If you want to learn more about how to propagate plants (often misspelled as propogate), we recommend you follow one of our guides!

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Plant Propagation Supplies

When propagating plants, it is important to get a clean cut and have a container for your new plant. From there, plant parents should focus their attention on water levels, light, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer. To accelerate root growth, consider adding rooting hormone to your propagation supplies. Let’s get to cloning!

Best Grow Lights for Plant Propagation and Everyday Use

My search for the perfect grow light ended when I tried the GE 32W Balanced Spectrum light bulb. This is what I use for all of my variegated Monstera Albo cuttings, and they LOVE IT. It hard to find a spot in my home bright enough to keep my plants growing when it gets dark and cloudy. With these lights, I get a new leaves every month – even in the dead of winter!

GE Grow LED Light Bulb, For Seeds and Greens, Balanced Light Spectrum, Medium Base, PAR38 Bulb Shape (Pack of 1)

These GE Grow Light Bulbs frequently go on sale on Amazon, making them significantly less expensive than they would be at your nearby hardware store. Click on the above image or link for the current price.

Best Light Meter for Plant Propagation

If you want to take the guesswork out of lighting once and for all, the best thing you can do is buy a light meter. This will tell you the exact light measurement in foot candles. You can use this information to perfect the placement of every plant and grow light in your home. This the one I use. It is a great value, easy to use, and works perfectly. Click on the image or link to check the current price:

Dr.meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance Light Meter, 0-200,000 Measurement Range Lux Meter

Best Rooting Hormone Gel for Plant Propagation

Plants naturally produce this hormone, which signals to the unrooted cutting that it should grow roots. By adding rooting hormone gel, you can encourage your plants to grow roots faster when propagating.

Rooting hormone comes in powder and gel format. I use Clonex gel because it works in both wet and dry mediums. Powder is best for dry mediums (like soil and not water) because it will wash off in a liquid. Click on the image or link for the current price.

HydroDynamics Clonex Rooting Gel, 100 ml

Best Velcro Garden Ties for Plant Propagation

I prefer to use velcro garden ties when supporting my plant cuttings. The green color blends into the plant, and they are soft and wide to avoid damaging the stem. You can cut them to any length, put them on using one hand, and undo or reuse at any time. Check Amazon for the current price by clicking on the image or link.

VELCRO Brand VEL-30071-USA ONE-WRAP Garden Ties | Plant Supports for Effective Growing | Strong Grips are Reusable and Adjustable | Cut-to-Length, 50 ft x 1/2 in, Green-Recycled Plastic

Best Leca for Plant Propagation

Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) are porous clay balls. They are commonly used as solid inorganic material, which is added to water for semi-hydoponics.

The solid material provides structure for the roots to grow, and allows more airflow. The LECA balls wick water upward, allowing roots to grow in the air, above the level of pooled water. Click the image or link to check the current price on Amazon.

Mother Earth Hydroton Original Clay Pebbles – 10 Liter, Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate

Best Perlite for Plant Propagation

Perlite has very similar benefits to water, with the addition of greater airflow. Perlite is absorbent and porous, so it will wick moisture up to areas of the container that are not underwater. Keep the container filled with a small reservoir of water below the level of the stem, and cover the top to hold in humidity around the roots.

Perlite is so lightweight; it is easy to pull out the cutting to check on it without disturbing it too much. Heavier mediums will help the cutting stand up better, however.

Make sure you pick a course perlite (#3 or bigger to minimize dust) without fertilizer. I recommend this perlite. Click the image or link to check the current price on Amazon.

Mother Earth Perlite #3, Covers 4 cu. ft., Large and Coarse, Average Size 1/2 inch, For Hydroponic Use, Neutral pH

Best Sphagnum Moss for Plant Propagation and Air Layering

Moist moss holds a lot of water, which is great for maintaining humidity around roots while still allowing airflow. A cover, like cling wrap, can be used to hold humidity in the container.

