Air Layering

Air layering can be used to propagate large, overgrown house plants such as the rubber plant or dieffenbachia that have lost most of their lower leaves and for some shrubs. The process varies depending on whether the plant is a monocot or dicot. Most shrubs are dicots; houseplants can be either a monocots or a dicot.

For monocots, make an upward cut about one third through the stem. This is normally done on a stem about 1 foot from the tip. The cut is held open with a toothpick or wooden match stick. Surround the wound with damp, unmilled sphagnum moss. Wrap the moss with plastic and hold in place with twist ties or electrician’s tape. Aluminum foil can also be used; it does not require twist ties or tape to hold it in place.

The process for dicots is similar except a 1 inch ring of bark is removed from the stem. Scrap the newly bared ring to remove the cambial tissue to prevent a bridge of callus tissue from forming. Wrap and cover using the same procedure as that described for monocots.

After the rooting medium is filled with roots, sever the stem below the medium. The new plant will require some pampering until the root system becomes more developed after potting.

Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference