Plants from the Dracaena genus bear colorful, patterned leaves and adapt to a variety of growing conditions, making them attractive as low-maintenance houseplants. Dracaenas do not root well from cuttings, so if you want your plant to produce new shoots, use the air-layering technique. Air layering involves wounding the Dracaena's stem and covering the wound with moist sphagnum moss. When roots begin to poke through the sphagnum moss, detach the shoot to create a second Dracaena plant. This procedure also helps rejuvenate old, unattractive Dracaenas.
Cut into the Dracaena's stem where you want roots to appear using a sharp knife. When cutting, hold the knife at an angle and penetrate approximately one-fourth to one-third of the stem's diameter. Hold the top of the Dracaena to prevent it from falling over.
Insert a toothpick into the wound. This keeps the wound from healing without creating new roots.
Push rooting hormone into the wound, if desired. This speeds up root production.
Moisten three or four handfuls of sphagnum moss with water. Squeeze the moss to press it into a tight clump.
Wrap the moistened moss around the wounded stem.
Cover the moss with clear plastic. Wrap the plastic around the moss at least twice.
Attach twist ties to the ends of the plastic. This secures the moss and keeps it from falling off.
Check the Dracaena every seven to 10 days for root formation. When roots have poked through the moss, remove the plastic wrap.
Cut the stem off the Dracaena plant below the root mass. Loosen the moss, but do not remove it.
Fill a container with potting mix. Plant the Dracaena in the container and water until moisture drips from the drainage holes.
Things You Will Need
- Twist ties
- Clear plastic sheet, 8- by 20-inch
- Sphagnum moss
- Rooting hormone (optional)
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