightly if needed.
Step 8: Put in place
Place your leaf cuttings in a light, warm spot - like a sunny windowsill. For them to reach the ideal temperature for plantlets (baby plants) to develop, you may want to place a plastic bag over your cuttings.
What next
If you have a plastic bag around your cuttings, remove it and air them regularly. Check if they need any more water. Remember, you don't want to the compost to be too wet.
In time, you can hope to see plantlets developing at the base of the leaf.
Related content
Propagating succulents with offsets
Propagating succulents is a satisfying and low-cost way to get more plants. Here, we look at propagating with offsets.
Caring for houseplants
How to take softwood cuttings
Guide to pruning