Take a stem cutting of showy medinilla in spring, just below a node, and keep it warm and humid until it roots. Softwood cuttings in spring, or slightly firmer cuttings in summer, are the usual home method.
Take a stem cutting just below a node in spring
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring, from new growth that has begun to firm, or summer for a slightly woodier cutting | Do not cut a stalk that is in bloom, and do not try a leaf with no node |
| Cutting | A 4- to 6-inch stem with at least two nodes, cut just below a node | Do not leave a long leafless stub, and do not use a flower stem |
| Leaves | Strip the lower pair, and cut the remaining large leaves in half | Do not leave a full-size leaf load, which dries the stem out before roots form |
| Mix | Moist open mix or sphagnum, barely damp | Do not sit the cutting in soggy potting soil |
Showy medinilla roots from a stem node, not from a leaf blade. In spring, cut a 4- to 6-inch piece just below a node. Strip the lower leaves, and cut the remaining large leaves in half so the cutting does not lose more water than it can replace. [1] Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you have it, then insert about two inches into moist open mix. A seedling heat mat at about 70°F helps the cut callus and then root. [2] Seed is a slower, separate job on Growing Showy Medinilla from Seed. Dividing a clump belongs on How to Repot Showy Medinilla. [3] [4]
- In spring, cut a 4- to 6-inch stem just below a node.
- Strip the lower leaves, and cut the remaining large leaves in half.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you have it.
- Insert the cutting into moist open mix, and set it on bottom heat about 70°F.
Can I root a leaf with no stem?
No. Roots come from a node on the stem. A leaf alone will not make a plant.
Keep it warm and humid until it roots
Cover the pot with a clear bag or a propagator so the air stays humid, and set it in bright filtered light, never hot sun. Keep the mix barely moist, not wet. New roots usually show in four to six weeks. Pot the cutting on when you feel resistance on a gentle tug, or when new leaves start, and then grow it as a young plant on How to Grow Showy Medinilla.
- Bag the pot or use a propagator so the air stays humid.
- Give bright filtered light and keep the mix barely moist.
- Wait four to six weeks, then pot on when the cutting resists a gentle tug.
How long until a cutting roots?
Usually four to six weeks in a warm, humid setup. If the stem turns dark and soft, the mix was too wet.
If a cutting stays green but never roots, add bottom heat and keep the bag closed. If it turns soft, start again in a drier, more open mix.
FAQ
Can I root the cutting in water?
Some growers stand the node in water, but moist open mix with a humidity bag is the more reliable home method. Change water often if you try a glass.
Why did the cutting collapse?
The mix stayed wet, or the leaf load was too large. Use a node cutting, cut the remaining leaves in half, and keep the mix only barely moist.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/11004/medinilla-magnifica/details - [2] Guide to Houseplants -
https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/medinilla-magnifica.html - [3] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/medinilla/ - [4] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/medinilla/caring-for-medinilla-plants.htm
This note is part of Medinilla Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors