Make Christmas Gifts from Your Own Houseplants

You may not know it, but your houseplants are your own private source for growing an unlimited amount of new plants.

To grow a new plant from an old one, you need to take a clipping. For stemmy plants, clip a branch end about four inches long. Do the same for hanging stems. If you are trimming back a plant to encourage new, thicker growth, save these trimmings to start new plants. Additionally, a healthy leaf with a good stem on it cut from a plant should root for a new planting. For running plants, like spider plants, it is the small plantlets you will clip and use. Cut the stemmy 'umbilical' runner and root the entire plantlet from these types of plants.

The method the past generations have used for years is the simplest method for rooting plants. After you have taken a clipping from your mother plant, simply put the clipping in a small vase, glass or jar full of water and place the jar on a sunny window sill. For small clippings or clippings without much of a stem, use a container with a narrow opening so the plant does not fall into the water. After a few weeks, the plant will send out new roots. Once you see a decent amount of root growth (one or more inches), transplant into a small pot with potting soil.

This age old technique works well for most houseplants, but true growers will recommend more involved methods. Many feel that rooting in a moist mixture of peat moss, sand and rooting hormone gives plants a stronger start, with roots that can better adapt to soil living when transplanted. To root clippings this way, mix one part sand to two parts moss in a plastic bag or pot. Dip the root end of the clippings in rooting hormone and push gently into the mix about two or three inches deep. Try to keep the clippings far enough apart so that the leaves do not touch, reducing the chance of rot. Mist the plant leaves and close the bag with a tie (or cover the pot with a plastic bag). Keep the plants in bright light, but not full sun. The closed plantings will self water.

When plant roots are about an inch long, open up the bag. Let the plants acclimate to room conditions for about a week. The young plants can now be transplanted into pots.

An alternative planting method for spider plants and similar easy-growing runners that requires no transplanting is to root the plantlet directly into pots set near the mother plant. Do not clip the baby plants before planting. Simply set the attached plantlet on top of a pot filled with moistened soil. Gently push a bobby pin or paper clip over the umbilical to hold the plant in place. Spider plants root easily. The plant will send new roots down into the soil. After a few weeks, the plant should be well rooted into the new pot. Clip the umbilical. You now have a new, young, independent plant.

Whatever rooting method you choose, remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you are unsure of your plant propagating skills, try the water rooting method. It will cost you absolutely nothing, but it may (and probably will) provide you with an abundance of new plantings.

To dress up small plants for gift giving, tie a nice holiday bow around the pot or choose another festive embellishment. Place smaller pots inside Christmas mugs, circle with wrapping paper and a bow or gather a nice holiday fabric around the pot and tie it with a bow. Add small potted plants to open-top gift boxes or baskets and cushion the ride with some raffia. Placing the pot inside a festive poly treat bag (with top open or plenty of room for the foliage) is a simple, pretty and clean way to transport your gifts.

Christmas gifts of young clipped and potted plants are an inexpensive way to make many presents for giving to teachers, family, neighbors and friends. A plant is a present sure to be enjoyed by anyone, a gift that, with care, will continue to grow and be enjoyed for years to come.