How to Propagate Aquatic Plants

Locate small new roots on a bunch plant. They will most likely grow from the same node on the stem that leaves grow from. Cut the plant stem just below the new small roots, leaving at least one or two leaf nodes on the mother plant. Remove the leaves on the cutting next to the new small roots. Insert the cutting into the substrate so that the new small roots are underground.

Pick up the runner from a foreground plant. Gently shake off any substrate clinging to the roots of the runner. Do not disturb the mother plant. Cut the runner at any point and transfer it to a new location. If it was on top the substrate originally, simply lay it on the substrate in the new place. If it was below ground, carefully bury it under a thin layer of substrate. If there are leaves growing on the runner, leave them above the substrate.

Cut off the rhizome of plants that have these shoots coming off the side of the roots. Cut the rhizome into pieces, leaving some roots and leaves on each piece. Place the pieces on top the substrate in new locations. They should take root and grow where you place them.

Separate small plants from the base of adventitious plants. Place the small plants in different locations with the roots in the substrate and the leaves up. If you do not separate these small plants, they will eventually become free of the mother plant on their own and float to another location on their own.