Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

  • Shop Our Houses
    • Our Current House
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Painting Projects
  • Plants Guides
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Our First House » How To Grow Free Plants From Clippings

| By Sherry Petersik | June 30, 2009 | 57 Comments

How To Grow Free Plants From Clippings

There are few plants that are harder to kill than the philodendron or pathos plants, and we’ve already chatted about how fresh greenery breathes life into your home (both literally and figuratively). But sometimes they look a bit less chic and a bit more Little Shop Of Horrors if they’re overgrown and snaking all over the place like the ones in the background of this down-home seafood restaurant that we loved in Savannah (ignore our crab-like expressions in the foreground):

img_1781

img_1784

So whenever ours threaten to spread out a bit too much, we grab the scissors and get our clip on.

spider-plant-cuttings

And the greatest thing about it is that by clipping close to the root of the plant…

how-to-make-plant-cuttings

…each too-long branch that we snip can be placed in a glass of water only to grow roots and become a clone of the original plant. Really, the entire plant will regenerate from one small cutting once it’s placed in a cup full of water near a window. Is that sci-fi or what?!

cuttings

Then once those spider-like roots form, just plant each branch in their own pot with some lush potting soil and watch them grow up to be a spitting image of their momma. There you have it. Free house plants for little to no effort.

How about you guys. Do you have any cheap house plant tips to share with the group? Any impossible to kill varieties that are tickling your fancy these days? Spill the house plant dirt.

More Plant Guides

If you’re looking for more information on some of our favorite plants (real and faux!) check out some of these posts below:

  • Golden Pothos Care Guide
  • Marble Queen Pothos Care Guide
  • Neon Potho Care Guide
  • Monstera Deliciosa Care Guide
  • Snake Plant Care Guide
  • Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide
  • Tree Philodendron Care Guide
  • How to Build An Easy Plant Shelf
  • Protecting Outdoor Plants In A Deep Freeze
  • Getting Started With Houseplants, An Expert Interview
  • My Favorite Faux Plants
  • Easy Houseplants To Keep Alive
  • 10 Houseplants For Better Indoor Air Quality

Wanna know what other plants live here at Casa Petersik? Here’s the long and leafy breakdown.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Cleaning, Organizing, & Eco, Our First House, Plants, Saving Money

How To Draw A Chalk Mural On Your Wall
What To Look For When You Buy Your First House

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    I swear by peace lillies. It’s really hard to kill them. They need just a little bit of daily sunlight (really any room with some natural light) and water only 1-2 times per week. Just prune the leaves that will inevitably die, and I’ve also heard you’re supposed to prune the flowers when they bloom, but I never do.

    Reply
  2. DrinkMoreWater says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Thats not a spider plant, thats a philodendron. Spider plants look like this: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YhW_VafsexU/SDk5FPDuevI/AAAAAAAAD8A/vKEDg4dmNaY/s400/spiderplant.jpg

    Reply
  3. maryann says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    The plant-clipping idea brings back a great memory:

    My 5th grade teacher, Sister Dorothy, used to have a windowsill full of those planets. She would snip & grow dozens of little plants that she would give out as bingo prizes to benefit the missions.

    Reply
  4. laurel says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Great post, but I think those plants may be “pathos” (aka Devil’s Ivy). . . spider plants have spiky leaves and send out long offshoots with more spiky leaves! You can just plant the offshoots separately after you break them off the offshoot part.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    We picked up a few “balloon flower” plants (I don’t know the technical name but you can see them on this site towards the bottom http://www.art-rageous.net/FlowerGarden.html)at Home Depot the year before last. Their purple flowers look like a hot air balloons before they burst open. My MIL showed us how to get the seeds from them. You simply pinch off the flower, set it somewhere to dry for a couple of days and then dump the seeds out into a bag for the following year. We had nine plants originally and the first year, we got about half of a sandwich sized ziploc full of seeds. They like lots of water and lots of sun. They are virtually maintenance free.

    Reply
  6. Rachel says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    We have a “mother in law’s tongue” plant outside next to the front door. We ignore it for weeks and months, not even remembering to water it…and it lives.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Oops… http://www.art-rageous.net/FlowerGarden.html

    Reply
  8. heather s. says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    I’m sorry, but that is not a spider plant. Spider plants have long thin leaves. I have the same plant that you listed above in my house and can’t recall what it’s called.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_plant

    Reply
  9. Barbara says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Those look like philodendrons. Spider plants are the ones that drop the little baby spider plants all over the place. Of course they can look a little unruly at times as well!

    Reply
  10. heather s. says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Found it: it is a philodendron.

    http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/houseplant/philodendron/

    Reply
  11. Eryn says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    I bought a fun moss plant on Etsy the other day. It was in a cute concrete bowl. You mist them with water every day and keep them out of the light. They are almost impossible to kill and a beautiful green color!

    Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    June 30, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    Great tips. Are those philodendrons? I thought spider plants had long and skinny leaves. Love your blog.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm

      Sorry for the spider plant snafu. Consider it fixed. We somehow confused the other spreading house plant that can be cloned in the same way (spider plants can also go crazy and get pretty hairy looking, so feel free to use this technique on yours as well). Thanks so much for all the sweet corrections.

      xo,
      s

  13. Shelly says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    I’m sure you know by now it’s a philodendron ;-), but spider plants are also fantastic! Plus they are easy starters and love bathrooms. I have one in mine!

    Reply
  14. Jen C says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    I recently picked up a decent size ZZ Plant from Ikea for $10 and it’s super cool looking (almost succulent like) and is nearly impossible to kill. Barely ever needs watering and doesn’t care what kind of light you give it.
    I’m in love!
    http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/ZZ.htm
    http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/easy-zz-plant/index.html

    Reply
  15. jill says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    i really like to have african violets in my house. they are very low maintenance and have pretty blossoms when they bloom. i keep mine in a selfwatering (no water directly on the leaves) pot and just make sure it has water in it and the plant waters itself!

    Reply
  16. Dog-Eared says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    wow, those are so pretty. i love viney plants– i may have to get myself one of these!

    Reply
  17. Andrea says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I love indoor house plants! Be aware that some plants aren’t safe for animals should they eat the leaves. Philodendron is on the list for poisonous house plants for animals. The spider plant however is safe. This may not be an issue for some of you but we can’t keep our cat or dog out of plants no matter how ‘out of reach’ we try to put them.

    Just FYI!

    Andrea

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 1:42 pm

      Hey Andrea,

      Great tip! Let’s keep our animals safe and keep any plant that poisonous out of their reach!

      xoxo,
      s

  18. Julie says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    These kind of give me the creeps (so do the spider plants)! I had one for several years and finally managed to kill it off. I’ve even killed one of those bamboo plants that don’t even need dirt – they just sit in a glass of water!

    Reply
  19. Jen says

    June 30, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    I’m a total plant virgin and have this exact plant (that I kept alive for over a year, hooray!) and it is starting to grow out of control. I will snip it down and do the water trick, how great! Thanks for the tip.

    Also, where can I find those burro tail plants? I looked at Home Depot last time I was there with no luck. Any suggestions?

    Thanks for your great blog, I love reading it every day!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 1:50 pm

      Hey Jen,

      Hmm, other than Lowe’s or Home Depot maybe try a more specialized nursery (which might even be able to order them for you if they don’t have them lying around). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  20. Robyn says

    June 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Quick question that is a bit off subject:

    Do you scrub your window sills juuuust before you snap a picture? Or are they always so clean?

    So pretty and clean! Great work.

    :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 2:12 pm

      That’s too funny Robyn. John actually asked if I dust them the other day… and… I do. About once a week I run a swiffer dust pad over them (along with other pieces like our tv table, our console, our coffee table, etc) to keep them looking clean. Oh and semi-gloss trim paint is much more wipe-able than flat paint so that also helps the cause. Stay tuned for a full post about how we keep our house squeaky clean with as little effort as possible…

      xo,
      s

  21. Aimee says

    June 30, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    These are my favorites – because they’re so hard to kill. :) (Only, we’ve always called them Pothos – different name for the same plant? Confusion in naming? Do tell!)

    The other trick I use, when it starts to get long and straggly is to let it root in its own pot. Take the long offender and bury a 1″ portion of the vine in the dirt. Water, and it will root within a day or two, giving you a fuller plant!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 2:15 pm

      Aimee- Ooh great tip! I have heard some people call them by the other name so maybe they just go by two names?

      xo,
      s

  22. Madelaine says

    June 30, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    I am at a time when I think I would actually like some inside plants. Any thoughts on how to keep four cats out of the pots?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 1:15 pm

      Hey Madelaine,

      Hmm, we’re stumped since we’re pooch owners (although we’ve heard heavy river rocks on top of the soil can help). Anyone else have ideas?

      xo,
      s

  23. mrs.lee says

    June 30, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    there’s that bench I love! I’m about to embark on my first, big DIY refinishing project. I bought a great stool that I’m planning to repaint and reupholster. Any tips for me??

    http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 30, 2009 at 2:38 pm

      Hey Mrs. Lee,

      Here’s a post all about how we made that bench.

      https://www.younghouselove.com/the-story-of-a-thrift-store-bench/

      Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  24. Kellie says

    June 30, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I prefer succulents because I’m really, really, really, really bad about watering my indoor plants. Or my outdoor plants, for that matter (thank goodness for drip irrigation and timers). I bought some really neat succulents in pretty ceramic pots from Trader Joe’s for just a few $ and I get a ton of compliments on them. They’re growing happy and healthy and all I have to do is water them once every month or so.

    Reply
  25. Melissa says

    June 30, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Anyone have any ideas for a shade/super low light loving houseplant?

    I have tried a few succalents that say they like shade but they have all killed over on me. :(

    Reply
  26. Carrie says

    June 30, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    String of hearts are a super easy houseplant. I have them draping down the bare side of my kitchen cabinet. It likes sun and to be VERY dry. Plus, they grow these white balls on the vines that can be pulled and planted to grow more.

    Reply
  27. Meredith says

    June 30, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    I have a Schefflera that I’m training to be a tree! It has four stems that I braid together as they get longer, and I prune all the leaves off the bottom so the stems get woody. But even as a bush, they’re great and very hard to kill. They’re on your NASA list, along with a Peace Lily, which I recently acquired but don’t know much about yet except that the flowers shed pollen onto the leaves and then I have to dust it, which is a bit annoying.

    Reply
  28. Bethany Joy says

    June 30, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    I may be the only person in the world to have killed a philodendron. Mine actually got gnats in their roots and got gross. You have inspired me to try again though.

    I am only good at keeping cactus and bamboo alive so far haha.

    Reply
  29. SamiJ says

    June 30, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    You might enjoy Baby’s tears (also called Irish Moss)- while it can be grown outdoors, I like it better as an indoor only plant (it is too hard to control its uncontrollable spreading in the yard). It likes moist soil and partial shade – which is perfect for those who tend to overwater… and you can sometimes buy it at Target.

    Reply
  30. Charlotte says

    June 30, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Those are cute! As for actualy spider plants, they were totally taking over my apartment because any time I knocked one of the babies off I didn’t have the heart to throw them away. It got much better when we moved into a house, but STILL–if you want a free baby spider plant, feel free to come a’knockin at my door!

    Reply
  31. Erin says

    June 30, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Ha, I am laughing out loud at this post right now, only because I have a complete black thumb and the only thing I’ve been able to keep alive at all is a phylodendron. It’s still ALIVE, but for the two years I’ve had it, I’ve just let it grow and get all spidery and ugly. I never knew how to maintain it and just hadn’t had the time or motivation to research it yet.

