The Swiss cheese plant is a highly popular house plant that has simply blossomed in popularity in recent years. This beautiful plant features striking leaves with a series of holes in them, and helps to add an air of sophistication to a home.
If you have a variegated Swiss cheese plant and want to get more, the best way to do this is by using a propagation method.
But how do you propagate a Swiss cheese plant?
Today, we’re going to cover everything that you need to know about propagating your very own Swiss cheese plant. We’re going to cover 3 of the best methods for doing so, so that you can have the best chance of success.
We’re also going to include some tips and tricks to help you get the best possible results.
What Is The Best Method For Propagating A Swiss Cheese Plant?
The good news is that propagating your Swiss cheese plant is fairly easy to do when you know how. There are actually 3 different methods for you to use, and it mostly comes down to personal preference as to which is the best for your needs.
No matter what species of Swiss cheese plant you have in your home, each of these methods will be perfectly suitable.
If you’re new to propagation, then the best and easiest method for you to follow is the water method. This is a fairly straightforward method that even beginners will be able to succeed at without too much hassle.
Don’t want to have to follow lots of different stages? Then the soil method will be the best propagation method for you.
The soil propagation method doesn’t require as many steps to be followed, which makes it perfect for those who want to get things done quickly.
Want to get a hardy plant that will be more durable? Have experience working with air layering and airoids? Then the moss method will be the best option for you.
Does It Take Long To Propagate A Swiss Cheese Plant?
The length it takes to propagate your Swiss cheese plant will differ depending on which method you have opted for. Some methods will take longer, whereas others won’t take too long at all.
If you opt for the water propagation method, then you will find that your Swiss cheese plant starts to develop roots within a couple of weeks, or up to a couple of months.
Opting for the soil propagation method will mean that you will be waiting between 1 to 3 months to see any roots or new growth start to sprout on your Swiss cheese plant.
It will be important to stay patient so that your Swiss cheese plant has time to develop that new growth.
By opting for the moss propagation method, you will find that it can take around 2 to 3 weeks at the earliest to start sprouting roots and other foliage. It can take up to 1 month before the roots start to develop on your Swiss cheese plant.
So we now know a little bit more about each of the propagation methods. But what about looking at these propagation methods in more detail to help you choose the best method for your needs?
Propagating A Swiss Cheese Plant Using The Water Method
Want a super easy propagation method to follow that won’t require much equipment to get started? Then the water propagation method will be the best choice for you!
This propagation method is ideal for beginners who are new to propagation and want to ensure that they get things right.
The only thing to bear in mind is that your propagated Swiss cheese plant could be at risk of contracting root rot if you don’t make sure to monitor it occasionally.
Method To Follow
1.First you need to select a stem on your fully established Swiss cheese plant that you wish to transplant. You will need to make sure that you select one that has a leaf or 2, as well as 1 or 2 nodes. The nodes are where the new growth will appear.
2.Using a clean set of shears or a sharp razor blade, you can make the cutting on your selected stem. It will be best to use a sharp implement that can make a clean cut. Make sure to sanitize the blades between cuttings using isopropyl alcohol. If there is any bacteria on the blades of your chosen cutting implement, this can infect your cutting and kill it off before it’s had a chance to grow.
3.When it comes to making the cutting on your chosen Swiss cheese plant stem, you will need to ensure that you cut the stem around an inch below where you will be placing the last node in your pot of water.
4.Next, you will need to place your Swiss cheese plant cutting in your vase full of water. This water will need to be slightly warmer than room temperature, and you will need to make sure that each node you have left on the cutting will be underneath the water so that the roots can grow properly.
5.Make sure to cut off any leaves that would be underneath the water as these will rot.
6.Once you have prepped your stem and placed it in your vase, you will need to find the perfect place for it to grow. This will need to be a sunny, warm area that has plenty of air circulation and indirect sunlight.
7.Lastly, you will need to remember to change the water in the vase each week. This is so that your Swiss cheese plant can have plenty of fresh oxygen, as it will be crucial for healthy development of the roots.
When Will Roots Form In Water?
You will start to notice roots developing within the water around the 4 to 6 week mark. The roots should be around 4 inches in length, and there may be a new leaf along the Swiss cheese plant stem.
You can now think about transplanting your cutting into soil as it will be robust enough to survive.
Can Your Swiss Cheese Plant Stay In Water Indefinitely?
In theory, your Swiss cheese plant could stay in water for the rest of its life. However, there are a few things that you will need to bear in mind with this.
You will need to ensure that you are giving the roots the proper amount of air circulation and sunlight that they need to stay happy and healthy.
You will also need to move your Swiss cheese plant to a much larger container every now and then to ensure that the roots have room to grow.
So you could leave it in water if you would prefer, however, you may find it easier to move the Swiss cheese plant to a pot full of soil if you wanted to avoid any root rot.
