Propagate flame violet from a stolon plantlet. Pot a rosette that already has four leaves, with a short piece of the runner still attached, in moist mix that drains.
Pot a four-leaf plantlet with a short piece of stolon
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Plantlet | A healthy tip rosette with at least four leaves and two to three inches of stolon | Do not pot a leafless scrap or a yellow, torn runner |
| Mix | A small pot with a hole, filled with barely moist African-violet mix | Do not use a closed bowl without a hole, or a soggy, airless mix |
| Warmth | Bright indirect light and ordinary warm-room air until the plantlet holds | Do not set the cutting in hot sun or a cold draft |
| Wait | Keep the mix barely moist for about three weeks before you tug | Do not yank it up after a few days to check for roots |
The usual start is a stolon plantlet, not seed. [1] In spring or summer, choose a runner that already holds a small rosette with at least four leaves. Cut it so two to three inches of the stolon stay attached. Push that cut end into barely moist African-violet mix, and firm the mix around the stem so the rosette sits on the surface. [2] Set the pot in bright, indirect light. Keep the mix barely moist with room-temperature water, and keep water off the leaves. The plantlet usually holds in about three weeks. After it resists a gentle tug, water it as you would an established plant on How to Grow Flame Violet.
- Choose a healthy plantlet with at least four leaves. Cut it with two to three inches of stolon attached.
- Fill a small pot that has a drainage hole with barely moist African-violet mix.
- Push the cut end of the stolon into the mix, and firm it so the rosette sits on the surface.
- Keep it in bright, indirect light with barely moist mix. Wait about three weeks, then pot it on if it holds.
How do I start a new plant from a runner?
Cut a four-leaf plantlet with a short piece of stolon, pot it in barely moist mix that drains, and wait about three weeks.
Take a leaf cutting if you do not have a runner yet
A young plant may not have sent out stolons yet. Cut a healthy leaf with its petiole, dip the cut end in water, then in rooting hormone if you have it, and stand the petiole in barely moist mix. [3] Slip a loose clear bag over the pot so the mix does not dry, and keep it in bright, indirect light. Roots usually form in about a month, and small plantlets rise from the base after that. [4] Pot each plantlet once it holds.
- Cut a healthy leaf with its petiole still attached.
- Stand the petiole in barely moist mix so the leaf blade sits above the surface.
- Cover the pot loosely, keep it warm and bright without direct sun, and wait for plantlets at the base.
Can I use a leaf if there are no runners?
Yes. Stand a healthy leaf petiole in barely moist mix under a loose cover until plantlets form at the base.
Seed is slow, and named kinds do not come true
You can sow seed, but a named leaf pattern will not come true from seed. A stolon plantlet is the garden-center start. Leave seed for a later project unless you want that extra step.
Pot a four-leaf plantlet with a short piece of stolon, and wait until it holds. Seed can wait.
FAQ
How long until the plantlet roots?
About three weeks in barely moist mix and bright, indirect light. Wait until it holds before you pot it on.
Do I need rooting hormone?
No. A four-leaf plantlet usually roots without it. Hormone can speed a leaf cutting, but moist mix and warmth matter more.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Gardener's Path -
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/houseplants/grow-flame-violets/ - [2] University of Arkansas Extension -
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/Episcia-cupreata-Flame-Violet-03-22-2019.aspx - [3] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/episcia-cupreata/ - [4] Guide-to-houseplants -
https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/flame-violet.html
This note is part of Episcia Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors