How Do I Propagate A Split-Leaf Philodendron? [Best Practices]

The split-leaf philodendron is a house plant also known as monstera delicious. It is a vine species commonly found in parts of Central America. The plant grows fast, handles harsh conditions, and has a variety of colors, sizes, and patterns. 

How do I propagate a split-leaf philodendron? You ask. 

You propagate a split-leaf philodendron by putting the cutting in a water vase. Again, you can do it in water and still grow bushy. Unfortunately, to grow to a complete plant, your cutting requires a node, but in two to three weeks, it produces roots. 

The plant can grow on tall trees because of its long roots. As a result, they can collect enough moisture from the atmosphere.

Keep reading to know how and when to propagate a split-leaf philodendron. 

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How Do I Propagate A Split-Leaf Philodendron?

You propagate a split-leaf philodendron by following the following steps.

Step 1

Clean the blades of your floral snips or pair of scissors with rubbing alcohol before using them on the plant. By sanitizing the tools, you reduce the chances of infection to the cutting. 

Step 2

Look for a mature, healthy, and vigorous base of the plant. Get a nice offshoot that is no taller than 6 to 8 inches. Ensure it has a node and tiny leaves that are not mature but beginning to grow. 

Step 3

Put on your garden gloves before cutting the stem. You can use the disinfected pair of scissors to cut the split-leaf philodendron offshoot stem. Flush the cut with soil. Finally, put your cutting in a container of water to cool and hydrate while you prepare to root it in a pot.

Step 4

You need now to put your pot with shredded and sharp sand soil. Take one or two cups of water and moisten the ground in the propagating pot.

Step 5

Take the cutting and put it in the pot. Press the cutting firmly to remove any air between it and the soil. Pour about two or three tablespoons of water on the planted cutting to settle the soil.

Step 6

Making sure the soil is moist, place your cutting outdoors or where there is enough warmth and light. Also, use a plant mister to spray the cutting at least two times a day to keep the leaves moisturized.

Step 7 

After one and a half months, you can check whether the roots are out. How? Gently try to uproot it. If it resists coming out, you can rest assured that it is a job well done.

Can Philodendron Be Propagated In Water?

Yes. You can propagate philodendron in water. It is a beautiful plant that you will propagate in soil and water with a lot of ease. Reproducing it in water saves your time and energy because you will not pot and re-pot it. 

And when the time for transferring it to growing pot comes, it will be the strongest ever. So, read on to know how to propagate philodendron in water like an expert.

Make a Cutting

The first thing you need to ensure is that you have a vigorous mother plant. Let it not be too old or too young and free from diseases and pests. Then take your prepared pair of scissors or your preferred cutter and cut a three-inch tall cutting. 

Ensure the cut has nodes for fast growth. Take your supporting stick and wrap it around to support it in the water.

Put It In Water

Your vase should match the beauty of your house, and the size of the vase will be determined by where you will position it. With that in mind, disinfect it and put enough distilled or rainwater free from any chemicals.

More often, you will need to change the vase water. So, make sure you get it from one source to have minerals constituency because philodendron gets their nutrients from the water you put in.

Grow The Plant In Enough Humidity

Philodendron plants do well where the environment is humid. Now that you have propagated it in water; you will not have to pay much attention to the humid detail. 

However, if you forget to support your plant and the leaves grow downwards, then you will be forced to mist it. Large healthy leaves require humidity at all times. 

Fertilize It

Although water has nutrients necessary for philodendron to grow, you may be required to add liquid fertilizer to enrich the water.  That ensures the plant produces dark green and healthy leaves. Be careful not to overfeed it because you may harm your cutting.

Can You Propagate Philodendron Without a Node?

No. You cannot propagate a philodendron without a node. I would compare a node to a production system of an animal or human being. 

Without it, there is no production. 

The absence of a node means that the plant will not produce more leaves because it is the womb of the plant where the growth takes place.

Can a Monster Cutting Without a Node Grow Roots?

Yes, a monster cutting without a node can grow roots. It is possible for a monster cutting without a node to grow roots if you keep it in a water vase for a few weeks. 

However, the process takes more time, and the plant may never grow to a complete plant. The node is responsible for the growth of more stems and leaves in the plant. 

Where Can You Find a Node In a Split-Leaf Philodendron?

You can find a node in a sprouting leaf, branch, or bud. The matureness of your plant dictates how the appearance of your node will be. But, generally, the stem will seem thicker or have a  dry brown ring around the stem and some roots emerging. It is a scar where a leaf fell from before.

Remember that if you have more nodes on the bottom of your plants, your plant will eventually grow more roots when you bury it in the soil.

How Long Do Philodendron Cuttings Take Root?

A philodendron cutting will take ten to three weeks to root after it can start producing leaves and grow upright. Again, the cutting can grow in the vase but will not increase to its maximum. However, this will be determined by how perfectly you do your cutting.

How Big Can a Split-Leaf Philodendron Get?

This plant grows up to three meters high and about four and a half meters wide. It will look like a shrub and therefore requires ample space to grow in the house at its climax. Moreover, you can stick it to a wall to prevent it from taking up all the space and offer it support as it grows. 

Where Do You Cut a Philodendron to Propagate?

You cut the philodendron from a mature mother plant and near a node. Ensure the cutting has at least two nodes before you root it to ensure complete growth. 

The node facilitates the development of new stem and leaves, and sometimes you find it having aerial roots out. Also, ensure you do the cutting at an angle of 45 degrees for a sure propagation.

Are Philodendrons Easy To Propagate?

Yes. Philodendrons are easy to propagate. Reason? There are two available ways of propagating: seeding or cutting. Propagating by cutting is simple because you just have your cutting and put it in your water vase. 

After six weeks, it starts producing aerial roots ready for replanting. Though seeding is also good, I would discourage it. Here’s why. Seeding propagation may not bring out the expected breed and quality.

FAQS

Are Split Leaf Philodendron Prone to Diseases? 

Split leaves are prone to diseases. Although the plant can adapt quickly, some conditions can attack them. For example, leaf spot attacks the leaves, making them full of black holes. Again if your watering isn’t up to date, it tends to suffer from foot rot.  

Finally, if you don’t provide your plant with enough light, the leaves get affected and may fall off.

Is Split Philodendron Toxic?

Split philodendrons are toxic because they contain high levels of oxalate crystal. If eaten by humans, they cause digestive problems and you should seek medical advice. Moreover, they’re also harmful to cats and dogs. 

So, make sure you put them away from kids’ and pets’ reach.

Can You Propagate a Leaf Without a Node?

No. You cannot propagate a leaf without a node. Your propagated leaf can stay in water for some time and even have some roots but will never grow to anything. It will always be one leaf and nothing more. The node has all the necessary genetic requirements for the plant. It’s crucial for healthy propagation.

Conclusion

Split leaf philodendron is a beautiful, readily available indoor plant. Propagating it isn’t difficult but needs care and knowledge when doing it. Moreover, it can produce roots within a short time.

The plant is also not difficult to manage because it requires little pruning and does well in indoor light. Once you stick it, you are good to go.

However, it is prone to diseases like root rot caused by the poor habit of watering and leaving the spot. Sometimes it requires you to spray to deal with tiny worms.