How to Propagate Inch Plant in Water and Soil
Expand your inch plant collection with a few simple steps. This guide shares reliable techniques for turning a single Tradescantia into many healthy new plants.
The inch plant, Tradescantia zebrina, is a popular houseplant known for its vibrant, striped foliage and rapid growth. Its reputation for being easy to care for extends to its propagation, making it an excellent choice for new plant creators. The process is straightforward and offers a quick way to multiply your collection or share with others with minimal effort.
Preparing for Propagation
The best time to take cuttings from an inch plant is during its active growing season in spring and summer. During this period, the plant has higher levels of growth hormones that encourage new roots to form more quickly. Before you start, gather clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, a glass for water, a small pot with drainage holes, and a well-draining potting mix. Sterilizing your cutting tool with rubbing alcohol helps prevent disease transfer to the mother plant or the cutting.
To prepare a cutting, look for a healthy stem and cut a section four to six inches long. Make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node, the small bump on the stem where leaves emerge and new roots will sprout. After you have your cutting, gently remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem to prevent them from rotting.
How to Propagate in Water
Water propagation is a popular method because it allows you to watch the roots as they develop. Place your prepared cutting into a glass or jar of water. Make sure the bare nodes on the stem are fully submerged, but keep the remaining leaves above the water’s surface to prevent them from decaying.
Place the container in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can be too intense for the cutting. To prevent bacterial growth, it is important to keep the water fresh by changing it every few days. You should see small white roots emerge from the submerged nodes within one to two weeks. The cutting is ready to be moved to soil once it has a healthy network of roots about one to two inches long.
How to Propagate in Soil
Propagating directly in soil is another effective method. Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix and water it lightly so it is moist but not waterlogged. Using your finger or a small stick, make a hole in the soil and gently insert the bare stem of your cutting. Ensure at least one or two leaf nodes are buried beneath the surface where they can develop roots.
To create an ideal environment for rooting, you can increase the humidity by placing a clear plastic bag over the pot. This creates a mini-greenhouse effect, trapping moisture and warmth to encourage faster root development. Position the pot in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist. After a couple of weeks, check for roots by giving the cutting a gentle tug. Resistance or the appearance of new leaves are signs that a root system has developed.
Caring for New Inch Plants
If you propagated in water, carefully transplant the cutting into a pot with fresh potting soil once the roots are one to two inches long. For both water- and soil-propagated cuttings, it is beneficial to plant several cuttings together in one pot to create a fuller, bushier plant from the start.
For the first few weeks, your new inch plant will require some extra attention. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, allowing the top layer to dry out slightly between waterings. Continue to provide plenty of bright, indirect light to fuel healthy growth. You can then care for it as a mature inch plant, watering it when the soil feels dry.