Rooting Tropical Cuttings (Bird of Paradise, Plumeria, Desert Rose) in Central IL

All Need Warmth, Moisture & Time—Central IL Winter Requires Indoor Propagation

Plumeria (Lei Flowers) – Easiest

• 6–8″ cuttings; stick in warm, moist perlite/peat.
• Roots in 4–8 weeks.

Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

• 6″ woody cuttings; dip in rooting hormone; warm wet sand.
• Bottom heat essential (75–85°F).
• 8+ weeks for roots.

Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)

• Best from **seed** (ask sister-in-law).
• Cuttings: 6″, hormone, warm wet sand, 8 weeks—hit or miss.

General Protocol

1. Mist cuttings 2×/day.
2. Keep medium warm & moist.
3. Once rooted: pot up, dilute 12-12-12 feed, good drainage.
4. Summer: 10 days shade outdoors, then full sun.

Cuttings may not be fresh—success is variable. Seed is best for Bird of Paradise.