    So of course you guys come through like always, and here is the perfect solution right in my Google Reader. :) I can’t wait to go home and try this so I can try to make my plant more healthy!

    Reply
  32. Kiri says

    June 30, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    Succulents. I had succulents in my wedding bouquet and my husband’s boutonniere was a succulent. We left them to dry out for like 4 months (way longer than necessary), then planted them. We also took some cuttings from a couple different types of succulents from our honeymoon in the San Juan Islands, and now we have an almost free succulent garden, filled with lots of great memories. And to keep it growing we just take clippings from our own plants now.
    Also, I took a clipping from a shamrock plant that my mother has had for over 25 years. Those are hard to kill too! I water it about as often as I water my succulents (never!) and just pluck the dead stems once in awhile. I have had it for over 5 years now.

    Reply
  33. Katie says

    June 30, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    You can do the same thing with your Burros Tail… just stick a couple of the “leaves” in moist potting soil and eventually you’ll have a cute new plant =)

    Reply
  34. caroline says

    June 30, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    Three cheers for almost-unkillable houseplants! I have become a big fan of bamboo myself, having ditched my philodendrons due to stubbornly curious cats. Madelaine (and other cat owners) can check this list of dangerous plants to make sure they’re keeping their felines safe: http://tinyurl.com/m9yh9k

    That link also makes the helpful suggestion of getting plastic needlepoint canvas at a craft store and cutting that to fit inside the pot and around its base. This way, you can still water easily and air circulates, but the cats can’t dig in the soil. Depending on the plant you choose, the canvas will be more or less visible. I am anal enough to have spraypainted the plastic canvas brown so it blends in better :)

    Reply
  35. Kari says

    June 30, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Hi Madelaine,

    I have three cats currently and my answer is–don’t have plants in the house. I am a big gardener and I love plants but I also love my cats (who unlike many dogs get on everything). At least one of my cats at any given time seems to eat plants and throw them up. FWIW, our compromise has been to have plants in the garden and not in the house.

    Kari-who remembers a day when she could have flowers in the house–that day is not today (wicked Lizzie and Betty!)

    Reply
  36. Erin K says

    June 30, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Love your blog – you guys always have the best ideas. One of the plants on that NASA list was a Rubber Plant – I have one and love it! The leaves are big and shiny with a deep green color. I was recently at plant sale where I saw some rubber plants that looked much happier and healthier than mine, so I asked what the secret was. The guy said to feed them stale beer mixed with water every other week….and it works! I started doing it and my plant looks 100% better. I wonder if this works with any other plants?

    Reply
  37. April says

    June 30, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Don’t ask me how, but my roommate actually did kill the plant you have shown. I even tried my normal technique of waiting it out to see if there were other shoots hidden, etc. No, she actually destroyed it beyond the point of return. However, they are very resilient plants otherwise haha. She just has a really black thumb apparently.

    Reply
  38. Lori says

    June 30, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    I also LOVE those Ikea pots :) I was just there this weekend stocking up on all shapes and sizes. A little tip about them – you can actually drill your own drainage holes in them with an electric drill and a ceramic drill bit. Very simple, and I haven’t ruined a pot yet by doing it. That way, you can pot your plants directly in them. Although, you will need a saucer or something to protect your tables and windowsills. But, I move most of my plants (almost all Jades) outside to create a little “potted plant garden” along the side of the house in the summer, so the self-drilled drainage holes are great for that.

    Reply
  39. Tracey says

    June 30, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    My fav for a gorgeous hard to kill architectural style indoor plant has got to be the Zanzibar Gem – dont know if you have them in USA but great in Australia.
    http://www.tlcindoorgardens.com.au/…//_CRE4711-.jpg

    Reply
  40. Hanna says

    July 1, 2009 at 12:53 am

    Peace Lillies are great – we only water ours when the leaves start to flop, a quick drink and they are back to their former glory within minutes! A bit of tough lovin’…

    Reply
  41. heather s. says

    July 1, 2009 at 8:57 am

    I also have a cat and the best way to keep her out of the plants you don’t want them near (besides not having plants inside) is to plant cat grass or other plants that cats love in planters(catnip, pesian catmint, lemongrass). I have two pots in the house and two on the patio of catnip and cat grass so she can eat those rather than any other plant I have. Works like a charm.

    Reply
  42. Kristi W. says

    July 1, 2009 at 10:13 am

    I love spider AND philodendron plants (and their monster-like regeneration abilities). Most of our house plants (around 20) came from the same two original plants. I have to admit though, I actually like when they get all viney and snakey. I have some in my kitchen, and I let the vines grow out along the tops of the cabinets. Sure, we used to joke that our house was becoming a jungle, but really I just like how it looks. To each her own, I guess. :)
    Good idea for a post (as usual).

    Reply
  43. Cecily T says

    July 1, 2009 at 11:25 am

    I got a burro tail after you guys profiled it, but it’s a little fussy w/ the leaf dropping when it gets touched, which it does often here w/ our toddler. Plus getting it repotted was dicey; I lost a lot of stalks.

    I have a half-wall between my fam room and the kitchen, and honestly, I don’t know what I’d put there if I didn’t have my houseplants. I change them in and out depending on what’s doing well and what’s not.

    My most recent and insane plant project was that when I cut back some of my plants that were doing a little *too* well; I decided to try rooting some of the leaves from a fittonia (nerve plant), some african violet leaves, and some from a sort of leafy succulent that I don’t know the name of. I did several leaf nodes from each plant, thinking I’d be lucky if I got one or two. Well, they are *all* rooting, and now my laundry room shelf is covered w/ the little bathroom cups filled with plantlets! If anyone needs a houseplant, let me know!

    I also have a philodendron that I’ve had since I went to college 10 years ago; it’s survived 3 moves now!

    Reply
  44. Amanda says

    July 1, 2009 at 11:59 am

    I have a black thumb and have a bunch of houseplants I haven’t killed: pothos, ZZ plant as previously mentioned and philodendrons.

    Another tip:
    For places that don’t get sunlight (my bathrooms) use Israeli Ruscus or Ruscus hypophyllum cuttings. They are available at your local florist (Kroger for me) and last for 8 months or so. ($4 for 8 months!)

    There’s an apartment therapy post here:
    http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-questions/good-questions–073650

    Reply
  45. Lauren Gehr says

    July 1, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    You realize it looks like you’re grabbing a pair in that picture right? lol

    At any rate, I suck with houseplants, but my pothos has managed to survive despite my neglect. The advice I have is get a pothos and neglect it!

    Reply
  46. Laura says

    July 4, 2009 at 9:09 am

    Where did you get that fabulous white flower pot… IKEA perhaps?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      July 4, 2009 at 9:17 am

      Yup, Ikea!

      xo,
      s

  47. Kim says

    July 29, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    When I was growing up, my mom always had philodendrons around the house, and I never paid much attention to them. Until recently, that is, when I snipped one of my own. Okay, fine — I was removing dead leaves and I removed a live one by mistake. So I popped it into a vase of water and it really was just as easy as my mom made it out to be; roots are growing left right and center! I can’t wait to find a new pot for its new home. I recommend philodendrons to anyone who needs a hassle-free plant for home or the office.

    Reply
  48. jodie says

    December 27, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    can I start a shamrock plant just from clippings?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      December 27, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      I’ve never tried. Anyone know?

      xo
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Outdoor Solar LED Path Lights
Solar Path Lights
Criss Cross Office Chair
Our Desk Chair
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Eufy 11S Max Robot Vacuum
Our Robot Vacuum
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Livable Luxe Book
Fav Design Book
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2025 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web