Method 1: Using the whole leaf: this is the easiest method but you will only get one plant. You alway have the option of dipping the bottom into rooting gel or not. We have good success both ways. Insert the base of the leaf about 1/8" deep into the compost in a small pot 2" in diameter, and water lilghtly. If you put the leaf too deep it will take longer for babies to appear and the leaf might die before they do. Use either a proprietary compost specially produced for cuttings or a peat-based compost mix. We have our own mix that we use and it is available on the site. After watering lightly, place the pot in a propagating case. Alternatively place a polythene bag over the pot. Use some sticks to hold the bag clear of the leaf cutting. Place your propagating case or pot in a bright place but not in the full sun. We recommend putting it under a T5 light.

After about a month or so the leaf should have rooted, and after a second month a tuft of leaves will appear at the base of the cutting. Gradually increase the ventilation in the propagator (or slit the polythene bag a little at a time over several days until it is finally removed), so that the young plant becomes used to the room humidity. As the pot becomes full of roots, repot into a larger pot. 2.5" in dia., filled with a soiless mix. Start watering from the bottom using a wick system using our fertilizer or another of your choice. We will discuss fertilizers later on the site. Your new plant should start flowering after another three months or so.

Method 2: This is a slightly slower process but is useful if several plants are wanted. The leaf being used as the cutting should be cut transversely into several pieces, each about 2" in length (as shown to the left). The number obtained from one leaf will obviously depend on the size of the chosen leaf. Make sure the leaf sections are planted the correct way up, i.e. place the basal end, which was the point of attachment, in the compost. Instead of using pots, a propagating cell pack divided into a number of sections can be used, putting a piece of leaf in each cell. Subsequently, treat as described for Method 1, potting up each rooted cutting into an individual pot. We start with 1 0z shot glasses. Then go up to a 2" pot and finally up to a 2.5" If you place the babies into too large of a pot at one time or you can stunt the growth of the plant.

Method 3: You can also remove the central vein and lay both sides of the leaf (cut side down) into the compost. This way takes a little longer but can produce tons of babies along the edge of both sides of the leaves. Without a doubt the most productive if you are trying to grow tons of plants to sell or for a group fund raiser. Use a very sharp knife or streile scalpel and cut out the center vein and stem. The sides of the leaf can then be put into the soil with the side you cut into the soil and the outside of the leaf up. Babies will develop all the way along the leaf.