Propagate bloodleaf from a stem cutting. Cut a healthy 3- to 4-inch stem just below a node, strip the lower leaves, and set it in moist mix that drains.
Take a 3- to 4-inch stem cutting just below a node
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting | A healthy 3- to 4-inch stem, cut just below a node, with a few leaves at the top | Do not pot a leafless scrap or a yellow, torn stem |
| Mix | A small pot with a hole, filled with barely moist mix that drains — perlite, or a houseplant mix loosened with perlite | Do not use garden soil, or a closed bowl without a hole |
| Cover | A loose clear bag in bright, indirect light, out of hot sun | Do not seal the pot in direct sun, which cooks the cutting |
| Wait | Keep the mix barely moist until new growth shows | Do not yank it up after a few days to check for roots |
The usual start for bloodleaf is a soft stem-tip cutting, taken in late winter or early spring while the plant is coming into growth. [1] Choose a healthy stem about 3 to 4 inches long. Cut just below a node, and pull off any leaf that would sit under the mix. Fill a small pot that has a hole with barely moist mix that drains, and push the stem in so at least one node is under the surface. [2] [3] Slip a loose clear bag over the pot so the mix does not dry, and keep it in bright, indirect light. After the cutting resists a gentle tug, water it as you would an established plant on How to Grow Bloodleaf. [4]
- Cut a healthy 3- to 4-inch stem just below a node.
- Pull off the lower leaves so no foliage sits in the mix.
- Push the stem into barely moist mix that drains, in a small pot with a hole, so a node is under the surface.
- Cover it loosely, keep it in bright, indirect light, and wait until it holds before you pot it on.
How do I take a bloodleaf cutting?
Cut a 3- to 4-inch stem just below a node, strip the lower leaves, set it in moist mix that drains, and wait until it holds.
Root it in water if you want to watch the roots
You can stand the same cutting in a jar of water instead, with the node under water and the leaves above it. Change the water every few days. When the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long, pot the cutting in the same draining mix, and keep the mix lightly moist while it settles. Mix usually makes a sturdier start, so use water if you want to see the roots, then move it on.
Can I root it in water?
Yes. Stand a node in clean water with the leaves above the surface, change the water every few days, and pot it when the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long.
Cut a 3- to 4-inch stem, set it in moist mix that drains, and wait until it holds. Water-rooting can wait.
FAQ
How long until the cutting roots?
In moist mix, wait until new growth shows and the stem holds a gentle tug. In water, roots often show in a couple of weeks. Wait until they are about 1 to 2 inches long before you pot it on.
Do I need rooting hormone?
No. A 3- to 4-inch stem usually roots without it. Moist mix, a loose cover, and warmth matter more.
Can I grow it from seed instead?
Stem cuttings are the reliable home method, and they keep the leaf color you already have. Seed is uncommon in the shop trade and is not the method to start with.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/96921/iresine-herbstii/details - [2] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iresine-diffusa-f-herbstii/ - [3] Guide to Houseplants -
https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/iresine-herbstii.html - [4] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/bloodleaf/bloodleaf-plant-care.htm
This note is part of Iresine Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors