How Long Does It Take to Root Philodendrons?

Timing

• Philodendrons grow most vigorously during the spring and summer months when the days are long and the weather is warm. Cuttings started early in the growing season will produce roots fastest, and they will have a longer length of time to establish a productive root system before cooler weather sets in and slows their growth.

Equipment and Preparation

• Only a modest amount of equipment is required to successfully start philodendron cuttings, including a clean plastic pot, unused potting soil, a misting bottle, utility knife and a large plastic bag to use as a mini-greenhouse. Rooting hormone can also be used, although it is not an absolute necessity for houseplant propagation. In cooler areas where indoor temperatures stay below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a propagation mat can be used to warm the pot to around 80 degrees.

Cutting Type and Selection

• Philodendrons root best from single-eye cuttings due to the alternate leaf pattern along their stems. Locate a fleshy, vigorous stem with relatively small leaves and sever it at the base with the utility knife. Clean the utility knife thoroughly before using it to remove any bacteria or fungi from the blade. Cut the stem into 1- to 1-1/2-inch-long sections, each with a single leaf. Make each cut equidistant from the leaf; for instance, sever it 1/2 inch above and 1/2 inch below the leaf for a 1-inch-long cutting. Collect at least six cuttings to start in each pot to produce a fuller-looking plant faster.

Potting

• Single-eye cuttings require a slightly different potting method than standard stem cuttings, but are just as simple to do. Dust the stem portion of each cutting with rooting hormone talc, if desired. Dig a circular planting trench around the outer edge of the soil in the pot, roughly 1 inch in from the edge. The cuttings require room to produce roots, so space them roughly 2 inches apart in the trench. Lay the stem portion of the cutting horizontally in the hole with the leaf pointing up. The top surface of the stem should be just below the soil surface. Cover the stem with soil, gently tamp it and water it to a 2-inch depth.

Rooting Process

• High humidity, filtered light and warm temperatures are required to successfully root philodendron cuttings. The pot should be positioned indoors near an east- or north-facing window with bright, indirect sunlight. Windows with a different orientation will also work, although the cutting must be shaded during the hottest part of the day. Cover the pot with the large plastic bag, then secure the bag around the pot with a rubber band. The soil must not be allowed to dry out, but it also can't be soggy. Check the moisture level every few days and add water if it feels barely damp in the top 2 inches. Mist the philodendron cutting daily to keep the foliage plump. A healthy cutting will root in four to six weeks.

Care and Transplant

• Newly rooted philodendron cuttings are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, so they must be acclimated to normal indoor conditions very slowly. The plastic bag must be slit open and kept in place for the first few days. Open the bag for an increasing length of time each day for roughly one week, then remove it completely. Grow the plant in a bright room with freely circulating air and daytime temperatures of roughly 75 degrees. Once the philodendron shows significant growth, transplant it into a permanent pot filled with fresh potting soil and grow it under the same conditions as the parent plant. Grow the plant indoors, or place it in a sheltered area outdoors above U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9.