Propagating A Swiss Cheese Plant Using The Soil Method
In terms of propagating plants, the soil method is one of the most popular methods to use. This goes for Swiss cheese plants, too, and this is one of the best methods to use if you want something reliable.
You will have to wait slightly longer to see roots develop than if you opted for the water method, but this is still a tried and trusted method that you can rely on.
Method To Follow
1. Just as with the water method, you will need to select a healthy stem with a node or 2, as well as a leaf or 2 for you to propagate.
2. Using a sharp, sanitized set of shears or blade, make a clean cut around an inch below the node you wish to include.
3. In a pot with the prepared potting soil, you can then push your Swiss cheese plant cutting so that it is down below the soil line. You will need to ensure that the node is below the surface of soil, as this is where the roots will sprout from.
4. In terms of choosing the right potting soil, it will be best to opt for one that drains well. You may also want to add some perlite or peat moss to your potting soil so that it is well aerated. This will be essential for your roots, as they will need lots of air circulation.
5. Once you have potted your cutting, you will need to place the plant pot in an area of your home that gets lots of sunlight. Your Swiss cheese plant will need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
6. Water your new cutting thoroughly so that it soaks through the soil. Allow the soil to drain completely. Make sure to keep the soil moist within the first couple of weeks.
7. To give your Swiss cheese plant the humidity that it craves, you can create a DIY greenhouse using a plastic bag and wooden supports. The only thing to bear in mind is that you will need to remove this plastic bag when you water your Swiss cheese plant, otherwise it could encourage root rot if the soil were to become too wet.
When Will Roots Form In Soil?
You should notice new roots and leaves starting to form after a couple of weeks. You will be able to transplant your Swiss cheese plant to another pot of soil after around 3 months, as this will have been plenty of time for the Swiss cheese plant to establish itself.
Soil Or Water: Which Propagation Method Is Best?
It will ultimately come down to your personal preference. There are several factors to consider here, as it will depend on what method you find easier.
A lot of gardeners prefer to use the soil method, as this will get the Swiss cheese plant used to soil conditions.
Some people find that after transplanting a Swiss cheese plant cutting that uses the water method, the roots sometimes don’t take to the soil.
You will need to ensure that you water the soil thoroughly after transplanting your cutting from the water so that it will become acclimatized to the soil.
Propagating A Swiss Cheese Plant Using The Moss Method
Lastly, you can use the moss method to help you propagate your Swiss cheese plant. This is one of the lesser known methods, as it requires a little knowledge of air layering to find the best results.
How this moss method works is that the moss is able to act like a soil medium, which then absorbs the water you use. Moss can be particularly easy to locate online, too.
Method To Follow
1. First you will need to make your cutting, following the same method as above. Use a clean, sanitized blade to make a clean cut, and make sure to include around 1 to 2 leaves and nodes on your cutting.
2. Next, you will need to fully wrap the lower portion of the Swiss cheese plant stem so that it is completely covered, and doesn’t let any air in. You will need to cover the 1 or 2 nodes of your cutting, where the roots will form.
3. You will then need to water the moss, and wrap your cutting in plastic wrap so that it can start to form the humid environment that it requires to thrive.
4. You will need to remove this plastic wrap at least once a week to check how moist the moss is. Add more water if needed to prevent the moss from drying out. Make sure that the moss is evenly moist, but without being completely sodden with water.
5. Once the roots have started to form, you can then remove them from the moss, and plant them in soil. Similar to the cutting methods that we have mentioned above, you will need to plant it in well draining, aerated soil. Water the soil thoroughly, and place the plant pot in a well lit area of your home that is warm.
When Will Roots Form In Moss?
You will notice roots starting to form around 2 to 3 weeks after you’ve used the moss method. It can take up to a month for the new roots and leaves to start appearing, providing that the moss has been kept moist enough.
This is arguably one of the more temperamental methods, but is worth giving it a go if you’re used to using the moss method for other plants.
In Summary
So there you have it! You now know that there are 3 main methods for you to use when it comes to propagating your Swiss cheese plant. These include the water method, the soil method, and the moss method.
Each of these methods will be excellent at getting your Swiss cheese plant to sprout new growth including roots and leaves.
However, when it comes time to transplant your fresh cutting into its own plant pot, you will need to water it thoroughly so that the roots can become used to soil conditions.
The soil method uses a couple more steps than the water or moss methods, but it also means that the plant will be used to soil. Make sure that you select well draining potting soil that is also well aerated.
The moss method is an excellent choice for those who are used to air layering and want to try something a little different.
Hi, my name is Amy Enrich and I have had a keen green thumb since my parents first taught me how to sow a sunflower seed. The process of watching it grow from seed to sprout, sprout to shoot, and then to a full-blown plant is a wonderful sight - I never get bored of it!
I love talking to anyone who will listen about plants, different varieties, how to look after them, and more. That is why I have created Plant Vessel, to help other plant lovers look after their new family members properly and keep them thriving!
Please stick around and enjoy my plant content, and don’t blame me if it influences you to go and buy some more plants!
