Philodendron selloum is one of the simplest tropical houseplants to propagate in soil and water.
These evergreens can get so big that trimming the stems from time to time may be necessary to keep their height and size in check.
So, instead of chucking the stem cuttings into the trash, you should use them to grow new plants.
To make things even better, philodendron selloum can be propagated from the divisions, offshoots, or plantlets that develop next to the mother plant in the container itself.
Take six-inch cuttings from the rooting stems of Philodendron selloum with at least two leaf growth nodes. The best method of propagation is to place them in a moist soil or clean water and provide bright indirect lighting. Change the water every week and repot in a moist potting mix when the roots are a few inches long.
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Can You Grow Selloum from Cuttings?
That’s right; you can grow selloum from both rooting stem cuttings and stem cuttings. In fact, one of the greatest pleasures of owning a Philodendron selloum is propagating new plants from cuttings.
After all, you can add to your selloum collection without having to buy new plants from the store.
To propagate selloum, cut off a 6-inch section of the mature stem. Then, using sterilized heavy-duty scissors or pruning shears, make a clean cut just below a leaf node on the stem.
The plant should be large, healthy, and fully mature.
Before taking cuttings, make sure your Philodendron selloum is disease-free, pest-free, and nutrient-deficient.
The ideal selloum from which to take cuttings is one that has become root-bound.
Make good use of the stems that have been trimmed off to keep the plant from growing too large.
Remember that you must wait until the beginning of spring in order to take cuttings from your selloum plants.
This is because the longer spring and summer days are more likely to provide enough bright light to support new growth.
How Do You Propagate Philodendrons from Cuttings?
Rooting stem cuttings in water or directly in the soil is a simple method of propagating selloum.
The best time to propagate your Philodendron selloum is in the early spring, when the plant will have more daylight hours. I’ll walk you through it step by step below:
What You’ll Need:
- A sharp cutting tool – You can use a sharp, sterilized knife, heavy-duty garden scissors, or pruning shears
- Watering can
- Small pots – They should be clean, sterilized, and well-drained, preferably terracotta pots with several drainage holes at their bottoms
- Water glass or container
- Soilless potting mix
- Non-tap water (distilled or filtered water)
- Small trowel
- Rooting hormone (optional; it can be in gel, liquid, or powder form)
Philodendron selloum Propagation in Water
Selloum can be propagated in water by either rooting stem cuttings or divisions (aka plantlets or pups that emerge from the mother plant). You’ll need a cutting tool, a small pot, soilless potting mix, and rooting hormone (optional)
1- Unpot Your Philodendron selloum Plant
Your main selloum plant must be well watered the day before propagation, as a matter of course. Then, on this day, tilt your plant and remove the root ball from the container.
If it has become root-bound, that is great for propagation.
Of course, you should look for root rot in the root ball. If root rot has infiltrated the ball, you must first remove any rotten, dead, or diseased roots.
2- Separate Your Plantlets/Cuttings
Simply pull the plantlets off the mother plant at the base of the stem if the root system is healthy.
Make sure each pup has at least two roots and at least 2-3 leaf nodes/leaves. These are for direct propagation into water culture, where they will spend the majority of their lives.
Take 6-inch sections of the stems if you want to propagate them by rooting stem cuttings. Ensure that each cutting has at least 2-3 leaf growth nodes or aerial roots.
3- Clean the Roots
Shake some soil from each plantlet. You can now rinse any excess soil from each plant’s root ball.
4 – Add Rooting Hormone
If any part of the root system exhibits early signs of root rot or decay, simply soak it in a fungicide solution.
When it comes to stem cuttings, make sure to add some rooting hormones to a portion of the cutting to increase the chances of getting new roots.
5- Suspend in Clean Water
Fill a propagation glass or container with clean water now.
Tap water should be avoided because it may contain fluorides, chlorines, minerals, and other chemicals that will inhibit the growth of your new selloum. You can use old kitchen jars for this.
6- Give Proper Propagation Conditions
The most important factor is light. Make sure your water-propagated selloum is in direct, bright sunlight.
Of course, direct sunlight should be avoided because it can scorch your plant. Make certain that the temperature does not fall below 55°F (12°C).
7- Watch the Water
Keeping in mind that the water will evaporate in a brightly lit area, so you’ll need to add more. To keep the water fresh, you must change it out once a week.
More importantly, every 2-4 weeks, thoroughly clean and sterilize the container to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and algae.
8- Rooting and Transplanting
Small roots will appear two to three weeks after the propagation date. If you used rooting hormones, this should happen sooner rather than later to the stem cuttings.
You should transplant your selloum into the growing medium once the new roots are a couple of inches long. Use organic-rich, well-draining potting soil once more.
Propagating Philodendron selloum in soil
The most common way to propagate Philodendron selloum is directly in the soil. Here’s how:
1- Clean up your Philodendron selloum
Depending on your selloum’s care routine and size, you’ll probably need to clean it up a little or a lot. Remove any dead leaves, stems, or other plant matter first.
2- Take Rooting Stem Cuttings
The stem is the plant’s central axis and primary source of support. Simply grasp the main stem of your plant and pull it out of the container.
Take a cutting from a healthy part of the stem now. Make a clean 45-degree cut just above a leaf node with a sharp knife, pruners, or heavy-duty scissors.
Each stem cutting should be 3 to 6 inches long and have at least four roots attached to each leaf node.
The cut stem should be divided into several cuttings with four or more roots each.
3- Replant Mother Selloum Plant
Replant the primary plant in a new batch of potting soil with several roots. You can make your own growing medium by combining one part compost, one part orchid bark, and one part perlite or vermiculite.
Peat moss should not be used because it is too acidic for Philodendron selloum. Water it thoroughly and place it in a well-lit location.
The mother plant will eventually produce more plantlets, offshoots, or pups around the base of the main stem. They can be used for future propagation.
4- Apply Rooting Hormone
Again, this is an optional step that can do wonders for your selloum.
If your plantlet has a lot of leaves, remove the majority of them from the cutting’s bottom node. Typically, each leaf can be snapped off, leaving 3-4 leaves on each cutting.
Apply the rooting hormone to the cutting’s severed end.
5- Prepare the Rotting Mix
Fill a small pot or planting tray halfway with soilless growing media like perlite, vermiculite, or seed-starter mix. Depending on the size of the cutting, apply the soil up to a third or halfway.
Fill the container with growing medium and plant each cutting. To set the cutting upright, gently tamp the soil around it.
6- Care for your Cuttings
The stem cuttings will require either partially shaded (50/50 dappled light to shade) or bright, indirect sunlight.
It would be preferable if you did not water them more than once per week. Every cutting will eventually bear leaves.
You may find this article helpful if you’re having trouble with your plant cuttings not rooting.
The Best Conditions for Philodendron selloum Propagation
Your Philodendron selloum will thrive during propagation in the following conditions:
- Bright, Indirect Light – You should propagate it in bright, indirect, or diffused sunlight so that it gets 50-50 dappled light and shade indoors. This calls for putting it in front of a south-facing window with sheer curtains.
- The Right Pot – Use a pot made of terracotta or unglazed clay that has enough drainage holes to allow water to drain.
- Clean Pots and Tools – If you reuse a pot, you must clean it with a bleach solution. Similarly, when making cuts and cleaning up, only use sterilized tools. It is never a good idea to use tap water.
- The Right Soil Medium – Growing Philodendron sellaum calls for an organically rich, well-draining soil medium. Use one part perlite, one part compost, and one part bark orchid in your own home-made blend. Acidic soil is a no-no for it.
- The Right Amount of Water – The potting medium should be moist but not clogged or soggy. You should not water your propagated selloum more than once per week.
- The Right Temperatures – Philodendrons thrive in warm climates, where they can root and produce new leaves. You should keep the temperature between 65 and 82°F (18 and 28°C). In order to ensure that it stays warm, you can, of course, use a heating mat.
- Proper Environment – Philodendron selloum propagates best in warm, humid environments, but avoid overly-wet conditions, which can promote bacterial and fungal growth. Furthermore, exposure to direct sunlight or excessively acidic/alkaline conditions is a no-no.
- Rooting Hormone – Even if it isn’t required, it is advisable to apply rooting hormone to the cut area to encourage the growth of fresh roots. It has the potential to increase the emergence of roots by two or more times.