Philodendron Micans has quickly become one of my favorite houseplants. Those velvety, heart-shaped leaves are so unique, and the plant itself is super forgiving. It’s really easy to propagate. I love being able to take one plant and turn it into several more. If you’ve been thinking about trying it, spring and summer are the best times since the plant is actively growing. Here’s exactly how I do it.
Starting from Seed (Why I Skip It)
Technically, Philodendron Micans can be grown from seed. But I’ll be honest, I don’t bother. Seeds take forever to sprout, and even if they do, you won’t end up with many plants. If you’re like me and want quicker, more reliable results, cuttings are the way to go.
Propagating from Cuttings
This is my go-to method. I start by snipping a healthy stem just below a node. That’s the little bump where a leaf grows from the stem. I like to pick a cutting that has at least three leaves so it has enough energy to get started. Once I have my cutting, I decide whether I want to root it in water or straight in soil.
Rooting in Water
I love water propagation because you get to actually watch the roots grow. I place my cutting into a jar of fresh water, ensuring the node is submerged while the leaves remain above the water. Then I set the jar in a warm, bright spot out of direct sun. I change the water every few days, and within a couple of weeks, I start seeing little roots forming. Once they’re about an inch long, I gently move the cutting into the soil so it can keep growing.
Rooting in Growing Media
Sometimes I skip the water step and root my cuttings directly in sphagnum moss or vermiculite. To maintain high humidity, I loosely cover the cutting with a plastic bag, creating a makeshift greenhouse effect. As long as I keep the medium damp (but not soggy), roots usually appear within a few weeks. When they’re nice and strong, I transfer the cutting into regular potting soil.
Layering Method
Another trick I’ve tried is layering. This one’s fun because you don’t even cut the plant right away. Instead, I take a long stem, bend it down into a small pot or trench of soil, and cover part of it so the nodes are touching the soil. After a few weeks, roots form right there on the buried part of the stem. Once I see enough roots, I snip the new section away from the parent plant and pot it up on its own.
Caring for New Plants
Regardless of the method I use, I always keep my Micans in bright, indirect light while they establish themselves. I water lightly at first, just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and watch for signs of new growth. Once they start putting out fresh leaves, I know they’re settled and ready to thrive.
