Start with the plant you have and the part it can grow from. A rooted leaf is not always a new plant. Choose a suitable method below, then follow the advice in the plant guide.
Choose healthy material, clean tools and a small, clean container. A rooting mix needs air as well as moisture. Timing varies with the plant and conditions; inspect progress rather than expecting roots on a promised date.
Do not give every cutting the same treatment. Many leafy cuttings need lightly moist mix, while fresh succulent cuts may need time to dry and seal. Keep developing plants out of harsh sun and check the relevant guide before watering.
For the vining aroids below, include a node: the point where a leaf or root joins the stem. A leaf stalk alone is not enough. Water rooting and rooting in a suitable mix are both possible for some plants, but the cutting and aftercare must suit the species.
Some plants can form new growth from a leaf or leaflet. The method is species-specific: an African violet leaf with its stalk is not handled like an Echeveria leaf or a ZZ leaflet.
Separate an established clump into sections with their own roots and growing points. Keep enough healthy growth on each piece, and choose pots that fit the divisions. Follow the plant's guide for care after separation.
Aloe pups grow beside the parent; spider plant babies develop on trailing runners. Look for a small plant with its own growing center and roots. Their watering needs differ, so follow the appropriate guide after separation.
A Phalaenopsis sometimes produces a plantlet with leaves and roots on a flower spike. Not every orchid does this. Wait for a sufficiently developed plantlet before separating it, and check the orchid guide for the right stage and potting medium.
For a true lily (Lilium), separate naturally distinct healthy bulbs from an established clump after its foliage has died back. Replant promptly at a depth suited to the lily type; exposed bulbs dry out easily. Small daughter bulbs need time to reach flowering size.
This differs from dividing a Peace Lily, which is Spathiphyllum. Keep true lily bulbs and all other plant material away from cats; see the cat safety guidance.
The field guide now includes eighteen plant guides — browse the full list.
Reference material consulted for this independently written guide. The publishers listed have not reviewed or endorsed it.