How to Propagate Autograph Plants: Propagation Made Easy

The autograph plant, also known as the Clusia plant, is a unique houseplant known for its broad, thick leaves and showy flowers With its tropical origins, vibrant colors, and ability to thrive indoors, it’s no wonder the autograph plant has become a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts

Propagating autograph plants is a great way to get new plants for free. And it’s surprisingly easy to do! With just a few simple steps and basic gardening supplies you can multiply your autograph plant collection.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully propagate autograph plants at home through stem cuttings. Let’s get growing!

What You’ll Need

Propagating autograph plants is simple and requires just a few basic supplies:

• A healthy mother plant – Select a mature, healthy autograph plant to take cuttings from. Avoid any plants that are diseased or stressed.

• Clean shears or pruners – You’ll need a sharp blade to snip cuttings. Wipe down shears with alcohol before each cut to avoid transferring disease.

• Containers – Small pots, jars or vases to hold cuttings. Make sure they have drainage holes. Clear glass works well for observing root growth.

• Rooting hormone (optional) – Not required but can help stimulate faster root growth. Look for powdered formulations.

• Potting mix – A loose, well-draining soil mix is ideal. You can make your own mix of potting soil, peat moss, perlite and sand.

• Plastic bags – To create a humid dome over cuttings while they root.

Step 1: Take Stem Cuttings

The first step is selecting and taking cuttings from the mother plant:

• Identify healthy stems on the mother plant that are non-flowering. Look for stems that are green, firm and have healthy leaves.

• Use clean, sharp shears or pruners to snip a stem cutting that is 4-6 inches long. Make the cut just below a leaf node.

• Cuttings taken in spring and summer root the quickest. But you can take them any time of year.

• Take 3-5 cuttings total to improve your odds of success. More cuttings = more plants!

Step 2: Prepare the Cuttings

Before placing your cuttings, you’ll want to prep them:

• Carefully trim off the lower leaves from each cutting, leaving just 2-3 leaves at the top.

• Make a fresh angled slice at the base of the stem. This exposes more surface area for new roots to emerge.

• Dip the bare end in rooting hormone powder if desired. Tap off any excess.

• Allow cut ends to dry/callous over for 1-2 days before planting.

Step 3: Root in Water

One easy way to root autograph plant cuttings is in water. Here’s how:

• Fill small jars or containers with room temperature water. Cuttings will root quickest in warm water.

• Insert stem cuttings into the water so the bare end is fully submerged. Leave 2-3 leaves above water.

• Place the containers in bright, indirect light. Direct hot sun will scorch the leaves.

• Make sure water levels stay consistent. Add more water as needed to keep cuttings submerged.

• Cuttings should develop roots after 3-5 weeks. Roots will be noticeable through clear glass containers.

• Once roots are 1-2 inches long, cuttings can be transplanted into soil.

Step 4: Root in Soil

You can also root autograph plant cuttings directly in potting mix:

• Fill small pots with a loose, well-draining potting mix. Mix in sand or perlite to improve drainage.

• Poke holes in the soil with a pencil. Insert each cutting, gently firming the soil around it.

• Water well then cover pots with plastic bags to create a humid environment.

• Place pots in bright indirect light and keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.

• Remove plastic once cuttings show new growth in 2-4 weeks.

• Transition to larger pots once roots are well established.

Step 5: Care for New Plants

Once your cuttings have rooted and been transplanted, they can be treated like mature autograph plants:

• Place in bright indirect sunlight. Provide 12-14 hours of light daily.

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soaked. Allow to dry out some between waterings.

• Water with room temperature filtered water. Let water drain fully from pots.

• Maintain average room humidity. Misting leaves occasionally can help.

• Feed monthly in spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

• Prune back leggy growth and pinched off spent flowers to encourage bushiness.

• Repot annually in spring into slightly larger containers.

With the proper care, your new propagated autograph plants will continue growing and thriving for years to come. Enjoy watching your plant collection multiply!