There is a Begonia variety to suit every houseplant enthusiast, whether they prefer flowers or foliage. Gathering them all is a compulsive activity! A large majority of Begonias, whether you’re interested in spreading the Begonia love or simply adding more plants to your collection, are extremely simple to propagate.
The following is a comprehensive guide on how to propagate Begonias and turn one plant into multiples at no cost.
Taking a cutting from a Begonia
Taking a cutting from your Begonia can be done in a variety of ways. A common method is to cut a piece of the plant off and then plant it in a new location, but did you know that Begonia plants are capable of reproducing from just a single leaf?
Let’s take a look at the various methods for removing a Begonia cutting.
- The most common method of propagating a houseplant is by taking a stem cutting. Begonias are popular houseplants because of their cane-like stems, which sprout leaves.
As shown in the image below, snip off an inch or two of stems with some leaves attached and you’ll be all set for success. Even if it isn’t the stem’s tip, a 2-inch piece will do. - Begonias are the only plants that make it possible to take a leaf cutting. The easiest way to do this is to cut a large, healthy leaf at the stem.
- Rhizome cuttings are a lot like stem cuttings in that they do not necessitate removing the leaves. As long as the pieces have growth nodes, Rhizomatous Begonias can produce new leaves and roots even if you cut the rhizome into 2″ pieces.
Cuttings of Begonia can be used to start new plants.
The spread of water
Taking stem cuttings from your Begonia will make propagation a cinch. Because I adore the aesthetic of plants growing in pretty vases, I prefer to propagate in water. It’s possible to make propagation look beautiful with a variety of special sets!
It’s simple to water propagate your Begonia by partially submerging the stem in the water while keeping the leaves exposed. In order to ensure that the plant thrives, place the vase or glass containing it in a well-lit and warm area. Begonias aren’t fans of full sun, and water in a clear container can heat up quickly.
The roots of your Begonia cuttings will begin to grow within a few days or weeks, depending on the season and the circumstances. Congrats!
Pot up the new plants in some light but rich soil (peat moss mixed with perlite works well) and keep them moist but not soggy. After a short adjustment period, they should be able to adapt to the new environment and continue to grow.
The spread of weeds in the soil
Some people prefer soil-based propagation because it prevents the vulnerable mini plants from having difficulty adjusting to the soil after being in the water.
Just fill a few small pots with the same light but rich soil and insert the cuttings about halfway into them. Moisture should only be applied sparingly to the soil. Voilà!
If you can’t see if the cuttings are rooting, you won’t know if they’re doing well for the first few weeks. It’s normal for the leaves to droop as the stem tries to establish a root network. There is no need to be alarmed! You’ll know you’ve successfully propagated a plant when you see its first leaf.
Grow Begonias from leaf cuttings
Leaves in their entirety
If you want to propagate your Begonia from leaves, which is possible with most houseplant varieties, the simplest method is to use a plastic seedling tray. After all, the seedlings will be quite small at first.
In this case, the simplest solution is to use the leaves in their entirety. The petiole is the part of the leaf stem that connects the leaf to the stem of the plant. If you’ve got any rooting hormone handy, use that.
Alternatively, you can pin the leaf to the ground so that the petiole is in contact with the soil but isn’t completely submerged. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can even make small cuts/nicks in each leaf vein to encourage new growth from more than just the petiole.
Your leaves can be placed on a windowsill or in a germination station when they are ready (covered mini greenhouse for starting seeds). After that, all you have to do is wait patiently while moistening the soil only slightly. In order for a seedling to thrive, it must be able to draw nutrients from the leaf and its own roots.
Parts of a leaf
A single Begonia leaf can be divided into multiple pieces, each of which can be used to grow a new Begonia. If the mother plant doesn’t have a lot of leaves, this may be a good option.
Use a sharp knife to cut the leaf into pieces, each containing a vein fragment. After that, simply follow the steps outlined above to produce a plethora of new mini Begonias!
Rhizome-based propagation of Begonia
If you opt for the rhizome method, you will need to prepare a seedling tray in the same manner as described above. There is no need to do anything more than lay the rhizome piece horizontally on the soil and then give it some stomping.
It’s done! Rhizomes can be divided into two sections, one for roots and one for new leaves, which will form a new plant.
From seed to bloom: the Begonia
Some species of begonias, particularly the outdoor varieties grown for their flowers, can be propagated from seed at home, and this is a common practice. The seeds can be a bit of a challenge, especially if they aren’t pelleted.
An added benefit is that it’s a cheap and enjoyable project, and you may be able to obtain seeds for species that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. You can buy begonia seeds over the internet.
You can start your Begonia seeds in a seedling tray with sterile soil and just sprinkle them on top of the soil. There’s no need to go overboard and bury them, though. Place the tray in a humidifier, preferably under fluorescent lighting, to keep the contents warm and moist. The seeds will spread if you don’t water them carefully; misting is probably your best bet here. Remember to be patient, as Begonias can take a long time to germinate and begin growing.
Because Begonia seeds are so difficult to space, you’ll need to carefully separate and transplant them once they’ve developed some leaf growth.
