Tired of not being able to grow your own plants? You may feel like you're just not meant to be a plant parent, but the fix may be as simple as choosing the right plants. Plants have a natural instinct to grow and propagate, so you may just need a little bit of guidance.
To help you get started on your gardening journey, here is a list of ten plants that are incredibly easy to propagate and grow.
Swiss Cheese Plant
One plant that deserves admiration is the Swiss Cheese Plant. Its heart-shaped leaves are adorned with fenestrations or gaps, resembling the holes in Swiss cheese. In the wild, it can reach heights of six to eight feet, but when grown indoors, it typically stays under a foot tall.
Propagating the Swiss Cheese Plant is a simple process. Cut one of the stems and root it either in water or a suitable growing medium. If using a growing medium, it's recommended to use rooting hormone. It takes about a week for the roots to develop. Once the roots are established, transfer the Monstera adansonii to a pot with peat-based potting soil and place it in a sunny spot.
Chinese Money Plant
Another unforgettable plant is the Chinese Money Plant, also known as the UFO plant or Pilea peperomioides. This plant features round leaves that resemble coins, reminiscent of Chinese money. According to folklore, it is believed that giving this plant as a gift brings prosperity to the recipient.
The remarkable thing about the Chinese Money Plant is that it grows itself effortlessly. It produces secondary stems, known as pups, from the main stem. Once the pup has a few leaves, carefully snip it from the parent plant. Place the plantlet in water for about a week until roots start to grow. Find a bright spot with indirect sunlight for the new plant, as direct sunlight can scorch its leaves.
Succulents
Succulents are renowned for their resilience and are often considered impossible to kill. One intriguing succulent is the String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), which derives its name from its appearance. It features many stems with small green pearls or round succulent leaves cascading from them.
Propagating succulents, including the String of Pearls, couldn't be easier. Simply break off a piece of the stem and place it in water or well-drained soil. Most succulents can be propagated using this method. The String of Pearls thrives in direct sunlight.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant, scientifically known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, has earned a reputation as one of the most indestructible plants. Its leaves resemble the letter "Z," growing up and down its stems. This plant thrives in indirect sunlight and can even flourish under the fluorescent lights of an office.
Remarkably, the ZZ Plant can be propagated from a single leaf. Typically, it is propagated by cutting a stem and placing it in water until it develops roots. Once rooted, transfer it to well-draining soil.
Mother of Thousands
The Mother of Thousands (Bryophyllum daigremontianum) gets its name from its unique method of propagation. Tiny plants develop along the edges of its leaves, creating a distinctive curly appearance.
Each of these little curls is essentially a miniature plant that will eventually grow independently. In the wild, this plant can be invasive as the plantlets drop off and propagate, taking over a space.
Aloe Vera Plant
No indoor garden is complete without an Aloe Vera plant (Aloe barbadensis miller). Apart from its healing properties, this plant is incredibly easy to propagate because it does it on its own. Over time, the plant will fill out its pot entirely. To propagate, remove the new pups from the bottom of the plant and repot them separately. The mother plant will continue to produce more pups.
Calatheas
Calatheas are excellent plants for low-light environments and thrive indoors. One notable variety is Calathea makoyana, also known as the Prayer Plant due to its habit of folding its leaves upward at night.
As the Calathea grows, notches will appear on its stems, from which new leaves will emerge. This is the ideal time to cut and root a new plant. You can root the cutting in either water or soil.
Spider Plants
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) may resemble variegated grass, but their propagation method is what truly reflects their name. They produce new plants, known as spiderettes, on stems that extend from the center of the plant. Each spiderette can be cut off and planted separately.
The Money Tree
The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is another plant that is both easy to propagate and grow. As the name implies, it is believed to bring financial luck to its owners. You can reproduce this plant by rooting a cutting in water or soil. While propagating in soil results in a stronger plant, water propagation is quicker and easier.
Anthurium
Anthurium is a plant with unique leaves that resemble red flowers, and although it has the same botanical name, there are hundreds of Anthurium varieties available in various colors.
Anthurium propagates in clusters, similar to the Aloe plant. When the pot becomes crowded, it's time to separate the clusters into individual plants and plant them separately.
Growing Indoors
Understanding the key to successful indoor gardening lies in selecting the right plants and understanding their propagation methods. By propagating your plants, you can extend their lifespan and enjoy an abundant indoor garden. Soon enough, you'll proudly claim to have a green thumb!
