Offshoot of the Pilea
The Pilea, also known as the UFO plant, is one of the nettle plants. It is an eye-catcher, is considered easy to care for and can be easily propagated all year round via cuttings or offshoots. You should note the following.
Propagate UFO plants via offshoots
The decorative and easy-care Pilea with its almost circular, strong green, large leaves is an ideal potted plant for beginners and can be easily propagated via offshoots. The plants often form cuttings that grow into beautiful new daughter plants. The Pilea produces two different types of offshoots: some grow directly on the mother plant and others with their own roots. The latter protrude from the earth at some distance.
Multiply Pilea - step-by-step instructions:
- Using a sharp, clean knife, cut a cutting about four centimeters long from the mother UFO plant that has at least five healthy leaves. Make sure you make a clean cut and do not tear through the root.
- To obtain separately growing offshoots, you must dig up the mother plant within a radius of three centimeters. The offshoots have grown underground with the original plant, so you also have to remove part of the root. A clean cut is always important. Ragged cuts or bruises promote fungal infestation.
- Place the cutting in a glass filled with water for around 14 days. Roots grow within this time. To prevent mold, change the water regularly.
- Allow the cutting to root. After a few weeks, plant it in the soil of a pot when there are enough roots. Here you need to be particularly careful when potting. The roots can break off.
- The diameter of the growing pot should be at least nine centimeters so that the plant has enough space to grow back. Use soil for Houseplants or high-quality potting soil.
- Place the pot in a bright place. The ideal temperature in the room is 15 to 18 degrees. Rotate the pots with the Pilea regularly so that it receives enough light from each side and growth occurs evenly. Otherwise, the plant could become too bare on the side facing away from light over time. The optimal location is the windowsill.
- After planting, keep the substrate moist to ensure good growth. Pour into the soil. Drops of water on the leaves promote burns in sunlight. Also remove excess irrigation water in the saucer to prevent root rot. You can grow many new UFO plants through vegetative propagation. It is ideal in spring at the time of repotting. Please note the care tips mentioned.
You can get coconut plants as small plants in many garden centers. Maybe you ask...
Propagating the UFO plant through cuttings is possible and easy all year round. Take a cutting from the mother plant, place it in a glass of water and, after rooting, plant it in a pot with high-quality substrate.
