Focus on Arts and Ecology

Get a clipping from a friend and watch it grow into a healthy houseplant with these easy instructions.

By Molly Marquand December 14, 2017

 

Fuschia

Named for the 16^th century botanist, Leonhart Fuchs, Fuschia’s popularity has stood the test of time. While there aren’t a ton of variations to the most commonly grown species Fuschia magellanica (double or single petal in pink, purple, or maroon), what this plant lacks in variety it makes up for in good old-fashioned un-fussiness. Remember to water fairly frequently (and don’t abandon it to broiling heat) and it will put forth dozens of pendant flowers all spring and summer long. What’s more, it is very easy to grow from woody cuttings. Just as with pelargonium, snip off a three inch piece at a node, place in water for 2-3 weeks, and presto! Brand new fuschia. It’s important to make a clean cut when working with woodies so kit out those sticky fingers properly and invest in a small pair of sharp scissors.
Related: How To Grow Thriving Houseplants In Water

Mother of Thousands

Mother of thousands is exactly that: a wildly prolific reproducer. The species hails from Madagascar, along with a whole range of other oddball endemics. What makes mother of thousands a good, solid houseplant is its ability to reproduce vegetatively, by growing plantlets along the margins of its leaves. These little plant babies, once they’ve grown roots, pop off, aim for soil—and mostly just end up on the carpet. Next time you find a reproductive specimen, scoop up one of these itty bitty babes. Treat it like any other new plant, giving it the right sized pot (not too big, not too small) and keeping the soil moist while it establishes itself in its new digs. It might not look like much but with a little love and water it’ll grow into a big strong succulent, fit for any sunny sill.
Related: How To Propagate Succulents In 4 Simple Steps

Silvery and spotted, bright green or pink stemmed begonias are just so dang diverse. They’re pretty easy to please, too and are happy in low light with sporadic, once-a-week watering. Buying those really exotic little numbers with all the frills and polka dots can be a pricey affair, so next time you see an irresistible variety, pinch a little piece off the end of a non-flowering stem. As with any stem cutting, make sure to get several nodes to submerge in water—with begonias, this is where root growth will begin. If you can only snag a leaf, that may work too. Slice the leaf in half, on a diagonal (so that the main veins are severed cross wise) and push the leaf pieces down into potting soil. The key to this method is that the veins come into good contact with the substrate. Water, and cover with a plastic bag to keep the soil uniformly and constantly moist. In a month or two, new begonias will sprout from the cut leaves and be ready for transplanting. This method works particularly well with fleshy begonias like the Rexes.