In the beginning, cuttings of a rubber plant can be propagated in water. It is a significant method as it needs little, including clean water and propagation glassware or jars. You can leave these cuttings in water until the time when new roots start to develop.
After they grow in their length by one or two inches, you can transplant the root cuttings into soil pots. This will enable them to root out fully.
For the cuttings of the stem, you will have to place the branch tip’s cut end into a cool and clean water jar. Later, you can keep it in front of a bright window where it will get a lot of indirect light.
You can do the same for the cutting of leaf nodes. Just make sure the whole portion of the stem is dipped in the water while the leaf sticks out. This process of water propagation of a rubber plant goes on for two months after you start noticing some change. You must plan to change the water every week to avoid rot or mold.
Look out for white, small bumps appearing on the submerged stems. They are the start of fresh root nodules, and they will continue to grow long as time passes.
How to propagate rubber plants in water
Before you propagate a rubber plant in water, you will require certain supplies. The first thing will be a pair of pruners, scissors, or snippers, and it is important that you utilize garden shears as the stem of the rubber plant that needs cutting is thick.
Secondly, you will need some cotton rounds and rubbing alcohol to disinfect the garden shears before and after pruning.
These disinfectants prevent any disease on the shears or from the outside from affecting the rubber plant.
In addition, the cotton round must be clean enough to cut the stem of the rubber because the plant oozes a milky substance called sap. Lastly, you will require a pot full of water for the procedure of water propagation.
If you want a cost-effective and enjoyable method of multiplying your rubber plants, you have to take cuttings from the rubber plant. You can then propagate easily in water. This is an extremely reliable method. Besides, you will be successful as you start noticing roots which is a great way to propagate rubber plants in water.
To be successful in your first attempt, you have to follow the procedure of propagation. For this method, you will require a cutting of a rubber plant. However, you need to be careful and remove or eliminate the leaves to enable the stem to comfortably sit in water. Another thing that you need is a full water glass container.
All you will have to do is to take your cutting and place it inside the glass jar. There is a decanter range that is perfectly suitable for this procedure. You will succeed if you make sure that the stem cutting’s bottom is not in contact with the container’s bottom. This is because of the fact that it will resist and stop the growth of roots when it is squashed against glass.
The next thing that you have to do is be patient. Proper results may take up to two to three months to become prominent.
The first sign that you will start to notice is some roots appearing at the stem’s bottom. You can place it in a warm place around your home, like a bedroom window that gets a lot of sunlight and remains warm.
Step by step procedure of propagating a rubber plant
- Clipping the right stem from a mother plant
In this process, you will have cut the mother of the rubber plant. However, remember to prune its branch just above its leaves as it will enable the development of the roots.
- Submerging the clipping into a water pot
After you cut the rubber plant, you will have to see the oozing of the sap. Then, you will have to submerge its trimmed branch in the water as it is where the roots will start developing.
- Placing the pot in a bright light
Later you will have to place the jar under bright sunlight. But, the light from the sun must come indirectly. It is crucial to use windows that face south, west, or east. The water needs to top up to the branch as the roots will begin to develop. You must ensure to change the water of the pot frequently.
- Speeding the process up by adding pothos to the jar
If you have pothos in your jar, you can speed up the process of water propagation of your rubber plant. This is one of the methods to help the rubber plant develop its roots quickly.
- Checking the root’s development every few weeks
In a few weeks, you will notice tiny roots on the rubber plant’s branches. Within a month, you will see that the roots have become healthy for repotting.
- Re-potting the plant with soil after the roots become developed
Before you re-pot the plant, you need to ensure that the rubber plant’s roots will grow up to one to two inches long. This will ensure that the plant will grow when you re-pot it into the soil.
When is the right time to water propagate a rubber plant?
Propagating a rubber plant with water will be beneficial during the warm months. This is why it is best to start at the beginning of spring and the end of the summer months. It will mean that the weather will be warm, and the water propagation will have the right balance.
As a result, your cutting will have a higher success rate of growing into roots. Moreover, your cutting will get the right amount of sunlight during these summer months.
Final thoughts
For propagating a rubber plant in water, you have to prune or cut the main plant.
And, after you keep it in water under indirect bright sunlight, the roots of your rubber plant will appear in no time. Later, you can re-pot it into the soil.
