Multiply Indoor Plants by Division: Easy Propagation for Houseplants

The fastest, most economical way to produce new houseplants is division. Works well with common indoor plants that multiply by offsets—small plants forming along the parent's sides, connected by a single, easily severed root.

Replant offsets in smaller pots for display or gifts. Or host a potting party to make dozens for fundraisers. One gardener got 14 new Spathiphyllum plants from a single 6-inch pot ($6.95).

After potting, keep soil consistently moist, give bright indirect light, no direct sun. Don't fertilize for at least six months.

Directions

1. Night before: soak parent plant by placing pot in sink/bucket of water to just below rim.
2. Spread newspaper/plastic. Remove plant from nursery pot.
3. Gently shake excess soil to see natural divisions between offsets.
4. Pry parent apart into individual divisions, breaking as few roots as possible.
5. Immediately replant divisions in 4″+ pots with fresh potting mix.
6. Water thoroughly; keep soil evenly moist (not soggy) until new roots form.

Good Candidates (tolerate low light, low care)

• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis')
• Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior and 'Variegata')
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
• Haworthia attenuata and H. fasciata
• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
• Spathiphyllum ('Clevelandii', 'Mauna Loa', 'Sensation')
• Western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum)