Last Month's Opportunity to Propagate 7 Houseplants: A Straightforward Technique That Doubles Your Greenery Instantly
September offers a unique opportunity for plant enthusiasts to expand their collection without breaking the bank. This month, temperatures are still mild, and plants haven't yet entered dormancy, making it the perfect time to propagate plants through division.
Dividing a plant involves separating it into smaller sections, each with its own root system. This method is particularly effective for many indoor plants, including monstera, pothos, snake plants, and spider plants.
To divide a monstera, for instance, remove it from its pot, wash away soil from its roots, look for natural separations in the root ball, and tease the roots apart or use a garden knife to cut and separate clumps. Ensure each section has multiple healthy stems before potting them up in a DIY monstera potting mix.
Similarly, a succulent and cactus potting mix can be used to pot up snake plant sections, while a pothos section can be potted in a DIY pothos potting mix or a commercially available pothos potting mix.
Spider plants can be propagated at nearly any point in the year, but September is an excellent time due to the moderate indoor climate transitioning from summer. This timing promotes healthy root development before the colder months, ensuring your new spider plants are well-established for the winter.
Spider plants become pot-bound quickly and may need a garden knife to separate the roots. During division, aim for each new section to have its own robust root system and at least three leaves. Pruning shears may be needed to make clean cuts on the thick leaves of snake plants.
Pothos can be propagated by division at any point of the year, but the active growing season is ideal. When dividing a pothos, look for natural separations and gently untangle and pull apart the roots. A plant heat mat can be used to provide extra warmth while pothos plants establish.
Dividing a peace lily requires removing it from its pot, cleaning away soil, and gently teasing apart the root ball until you have new sections. September is an ideal month for this task, as temperatures are still mild, and the plant's growth is slowing down.
Blue star fern is another houseplant that can be easily propagated by division in fall and winter. Dividing blue star fern requires removing the plant from its pot, cleaning its roots and rhizomes of soil, making cuts at natural separations between the rhizomes, pruning damaged roots, and repotting each new section in well-draining houseplant soil.
Dividing a snake plant, a low-maintenance indoor plant that can grow a couple of meters tall, follows a similar process. To propagate a snake plant by division, it should be removed from its pot, the soil cleared, and the roots separated.
Propagating houseplants by division is a task to be done before the coldest temperatures settle in. Not only does it allow your plants to establish ahead of the gift-giving season, but it can also result in a boost of growth and more spiderettes for spider plants.
Moreover, dividing a peace lily can be an excellent way to revive a droopy peace lily if it has become overcrowded by its luscious foliage. Watering a peace lily well the day before division can make the roots softer and easier to work with.
However, it is not wise to fertilize houseplants after dividing them, as it may cause stress and problems like wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth. Wait until a houseplant has established and until the active growth season (spring and summer) to feed your plants.
Lastly, September is an ideal month for dividing a non-flowering peace lily and monstera deliciosa, as they are still actively growing and dividing them at this time will not disrupt their health. An areca palm can create canopies in a home as it grows taller, but dividing an areca palm can impact its ability to perform its best, including damage to its fronds.
In conclusion, September is a golden opportunity for plant enthusiasts to expand their collection and take advantage of the moderate indoor climate to propagate their plants through division. With a little patience and care, you can easily multiply your favourite houseplants and create a lush indoor oasis.
