One of the most appealing aspects of Syngonium is its ease of propagation.
It doesn’t matter what kind of plant you have, and it’s easy to turn one into many more.
Even the tricky Syngonium albo can be propagated at home with simple tools.
Top and shoot cuttings are both used to propagate Syngonium. There should be a bud (eyelet) on it when dividing the shoot. You can root in peat and sand mixtures, vermiculite sphagnum and sand, pure sand, and water with activated charcoal added to the growing medium.
Contents
3 Ways to Propagate Syngonium albo
For the most part, syngonuims can be grown from cuttings quite quickly.
These vigorous climbers love to send out long, enthusiastic shoots that climb trees, walls, and fences, thriving even after being cut free from the parent plant.
Syngonium Albo has many characteristics, making it an excellent choice for home propagation.
However, their leaves make the most significant difference.
Even in low light, the solid green leaves of a plain Syngonium produce a significant amount of energy.
This allows them to grow quickly, and a standard Syngonium cutting can begin producing new roots in as little as a week or two.
In comparison, Syngonium Albo lacks the same ability to generate large amounts of energy.
Therefore, those with the palest leaves make little to no energy, and those with no leaves have to rely on the rest of the plant to stay alive.
However, if you have a nice mix of green, white, and variegated leaves, taking cutting and propagating a whole new plant is a piece of cake.
Growing Syngonium Ablo from Cuttings
You can quickly start new plants with Syngonium albo cuttings if you put them directly into a new growing medium.
There are no special tools beyond shears and a pot of dirt required, and if your Albo is growing long vines with a lot of air roots, this method is fast and straightforward.
That said, it does have the worst success rates.
Even in a soil-free mix, cuttings can rot due to fungi in the medium because air roots take a long time to shift into the new mode of operation.
There is a high failure rate when growing a rare plant-like Syngonium albo. I think you should try another method.
Propagating Syngonium Albo In Water
Water propagation is the most effective method for the majority of growers. This method entails immersing a cutting in water until roots form, then transplanting it to the soil.
Most home gardeners will find this method to be ideal. You only need water, a jar, glass, or cup, and a well-lit place to keep them while they grow.
So you can propagate as many cuttings as you want with no extra effort other than changing the water every so often.
Although water propagation takes longer than other methods, it’s a relatively simple trade-off given a low effort.
While you may lose one or two cuttings, it’s much easier to grow many plants simultaneously, and their failure is less noticeable.
Air layering
The most accurate method on our list, air layering, involves wrapping an air root in damp sphagnum moss and sealing it in plastic.
This helps the Syngonium retain moisture and encourages it to shift its growth patterns in preparation for soil transplant.
Despite its difficulty, this method is the most reliable. This is because the parent plant provides full support and nourishment for the new roots as they grow.
Extra nutrition can make a big difference for an Albo.
Also, because the cutting doesn’t need to produce its food in addition to the energy required to set root, it grows faster than in water.
How to propagate Syngonium albo – Step by Step
It doesn’t matter how you go about it. The first and most crucial step is choosing which part of the plant to propagate.
Healthy leaves and air roots are the only things you need to look out for. Pick offshoots with at least one variegated leaf.
If you propagate a plant with pale leaves, it’ll grow slowly or not because it lacks the green pigment needed to thrive. You’ll need a few patches of green to succeed.
The air roots are also crucial. At the base of a leaf, they show you the growth node, which is typically capable of forming roots.
A single variegated leaf and a few air roots are all you need, and as long as there is a leaf and a node, you can take a cutting from any part of the vine.
You can get a lot of cuttings from a long vine. It could be a half dozen or more.
Syngonium Albo Propagation in Water
You will need:
- Clean shears
- Water
- A vessel – a jar or glass is best
- A small pot of growing medium
Step One: Take your cutting
Start by cutting the length of vine you wish to propagate from the Syngonium albo, which is often the terrifying part of the process.
Be careful not to harm the parent plant by making clean cuts with sterile shears or scissors.
From the vine’s base to the tip, I prefer to take multiple cuttings from the same vine length.
This gives me the best chance of success and a lot of new plants!
Step Two: Place your cutting
Fill your container with clean drinking water. Glass jars are the best because they allow you to keep an eye on root development without having to remove them from the water.
Put your cutting in the water now. It would help if you submerged your stem to the rim of your vessel, leaving the leaf free to rest on top of the waterline.
Step Three: Change the Water Regularly
Avoid direct sunlight and keep your cutting area warm and well-lit.
Brighter is always better, especially when you have many pale regions in a piece of art. Keep stray sunbeams at bay.
The new roots in your plants can die if they are exposed to too much heat from the sun, burning the leaves or overheating the water.
Change the water in your vessel at least twice a week, and remove any algae accumulated.
It may take up to a month or two for the cutting to grow strong enough roots to be potted.
It may take a little longer for the leaves of ashen colors, so be patient.
Step Four: Transfer to Pot
A two to three-inch new root can be produced from a cutting before it is ready to be potted.
Then, in a small, clean pot of fresh medium, plant them an inch or two deep and water as usual.
You can now treat your new plant as you would any other.
Variegated Syngoniums need bright, indirect light and water only when the top inch or two of soil is dry, as I discuss in greater detail here.
So it won’t be long before they’re covered in new leaves and bursting with energy.
Propagating Syngonium Albo by Air Layering
Air layering requires more patience but yields more reliable results.
You will need:
- Moist sphagnum moss (Check out the prices on Amazon here.)
- Plant mister or small spray bottle
- Plastic cling film
- Soft fabric ties or tape
- Clean scissors or shears
- A small pot of growing medium
Step One: Soak Your Moss
The first step in rehydrating commercial sphagnum moss is to add clean water to the dry powder.
Water that has been filtered or distilled is preferable. Allow it to soak for a few hours, if necessary.
Step Two: Prepare your wrapping
Cut a foot-long piece of plastic film three or four inches wide. Then, in the center, place a small amount of damp moss. You’ll need enough to cover the air roots completely.
Step Three: Wrap your node
Hold the damp moss firmly against the air roots of your cutting while holding the wrapping in one hand.
Next, secure the cling film tightly around the vine using your ties or tape. To avoid damaging the leaf or vine, keep the moss in place against its roots.
Step Four: Maintain consistent moisture
Keep an eye on the moss and make sure it doesn’t dry out. You should be able to tell the difference between moist and dry moss by the feel of the cling film.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to re-moisten the wrapping regularly. To check the moss, slowly and carefully untie your wrapping.
When you touch it, it should feel slightly wet but not dripping. Before resealing, you can lightly mist the surface with clean water.
It’s also an excellent time to see how the roots are growing. Even if you don’t have to unwrap anything, you’ll see pale fibers snaking through the moss.
It doesn’t take long for an air-layered Syngonium to go crazy with new roots – even for a paler Albo, it can happen in three or four weeks.
Step Five: Cut your propagation free
It’s time to cut free your new propagation when the wrapping has at least one firm root longer than three inches.
To remove a Syngonium vine from its parent plant, use sterile scissors or shears and cut it immediately below its wrapping.
You can unwrap the new propagation and prepare it for potting when it’s free.
Step Six: Transfer to Pot
Plant the new propagation in a small pot filled with growing medium.
While the plastic film must be discarded, the moss itself does not need to be removed.
It is often beneficial to the plant to place the entire mass directly into the pot. As the new plant grows, the moss will provide ongoing support.
Water your new Syngonium albo as usual once it’s in its pot.
The Best Conditions for Syngonium Albo Propagation
Clean Pots and Tools
Always use clean tools to get your Syngonium albo propagation off to a good start. When you cut a plant, you risk introducing disease-causing bacteria or fungi.
In addition, if the wrappings are not clean from the start, even an air-layered plant is vulnerable to fungal disease.
Sterilize your tools after each use with hot water and rubbing alcohol. Clean the water propagation vessels with dish soap and hot water.
For propagation, I also strongly advise using only filtered or distilled water. It aids in the removal of any water-borne nasties that could harm your infant Albo.
Bright, Indirect Light
Growing new roots requires a lot of energy, and Syngonium albo has difficulty producing it.
Because those spectacular patchwork leaves produce less energy than plain green leaves, it’s critical to provide plenty of bright indirect light.
Good light makes all the difference, no matter how you propagate. However, avoid direct sunlight.
Newly formed roots are delicate, and it’s not surprising that the sun’s powerful rays would harm something designed to burrow deep into the soil.
Water propagation vessels, in particular, must be kept out of direct sunlight because the water can quickly overheat and effectively cook the infant roots.
The Right Temperature
Syngonium is a type of plant that grows in the tropics. They thrive best in a temperature range of 65-77 °F (18-25 °C).
Your cuttings are no exception and will struggle to establish roots if exposed to extreme cold or heat.
Warm, but not hot; your cuttings should be kept warm. Growers in colder climates frequently ‘greenhouse’ their cuttings inside clear plastic bags or tubs to keep them warm.
The Right Pot
Once your propagation is in its growing medium, it’s critical to keep those delicate new roots in good condition.
You’ll need a pot that’s the right size and has enough drainage. A new propagation does not require a large pot.
A nursery-style pot a few inches across is ideal for a single baby, and a six-inch pot is an excellent place to start for groupings.
It is perfectly acceptable to place multiple new plants in the same pot. It’s a perfect way to grow a lush, thick plant that fills out quickly.
Whatever you choose, make sure there are plenty of drainage holes.
For example, Syngonium albo requires a lot of good drainages, so three or more evenly spaced holes are ideal.
The Right Soil Medium
Syngonium albo requires a well-draining medium rich in organic material.
In addition, they dislike having wet feet and prefer a chunky medium with lots of texture for their thick, strong roots to wiggle around in.
I like to use an even mixture of one part coco coir, one part perlite, one part orchid bark, and one part commercial potting soil.
This provides texture and drainage to the Syngonium albo while promoting leaf development.
A commercial blend designed for tropicals will suffice if you’d rather avoid the hassle. (Amazon link)
The Right Amount of Water
Syngonium albo thrives when given a thorough watering followed by a period of drying out.
Give your new baby a thorough drink right after planting, and then let the medium dry before watering again.
This provides the roots with the first good drink they require to establish themselves while reducing the risk of fungal infections.
Following that, it’s best to let the top two inches of growing medium dry out between waterings.
In warm weather, you may need to water twice a week, while in cooler weather, you may only need to water once a week or less.
However, inspecting the soil will ensure that you’re only watering your Albo when it needs it.
Proper Environment
Humidity is a little-discussed aspect of plant care. Syngonium albo thrives in 60% or higher humid conditions and will dry out if the humidity falls below that level.
Conversely, young plants are especially vulnerable to dehydration when the environment becomes too dry.
The simplest way to keep new propagation humid is to greenhouse them with a clear plastic bag placed over the pot or sit them in a large clear plastic tub.
This traps moisture inside and helps to maintain an even humidity level.
Rooting Hormone
The final tool to get the most growth out of your cutting is to dust it with rooting hormone.
This synthetic compound stimulates root growth and can be an excellent way to get those roots growing quickly.
Every bit of extra help counts for the Syngonium albo, so it’s worth considering. (Check out the Amazon prices here)
Cinnamon powder is an excellent substitute for commercial rooting compounds.
It contains naturally occurring hormones that promote root growth and antifungal properties.
It’s a superb all-arounder and a great choice if you want to cover all of your bases.
What to do if propagation isn’t successful?
First and foremost, don’t despair. No matter how experienced, every home gardener fails from time to time.
When propagation fails, there are a few things to look into.
First, it’s possible that the part of the plant you were attempting to propagate had insufficient green pigment to keep itself alive, let alone grow new roots, in the case of a Syngonium albo.
Fungal infection is another common issue. Fungal problems are indicated by cloudy water or a foul-smelling growing medium. But, again, you can retry with sterilized tools and a new jar.
Finally, poor conditions could be to blame. You need to give that Albo as much light as possible while keeping it warm and humid.
With a bit of practice and careful planning, you’ll be cultivating a crop of new Syngonium albo in no time.