If you can get your hands on this luscious, velvety plant, you won’t regret it. Philodendron Micans are known for their beautiful trailing growth and deep green fuzzy leaves. They look beautiful in a hanging planter, or propped up with a moss pole. Best of all, they’re easy to take care of and fast growers.
With their recent popularity, finding Philodendron Micans at your local garden center or nursery is getting harder and harder. So if you do manage to get a hold of one, you should also learn how to propagate it so you can enjoy this plant for years to come.
The propagation of Philodendron Micans cuttings take 10 days to root in water, 1-2 weeks for air layering with sphagnum moss, and 1-3 weeks to root in soil.
How Long Does Philodendron Propagation Take?
There are over 400 species of Philodendrons worldwide, and many of them are grown as indoor houseplants. This species is also a rapid grower. Philodendrons can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) a week in the spring and summer.
Since they grow quickly, they also propagate quickly too! The fastest propagation method is by rooting a cutting in water. The time it takes for a cutting to develop roots this way can be as little as 10 days in optimal conditions.
Soil cuttings always take longer than water cuttings to root. In general, Micans can begin to grow roots in soil anywhere between 1-3 weeks. But sometimes it can take up to a month.
Air layering propagation is a bit different since it doesn’t involve cuttings. This method is usually relatively quick, which is why it’s so popular. Roots can begin growing from the plant node in 1-2 weeks.
Let’s look at each propagation method in depth, so you can learn how to propagate Micans yourself!
How to Propagate Micans in Water
The best time to propagate Philodendron Micans is during the growing season, spring and summer. Water propagation is the most popular method of propagating these plants. It’s easy, has a moderate success rate, and many plant lovers enjoy seeing the roots develop through the water.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Take a cutting from your Micans. Do this by cutting away a piece of the stem right above the node. This will allow your plant to eventually grow new stems from the node.
- Trim your cutting into 1-inch sections. Each individual cutting should have a node and 1-2 healthy leaves.
- Place your cuttings in a jar of fresh water on a windowsill with bright light. Change the water every week.
- Within 1-3 weeks, roots will begin to form.
- Let the roots grow to an inch or more in size. Then, plant them in fresh, moistened soil and wait for your new Micans to sprout leaves.
How to Propagate Micans in Soil
Although water propagation is faster, soil propagation tends to have more success. When roots form in water, they are accustomed to getting nutrients from the water. They don’t grow as strong and sometimes have trouble adapting to the soil.
Soil roots take longer but grow stronger. If you can handle the wait, here’s how to propagate Micans in soil:
- Prepare a small pot with pre-moistened potting soil.
- Take a cutting from the stem of an existing Philodendron Micans plant.
- Bury the node of the cutting underneath the soil. Position the leaves above the soil. If necessary, you can prop up the leaves with a small stake to keep them in place.
- Place the pot on a windowsill that receives indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not soaked. You can place a plastic bag over the pot to keep the humidity in.
- In 3 weeks, tug at the cutting to see if the roots have taken hold in the soil. If you feel resistance, then the propagation is successful!
Propagating Micans in Sphagnum Moss
Using sphagnum moss to propagate plants is a recent trend but can be very effective. This technique is also called air layering. It uses the nutrients and water from moss to encourage the growth of aerial roots at the nodes. Once stems start to grow from the nodes, then you take a cutting and root it in the soil.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Find a node on your Micans plant, preferably one attached to several healthy leaves.
- Wrap the node in moistened sphagnum moss.
- Wrap the sphagnum moss in plastic wrap to keep it in place and lock in the moisture.
- In as little as 2 weeks, aerial roots will begin forming from the nodes. Once roots are healthy and at least 1 inch long, you can cut the stem from the mother plant.
- Plant the cutting with the roots into a fresh pot of soil and let it grow!
Why Are My Cuttings Rotting in Water?
The leading cause of rotten cuttings in water is a lack of oxygen. When water sits stagnant for too long, it becomes depleted of oxygen.
Stagnant water lacking oxygen attracts bacteria and slimy fungus that can harm your plant. Even though water cuttings need to be in sunlight, the bacteria multiply faster in warm water. This bacteria and fungus will eventually cause your roots to rot.
One way to combat bacterial and fungal growth is to add 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to your 8 oz water jar. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural germ killer but won’t harm your plant.
Why is My Philodendron Not Rooting?
There are a few reasons why your Micans cutting is not rooting. It could be as simple as trying to propagate your plant at the wrong time of year. Spring and summer are best because this is when the plant is in its growing season. Roots are not as active in the fall and winter and may rot instead of rooting.
A lack of sunlight is another reason why cuttings often do not root. Light gives the cuttings the energy to produce new roots. If your home lacks good bright light, you can install a grow light for your cuttings to help them along.
How Do You Make Micans Bushy?
Trailing plants are beautiful, but since they like to grow longer rather than wider, they can look a bit scraggly. A bushy Micans is possible; it will just take a bit of technique!
The easiest and quickest way to get a bushier-looking Micans is to reshape your current plant. Simply take one of the vines with a node, and plant the node end down in the soil. You may need a stake and rope to keep it in place. After a time, the node will eventually become rooted in the soil and may even produce new stems!
Another method is to plant cuttings directly into the same pot as the mother plant. Eventually, they will grow into full stems with leaves and fill out your plant.
Another option is to regularly prune your plant. Pruning away leggy stems or dying leaves will refocus your plants’ energy on putting out new growth.
Should a Micans Trail or Climb?
The great thing about Philodendrons like Micans is that they can do both! The look of a trailing Philodendron hanging from a planter is undoubtedly charming. However, they can easily break off if nudged the wrong way. Remember that Philodendrons are toxic for cats and dogs, so they shouldn’t be hanging within their reach.
Philodendrons can also be trained to climb upwards on a moss pole or trellis. If you love the look of foliage as decor, you can train your Micans to crawl along the wall.
Simply install adhesive hooks along your wall to hold the plant up as it grows. It will start to latch onto the surface of the wall over time. Wood and brick are easiest due to the texture, but drywall will work too!
Summary
Propagating the elusive and beautiful Philodendron Micans is a sure way to keep this plant in your collection for years. Thankfully, it is a fast grower and, therefore, very responsive to propagation.
Philodendron Micans cuttings propagated in water take 10 days to root, air layering with sphagnum moss can take 1-2 weeks, and soil cuttings take the longest to root at 1-3 weeks.
Water propagation is the most straightforward method of propagation for Philodendron Micans. Roots can take as little as 10 days to grow in water. Soil propagation usually has more success but can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Air layering with sphagnum moss is a little more involved but can quickly produce roots in as little as 1-2 weeks.
You can experiment with one or all of these methods and find which works best for you!