Gardening Houseplants Caring for Houseplants How to Propagate Philodendron It's as simple as snipping a few stems to root. In almost no time, you'll have new plants to expand your collection or share with friends. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 1, 2023 Reviewed by Joseph Tychonievich Reviewed by Joseph Tychonievich Joseph Tychonievich is a gardening expert with two decades of work in horticulture, the author of three gardening books, and known for his deep knowledge of the science behind techniques for successful gardening. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board Share Tweet Pin Email Philodendron is easy to care for—it will tolerate dim indoor light and can bounce back well after you forget to water it for a while; bright, indirect light and regular water are preferable. Its thin stems can reach impressive lengths if you let them (they've been known to wrap entirely around a room). And all along its stems, this philodendron will produce cute little heart-shaped leaves with a glossy sheen to enjoy if you keep them dusted. Also, anyone can learn how to propagate philodendron plants from simple stem cuttings to add more greenery to your home or share with others. Phoebe Cheong / BHG How to Propagate Philodendron by Stem Cuttings You can root philodendron stem cuttings in a small container of potting soil or a cup of water. To make a cutting, use a clean, sharp knife or garden snips ($15, The Home Depot) to remove a piece of stem about 3 to 6 inches long. It's best to cut just above another leaf on the stem. This allows the rest of your plant to neatly produce more shoots and leaves from that point, and your cut stem will also have plenty of room for forming new roots. Phoebe Cheong / BHG Next, snip or gently break off all of the leaves from the cutting except the top three or four. Put the bare stem into the cup of water or moist potting soil, and firm the soil around the stem to hold it in place. Make sure that none of the leaves are buried or submerged. If they are, perch the cutting a little higher or remove another leaf. Place your container in bright, indirect sunlight near a window and keep the soil moist or the cup of water topped up. What's the Difference Between Monstera and Split-Leaf Philodendron? Roots will appear in two or three weeks, followed by new leaves. In water, the roots will be easy to see. It's possible to grow trailing philodendron in just water indefinitely, but the plants won't reach their full size. If you'd prefer to pot your rooted cutting, wait until the roots are about an inch long before moving the cutting into a 3-4 inch-wide container filled with fresh potting soil. Keep your newly potted philodendron well-watered to help it adapt to its new home. When rooting philodendron cuttings in potting soil ($13, Walmart), after a couple of weeks, give the stem a gentle tug; if you feel resistance, you'll know that roots have formed. If not, let it be for another week, making sure to keep the soil moist. If your mother plant is large enough, take three to five cuttings at once and let them all root in the same container. Then when you plant them, you'll have a pot that looks full and lush without waiting for just a single cutting to branch out. How to Decorate with Indoor Plants to Add Fresh Energy to Your Space Frequently Asked Questions When's the best time to propagate my trailing philodendron? Trailing philodendron can be propagated nearly any time of year, except for winter which is when the roots will grow exceptionally slow. In addition to making sure you propagate the plant in spring, summer, or fall, you should also be sure to choose cuttings from a mother plant that is well established and at least a year old. When should I repot my trailing philodendron? In general, you should repot your trailing philodendron every two years, or when you notice the root system is getting bound up or coming out of the base of the planter. The best time of year to repot the plat is during late spring or early summer, when it will be subjected to the least environmental stressors. How often should I trim my trailing philodendron? Trailing philodendron can be trimmed any time of year—or not at all, depending on how large you'd like your specimen to grow. Feel free to remove any yellowing or browning leaves as you see them. You can also do larger pruning once a year in spring, but you should never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit