A sortable quick-reference database for selecting and troubleshooting propagation methods across common indoor plants.

đź’ˇ Quick Reference

Data compiled from and expanded on this guide: propagating a dragon tree from stem cuttings.

Recommended Notion Database Properties

Create a Notion Table – Full Page database with these properties:

Property Notion Type Purpose
Plant Title Common plant name
Botanical Name Text Scientific identification
Plant Group Select Vine, cane plant, succulent, rosette, shrub or other group
Primary Method Select Stem cutting, leaf cutting, division, plantlet, rhizome or tuber
Alternate Method Multi-select Other workable propagation methods
Required Plant Part Text Exact material needed
Node Required Checkbox Whether the cutting must contain a node
Best Medium Select Water, soil, perlite, sphagnum or mixed options
Typical Rooting Time Text Approximate household range
Rooting Speed Select Fast, moderate or slow
Best Season Select Spring, summer, active growth or year-round indoors
Light During Rooting Select Bright indirect, medium indirect or filtered light
Temperature Text Useful rooting range
Humidity Need Select Low, moderate or high
Difficulty Select Easy, moderate or advanced
Ready to Pot When Text Transplant indicator
Main Failure Risk Text Most common propagation problem
Notes Text Plant-specific instructions

Propagation Comparison Database

Plant Botanical Name Plant Group Primary Method Alternate Method Required Plant Part Node Required Best Medium Typical Rooting Time Rooting Speed Best Season Light During Rooting Temperature Humidity Difficulty Ready to Pot When Main Failure Risk
Dragon Tree Dracaena marginata Cane plant Stem cutting Top cutting; cane section Healthy 4–8 in stem section containing at least one node Yes Water or well-draining soil 4–8 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 65–80°F / 18–27°C Moderate Easy–moderate Roots are several inches long and new growth is visible Rot from saturated soil or stale water
Pothos Epipremnum aureum Vine Stem cutting Layering Stem section with one or more leaves and a visible node Yes Water, soil or perlite 1–3 weeks Fast Active growth Bright indirect 68–80°F / 20–27°C Moderate Easy Several branching roots reach about 2–3 in Submerging leaves or using a node-free cutting
Heartleaf Philodendron Philodendron hederaceum Vine Stem cutting Layering Stem with at least one healthy node Yes Water, soil or sphagnum 2–4 weeks Fast Spring–summer Bright indirect 68–80°F / 20–27°C Moderate Easy Multiple roots reach approximately 2–3 in Burying leaves or keeping the medium waterlogged
Monstera Monstera deliciosa Climbing aroid Stem cutting Air layering Stem section containing a node; aerial root is helpful Yes Water, sphagnum, perlite or chunky soil 3–8 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 70–85°F / 21–29°C Moderate–high Moderate Roots branch and reach roughly 3–4 in Attempting to propagate a leaf without a node
Syngonium Syngonium podophyllum Vine Stem cutting Division Stem section with one or more nodes Yes Water, soil or perlite 2–4 weeks Fast Active growth Bright indirect 68–82°F / 20–28°C Moderate Easy Several roots reach 2–3 in Cold conditions or submerged foliage
Tradescantia Tradescantia zebrina Trailing plant Stem cutting Direct planting Tip or mid-stem cutting with nodes Yes Water or moist potting mix 1–2 weeks Fast Spring–summer; often year-round indoors Bright indirect 65–80°F / 18–27°C Low–moderate Easy Roots reach 1–2 in or the cutting resists a gentle tug Allowing thin stems to dry completely
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum Rosette Plantlet Division Aerial plantlet, preferably with root nubs No Water or potting mix 1–3 weeks Fast Spring–summer Bright indirect 65–80°F / 18–27°C Moderate Easy Plantlet has several roots at least 1–2 in long Removing an immature plantlet too early
Snake Plant Dracaena trifasciata Rhizomatous succulent Division Leaf section Rhizome division or firm leaf segment No Gritty soil; water is possible for leaf sections 4–10 weeks Slow Spring–summer Bright or medium indirect 70–85°F / 21–29°C Low Easy–moderate New roots or a new pup appears Planting leaf sections upside down or keeping them wet
ZZ Plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia Rhizomatous plant Division Leaf or stem cutting Rhizome section, entire leaflet or stalk No Soil, perlite or water 4–16+ weeks Slow Warm active-growth period Bright indirect 70–85°F / 21–29°C Low–moderate Moderate A small rhizome and roots have formed Discarding the cutting before its slow rhizome develops
Rubber Plant Ficus elastica Woody shrub Stem cutting Air layering Growing tip or stem section containing a node Yes Soil, perlite or sphagnum 4–8 weeks Slow–moderate Late spring–summer Bright indirect 70–80°F / 21–27°C High Moderate Roots fill part of the propagation container Low humidity, oversized cuttings or excess sap contamination
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Ficus lyrata Woody tree Stem cutting Air layering Stem cutting with a node and one or two leaves Yes Water, soil or perlite 4–10 weeks Slow Spring–summer Bright indirect 70–80°F / 21–27°C High Moderate–advanced Roots are established and new leaf growth begins Trying to produce a full plant from a detached leaf alone
Jade Plant Crassula ovata Succulent Stem cutting Leaf cutting Healthy stem or complete undamaged leaf No Dry, gritty succulent mix 2–6 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright filtered light 65–80°F / 18–27°C Low Easy Cutting anchors itself and new growth appears Planting before the cut surface calluses or watering too soon
Peperomia Peperomia obtusifolia Semi-succulent Stem cutting Leaf cutting; division Stem with node or complete healthy leaf with petiole Depends on method Soil, perlite or water 3–8 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 68–80°F / 20–27°C Moderate–high Easy–moderate New roots and plantlets develop High moisture without airflow
African Violet Streptocarpus ionanthus Rosette Leaf cutting Division of crowns Healthy mature leaf with 1–2 in petiole No Light soil or perlite mix 4–8 weeks for roots; longer for plantlets Moderate–slow Active growth Bright indirect 70–78°F / 21–26°C High Moderate Plantlets have several leaves and separate roots Wetting the crown or using heavy soil
Rex Begonia Begonia rex-cultorum Rhizomatous foliage plant Leaf cutting Rhizome division Whole leaf, leaf wedge or veined leaf section No Moist mix, perlite or sphagnum 4–8 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 70–80°F / 21–27°C High Moderate New plantlets form at cut veins or leaf bases Fungal rot caused by stagnant, overly humid conditions
Hoya Hoya carnosa Climbing vine Stem cutting Layering Stem section with at least one node and leaves Yes Perlite, sphagnum, water or airy soil 3–8 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 70–85°F / 21–29°C Moderate–high Moderate Roots branch through the medium and growth resumes Confusing a leaf-only “zombie leaf” with a viable stem cutting
String of Hearts Ceropegia woodii Trailing tuberous vine Stem cutting Butterfly method; tuber division; layering Node-bearing vine section or aerial tuber Yes for vine cuttings Water, soil or sphagnum 2–6 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 68–80°F / 20–27°C Moderate Easy–moderate Roots and new vine growth appear Burying too deeply or letting fine cuttings dehydrate
English Ivy Hedera helix Vine Stem cutting Layering Soft stem tip with several nodes Yes Water or moist soil 2–6 weeks Moderate Spring–early summer Bright indirect 60–75°F / 16–24°C Moderate Easy Roots reach approximately 2 in and growth resumes Warm stagnant air, mites or rotting submerged leaves
Coleus Plectranthus scutellarioides Soft-stem foliage plant Stem cutting Seed Non-flowering tip cutting with nodes Yes Water or potting mix 1–2 weeks Fast Spring–summer; year-round in warmth Bright indirect 65–80°F / 18–27°C Moderate Easy Dense roots reach 1–2 in Leaving flowers on the cutting or allowing it to wilt
Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeura Rhizomatous plant Division Stem cutting Rooted clump or stem section below a node Yes for stem cutting Water, soil or sphagnum 3–6 weeks Moderate Spring–summer Medium to bright indirect 70–80°F / 21–27°C High Moderate Several roots form and leaves remain firm Low humidity or placing the cutting in direct sun
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum spp. Clumping plant Division None routinely recommended Rooted crown section with leaves and roots attached No Moist, well-draining soil Immediate establishment; 2–4 weeks recovery Moderate Spring–early summer Medium to bright indirect 68–82°F / 20–28°C Moderate–high Easy Division remains upright and produces fresh growth Dividing into sections without sufficient roots
Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata Fern Division Runner plantlets Rooted crown section or rooted runner No Moist, airy potting mix 2–6 weeks establishment Moderate Spring Medium to bright indirect 65–75°F / 18–24°C High Moderate New fronds emerge without wilting Dry air or allowing the root ball to dry out
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis Succulent Offset division Seed Rooted pup or offset No Gritty cactus or succulent mix 2–4 weeks establishment Moderate Spring–summer Bright filtered light 65–85°F / 18–29°C Low Easy Pup is anchored and begins producing new leaves Attempting unreliable leaf propagation or overwatering
Chinese Money Plant Pilea peperomioides Rosette Offset division Stem cutting Basal pup, stem pup or top cutting No for rooted pups Water or light potting mix 2–4 weeks Fast–moderate Spring–summer Bright indirect 65–80°F / 18–27°C Moderate Easy Several roots reach about 1–2 in Removing very small pups before they can recover

Suggested Notion Views

1. Beginner-Friendly Propagation

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Useful entries include pothos, heartleaf philodendron, tradescantia, spider plant, coleus, Chinese money plant and aloe vera.

2. Water Propagation

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