Garden

16 Indoor Plants that Grow From Just One Leaf

Written by Emily Belkoff

Want more plants but tired of spending so much money at the store? 

I was too, until I learned this amazing trick – you can grow new plants from just one leaf! 

It’s super easy, saves tons of money, and I’m going to show you exactly how to do it.

16 Plants You Can Grow From a Leaf

1. Pothos

I started my propagation journey with pothos, and let me tell you – it’s perfect for beginners! All you need is a healthy leaf with its petiole (that’s the stem part) and a node (the bumpy part where roots grow).

You can pop it in water or soil – I prefer water because my kids love watching the roots develop. Within just a few weeks, those magical white roots start appearing!

2. Philodendron

This is another foolproof plant that’s perfect for busy moms. Just take a leaf with a short stock attached and choose your growing method.

I’ve had success with both water and soil propagation. Those roots emerge so reliably, I’ve started gifting baby plants to all my friends!

3. Jade Plant

Now, this one taught me patience! The key is letting your leaf dry for 5-6 days before doing anything else.

After the drying period, simply place it in soil and wait. Trust me, seeing those tiny roots emerge is worth every moment of waiting.

4. Rubber Plant

My rubber plant propagation success came as a total surprise! You can choose either water or well-draining soil as your growing medium.

The process couldn’t be simpler, and before you know it, those roots will form into a brand new plant.

5. Wandering Jew

This might be the fastest-growing plant I’ve ever propagated! All it needs is a leaf with a node attached.

Pop it in moist soil or water, and prepare to be amazed by its rapid growth.

6. African Violet

These sweet little plants have a special place in my heart. The secret is using the right growing medium – a soil-perlite mix works wonders.

Just make sure you start with a healthy leaf, and nature will do the rest.

7. Snake Plant

This is one of my favorite propagation projects. Start by making a V-shaped cut at the bottom of a mature leaf.

Plant it in well-draining succulent mix, and watch your new snake plant baby develop.

8. Peperomia

Looking for the perfect desk plant to propagate? Peperomia is your answer! Just make sure you have a leaf with its petiole attached.

These little beauties are perfect for brightening up your workspace.

9. Hoya (Heart-shaped)

These adorable plants follow a similar propagation process to Peperomia. Their heart-shaped leaves make the cutest desk companions!

10. Senecio

This succulent requires a bit of prep work. Let your leaf dry for 1-2 days until it forms a callous.

Once ready, place it in well-draining succulent soil. In just a few weeks, you’ll see roots forming.

11. ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant requires a small portion of petiole attached to your leaf cutting. Give it one day to dry out.

Plant it in well-draining potting mix and practice patience – this one takes time but rewards you beautifully.

12. Panda Plant

These fuzzy-leaved beauties need a short drying period of 1-2 days to form a callous. Place them in moist cactus or succulent soil.

Within a few weeks, roots will form, and you’ll see baby plants emerging from the leaf base.

13. Chinese Money Plant

These pancake-shaped leaves need their petiole attached for successful propagation. You can choose between moist potting soil or water propagation.

Within weeks, tiny baby Chinese money plants will emerge, ready to bring good fortune to your home.

14. Echeveria

Known for their beautiful rosette shape, these succulents need 1-2 days of drying time. Place them in well-draining succulent soil.

Soon enough, tiny roots and baby plants will form at the leaf base.

15. Burro’s Tail

This trailing succulent starts with just one plump leaf. Allow it to callus for 1-2 days before placing it in moist succulent soil.

Before you know it, roots and baby plants will form at the leaf base.

16. Oxalis (Shamrock Plant)

These delicate beauties need a leaf with petiole attached. Choose either water or moist soil as your growing medium.

Within weeks, roots will form, giving you a brand new Oxalis plant.

Basic Care Requirements

Successful leaf propagation comes down to a few key factors. Always select healthy leaves and check for nodes or petioles when required.

Give succulents proper drying time – this step is crucial for their survival. Different plants need different soil mixes, so pay attention to what your specific plant prefers.

Hi! I'm Emily!

I'm a mom who's passionate about creating beautiful gardens without the hassle. Here, I share simple tips that actually work for busy people like us.

From picking the right plants to making them thrive, I'll help you create an outdoor space you'll love!

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