How to Propagate Spiderwort From Cuttings
Expand your houseplant collection by turning one spiderwort plant into many. This guide provides the fundamental techniques for successfully rooting cuttings.
Spiderwort, or Tradescantia, is a popular houseplant known for its fast-growing, vining stems. Its robust nature makes it an excellent candidate for propagation, the process of creating new plants from an existing one. This is a simple way to multiply your collection at no cost, and its rapid growth allows you to quickly generate new plants to expand your indoor garden.
Preparing to Propagate Spiderwort
The ideal time to take spiderwort cuttings is during the plant’s active growing period in spring and summer. The plant has more growth hormones during these seasons, which leads to quicker root development. Propagating during this time increases the likelihood of the cuttings successfully establishing themselves.
Before you begin, gather a few simple tools: a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears, a small glass for water, and a pot with fresh potting mix for soil propagation. Using clean tools is important to prevent transferring bacteria to the parent plant and the cutting. Disinfect your scissors with hot water or rubbing alcohol before you start.
How to Propagate Spiderwort From Cuttings
The first step is to take a healthy cutting from a mature parent plant. Select a robust stem and cut a four- to six-inch section just below a leaf node, which is the small bump on the stem where leaves emerge. New roots will form from these nodes, so your cutting must include at least one. After taking the cutting, snip off the leaves from the lower half of the stem.
For water propagation, place the cutting into a glass jar filled with room-temperature water. Make sure the bare nodes are submerged while the remaining leaves stay above the waterline to prevent rot. Place the jar in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Roots should appear within one to two weeks; change the water every few days to keep it fresh.
Alternatively, you can plant the cutting directly into soil. Prepare a small pot with a well-draining potting mix and make a hole for the cutting. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can encourage faster root development, but this step is optional. Insert the cutting so the nodes are buried, and gently press the soil around the stem to secure it. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Caring for Your New Spiderwort Plant
Once cuttings in water have developed roots about one to two inches long, they are ready for soil. Prepare a small pot with a quality, well-draining houseplant compost. Planting several cuttings together in one pot is a good way to create a fuller, bushier plant from the start.
Carefully remove the rooted cuttings from the water, taking care not to damage the delicate new roots. Plant them in the prepared pot, gently tucking the roots into the soil, and water thoroughly. For all new cuttings, place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect light, as direct sun can scorch the young plant.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to help the new root system establish itself. Check the top inch of soil to determine when to water. Spiderworts also appreciate higher humidity, so placing them in a kitchen or bathroom or misting the leaves can be beneficial, especially if you notice the leaf tips turning brown.