How to Propagate a Swedish Ivy Plant - How to Take Cuttings

It is simple to grow Swedish ivy from seed. Stem or leaf cuttings can be used to grow new plants. Although the propagation medium is preferred in order to develop a robust root system, these cuttings can be rooted in either water or it. You can grow a ton of new plants with some time and patience to use as gifts or to decorate your home.

You can quickly become an expert at propagation with the help of this fast-growing, low-maintenance plant.
The Swedish ivy plant, Plectranthus verticillatus, is resurfacing in the United States., and for good reason. It is a quick-growing plant that seems eager to spread, and its bright green, scalloped-edged foliage looks adorable cascading over bookshelves. Additionally, the plant's delicate white flowers are a welcome surprise.

Swedish Ivy Plant Propagation

Swedish Ivy can be water propagated, which is by far the simplest and most entertaining method of doing so. Take as many stem cuttings as you like, keeping in mind that the more you have, the more full-bodied your new plant will appear after being potted. Your mother plant's growth will be stimulated by this trim, which will also make it appear fuller.

Multiple cuttings can be made from a single stem depending on its length, but we'd prefer 4-5-inch sections.
Due to its numerous growing nodes along the stem, Swedish ivy can take root almost anywhere. A few leaves should be present on stem cuttings, excluding the portion that will be submerged in water.

Prepared cuttings should be loosely tied together to facilitate later repotting. Put the cutting bundle in the water and wait. The good news is that you won't have to wait long. It takes as little as 24 hours for Swedish ivy to start rooting. Don't give up if it takes longer.

Maintain fresh water by at least replacing it once a week. While it is rooted in water, medium light will do. It's time to plant your new roots in some new soil when they are between one and two inches long.
They should be planted in a small pot with good drainage, and as the plant's roots start to get crowded out, the pot size should be gradually increased. And then repeat!

Taking the Cutting

For best results, cut your plants in the spring or the fall. Before taking the cuttings, put on gloves and safety goggles, and sanitize your pruners or scissors in Lysol or rubbing alcohol.

Just below a leaf node, cut a 3- to 5-inch stem from the plant. Generally speaking, choose a thinner stem because it will root more readily than a thicker stem. For starting in perlite or a sterile potting mix when the parent plant is still relatively small, a 2- to 3-inch tip cutting taken from a healthy stem will do.

Remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the stem whether rooting in water or potting soil. If desired, mash it in rooting agent.

Starting in Water

The best plants for water-based propagation are Swedish ivy and ferns. Start by sterilizing the container. Immerse the cutting for 10 minutes in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. After a thorough rinse, let it air dry.

The cutting should be put inside the container after it has been filled with clean, room-temperature water. Remove the cutting, pinch off any leaves that are below the water, and then re-insert it. Put the container in a warm area with filtered light that is bright. Every three to four days, or if it starts to get cloudy, change the water.

In one to two weeks, roots should start to show. After giving the roots another week to grow, plant it in a potting mix with good drainage.

Sprouting in Soil

Use a mixture of water and bleach to sterilize a small flowerpot. Fill the pot with moist potting soil, or make your own by mixing equal parts coconut coir or peat moss, compost, and perlite. Rinse and let it air dry. Make a hole in the mixture using a pencil after thoroughly moistening.

Place the cutting in and firmly press the mixture around the stem. With a plastic bag, plastic or glass cloche, completely enclose the pot and the cutting. Put it in filtered, bright light. The potting mix needs to be kept moist but not soggy by watering infrequently.

Remove the cover as soon as new growth appears. In a warm area, keep the new plant away from drafts. When the plant outgrows the smaller flowerpot, move it into a bigger container.

How Do You Care for Swedish Ivy Plant?

Light: Do you know if Swedish Ivy likes the sun? I guess that's the answer. If you want to see it bloom, bright indirect light is preferred. Even a tiny bit of direct light is acceptable, but make sure to keep an eye out for any leaf burning or darkening.
Soil: This plant thrives in a straightforward, well-draining potting soil. If you happen to have some available, it wouldn't mind a little extra drainage in the form of perlite or vermiculite.
Water: How often should Swedish ivy be watered? You must let the soil dry out between waterings if you want to keep the plant alive. A plant's death may result from root rot in persistently wet soil. It's time to give the leaves a good soak if you notice that they are starting to wilt and look a little lighter in color.
Fertilizer: You should provide them with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season because they grow quickly. Utilize a diluted fertilizer every two weeks in the spring and summer. After that, if they are still growing, reduce this to monthly.
Repotting/Trimming: Being somewhat root-bound is not a problem for Swedish ivy. However, it's probably time to pot them on if the roots begin to protrude from the bottom. Generally speaking, you should use a pot that is about two inches bigger than the previous one. To prevent this vining plant from looking too leggy after the flowering period, pinch off or trim the ends.

Conclusion

Keep the area around your swedish ivy cuttings very humid. Put clear plastic over the propagation tray or frequently mist the cuttings with water. Set up the plastic so that air can circulate around the cuttings. You can keep your new plants free of disease issues thanks to this ventilation.