Root a leafy stem cutting directly in a growing medium

This guide covers soft, leafy stem cuttings of suitable houseplants, such as climbing philodendrons. Choose a healthy shoot from a plant in active growth.

Cacti, succulents, woody shoots and leaf cuttings need different approaches. If you have not chosen a method yet, start with the propagation overview.

Already rooted in water? Follow the guide to potting water-rooted cuttings.

You need sharp, clean scissors or a knife, a small clean pot with drainage holes and fresh, clean rooting medium.

Many easily rooted houseplants do not need rooting hormone. Use it only when appropriate for the plant, following the product instructions.

The medium needs to hold moisture while leaving air around developing roots. Ordinary potting mix alone can be too dense. Moisten a suitable airy propagation mix evenly before inserting the cutting; it should not be dripping wet.

Fill the pot loosely and let excess water drain away. Our potting mix guide explains what different ingredients contribute.

Find the nodes: the points where leaves or buds join the stem. Take a short shoot with at least two nodes. Remove the lower leaves and any flowers, keeping a few healthy leaves at the top.

Make a planting hole with a clean pencil. Insert the lower end with at least one node in the medium and no leaves buried. Gently firm the medium around it.

Put the cutting in a bright spot out of direct sun. Keep the medium moist rather than soggy: check before adding water and let excess drain away.

Humidity around the leaves and moisture in the pot are separate things. Extra water in the pot does not replace suitable humidity.

For these soft, leafy cuttings, a clear bag or cover can reduce water loss. Support the cover clear of leaves. Allow air exchange under the cover. Open it further if the enclosure becomes excessively wet.

New leaves can suggest progress. Do not judge by them alone: when needed, carefully lift a cutting with its surrounding medium using a plant label and look for several developed roots.

Once the cutting is well rooted, gradually increase ventilation under the cover. This lets the soft leaves adjust to less humid air rather than losing their cover permanently all at once. Remove dead or rotting material when you notice it.

The next step is a small individual pot with a mix suited to the plant. Follow our repotting guide for handling the move. Keep the young cutting protected from direct sun at first.