This method can yield great results, but is difficult to execute correctly. People often have issues caused by moss that is too wet or too dry. Click on the image or link for the current price:

besgrow New Zealand Sphagnum Moss (100 Grams)

Best Fertilizer for Plant Propagation and Everyday Use

This fertilizer makes 45 gallons and can be used on most indoor plants. I use a few drops of Liqui-Dirt added to the water for my propagated plants. The packet is super concentrated and lasts a long time. Click on the image or link for the current price.

Liqui-Dirt Nano Powder All-Purpose Organic Complete Plant Food for Indoor or Outdoor Use (Makes over 50 gallons) 18 Balanced Super Foods -Balanced Blend of Vitamins Minerals Micro-Fungi and Bio-Organisms

Best Pruning Shears for Propagating Plant Cuttings

To create plant cuttings, I prefer sharp pruning shears as they make the cleanest cut. Your goal when cutting should be a smooth chop without crushing the tissue around the cut. Crushed areas often die, so a sharp tool will help you only need to cut once. Click on the image or link for the current price.

Ultra Snip 6.7 Inch Pruning Shear with Stainless Steel Blades

Best Clear Pots with Humidity Dome for Plant Propagation

Only have a handful plants you want to propagate? Want to keep cuttings separate? These clear propagation pots with a dome are perfect! Just like a larger propagation tray, these pots help you maintain consistent humidity, temperature, and light levels. Click on the image or link for the current price:

4″ Clear Plant Nursery Pots with Humidity Dome, 10PCS Plastic Gardening Pot Plant Container, Seed Starting Pot with Drain Holes for Seedlings/Vegetables/Succulents/Cuttings

Best Propagation Clone Tray & Propagator Dome

Maintaining consistent humidity, temperature, and light levels are key to success plant propagation. Look no further for the perfect cutting propagator! A propagation dome is a clear enclosure that keeps moisture in and allows your plants to absorb light. Click on the image or link for the current price.

Propagator with Humidity Vents Domes,Heavy Duty Growing Tray Mini Greenhouse for Seedlings, Clones

Best Temperature and Humidity Sensor for Plant Propagation

I recommend this hygrometer (humidity sensor) & thermometer that I use for my plants. I love the fact that it displays the highs and lows (temperature and relative humidity) of the last 24 hours, so that when I come home from work I can see what my plants experienced while I was gone! Click on the image or link for the current price.

Hygrometer Indoor Thermometer, Hygrometer Humidity Gauge Room Thermometer Digital Hygrometer Indoor Temperature Humidity Monitor High-Precision Digital Sensor (HD Large Display)

Best Mycorrhizal Fungi for Growing Roots in Soil

When you transfer your propagated plant to soil, you will likely be focused on developing a healthy system of roots. Mycorrhizal fungi has a beneficial, symbiotic relationship with plant roots to improve the uptake of micro and macro nutrients. I recommend this formula – click on the image or link for the current price:

Mycorrhizal Inoculant by DYNOMYCO™ – High Performing Strains – Concentrated Formula – Improves Nutrient Uptake – Increases Plant Yields Enhances Resilience to Stress Saves Fertilizer (100 g / 3.5 Oz)

Best Plant Heat Pad and Mat for Propagating Plants

Heat pads are used with a propagation tray or propagator dome to maintain heated temperature levels. Choose one with a thermostat, like the one I recommend below. Click the image or link to check the current price:

10″x20.75″ Seedling Heat Mat and Thermostat Controller 68-108°F Digital Thermostat Controller IP68 Waterproof (Heated mat+Thermostat Controller)

Best Plant Propagation Station and Test Tube Planter

Using test tubes allows a plant to grow its initial root system. The vertical walls (i.e. no neck) of the tube ensures that removing the plant and its new roots is easy! If you plan on growing a very large root system, stop using the lid as the root system progresses. Plus, the clear tubes allow you to monitor progress. Click on the image or link for the current price:

Desktop Plant Terrarium Propagation Station- 3 Pcs Tabletop Glass Planter Water Planting Glass Vase with Lid & Wooden Stand for Growing Hydroponic Plants Home Office Table Decoration

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