What Are Prop Drops and How Do You Use Them?

Prop drops are a liquid product formulated to assist plant cuttings in developing roots. These solutions simplify the process of plant propagation—the method of creating new plants from existing ones—making it more accessible for both new and experienced gardeners.

What Are Prop Drops

Prop drops are a liquid rooting hormone solution. The primary active ingredient is a synthetic auxin, a class of plant hormones that regulate growth. Many commercial prop drops use Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), a hormone used to stimulate root formation.

This compound is absorbed by the plant cutting and signals the cells to begin differentiating into roots. When a cutting is placed in a solution containing IBA, the hormone encourages the development of adventitious roots, which are roots that form from non-root tissue, like a stem or leaf.

Some formulations also include vitamins to support the new plant’s vigor.

How to Use Prop Drops for Propagation

To use prop drops, start by preparing a healthy cutting from a mother plant. This involves making a clean cut on a stem that includes at least one node—the part of the stem where leaves and roots emerge.

Next, add the prop drops to water, following the manufacturer’s specific dosage instructions. A common recommendation is to add five to six drops into the water. After adding the drops, place the plant cutting directly into the prepared water, ensuring the node is submerged.

The water should be changed every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated. You should add a new dose of prop drops each time to maintain the hormone’s presence.

Effectiveness and Common Alternatives

While prop drops can be effective, they are not a guarantee of success. Their primary function is to accelerate root development and increase the propagation success rate. The outcome depends on the plant species, the health of the cutting, and environmental factors like light, temperature, and humidity.

For many common houseplants, these drops speed up a process that would have occurred naturally. It is also important to recognize that many species, such as Pothos and Tradescantia, root readily in plain water without any additives. Several alternatives exist for encouraging root growth:

• Rooting powder, where the cutting’s end is dipped into a hormone powder before planting.
• Rooting gels, which provide a coating of hormones that adheres to the cutting.
• Natural options like honey, which has antifungal properties.
• Homemade willow water, which contains natural rooting hormones.

Making Your Own DIY Propagation Booster

For a more hands-on approach, a DIY propagation booster can be made at home. A well-known homemade rooting stimulant is willow water, as willow trees contain high levels of salicylic acid and indolebutyric acid (IBA). Salicylic acid helps protect the cutting from bacteria, and IBA is the same hormone found in many commercial products.

To make willow water, gather young twigs from a willow tree and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a jar, pour boiling water over them, and allow them to steep for 24 to 48 hours. After steeping, strain the liquid to remove the woody material.

This “tea” can be used for propagating cuttings. While cost-effective, the potency of homemade willow water is inconsistent and it has a shorter shelf life than manufactured products.