Thinking about trying some Philodendron propagation?
Here are some frequently asked questions about our Philodendron cuttings. How we grow them, how we select them and how you can buy them.
Where do the cuttings come from?
Our range of cuttings are mostly chosen from well established, naturalised mother stock, growing 'wild' at The Whyanbeel Arboretum. Peter Sargent, the founder, has been collecting plants for a lifetime and the mother stock in some cases has been growing for 20-30 years.
Limited offerings, especially some of the commercial hybrids, often come from our own propagation greenhouse. These are not available in bulk orders.
What's the difference between a stem and a tip cutting.
Philodendrons generally have a long stem, with regular growth nodes spaced along the length of it. The leaves are on the ends of petioles, also spaced along the stem. In most cases there is a single growing tip at the end of a long stem.
The stem, climbing high into a tree may have 50 nodes but just one tip. There are always more stem cuttings then tips at the time of harvesting. Tip cuttings are rarer and harder to supply than stem cuttings.
Tip cuttings are usually new, fleshy growth where the newest leaves will emerge. We cut them at 2-3 nodes, leaving 1-2 leaves for ease of shipping. The tip will propagate to just one new plant, unless cut to single nodes prior to propagating or used in tissue culture.
Stem cuttings are taken from further along the stem once the tip is removed. These are often woody stems, but can sometimes be new growth, depending on the species/variety but always with 2-3 nodes minimum. Leaves are removed for ease of shipping. Stem cuttings can be the gift that keeps on giving, with nodes activating and growing offshoot tips regularly, in ideal conditions. With care and patience stems are a great way to propagate multiple Philodendron tips over time.
Read our propagation guide to learn more.
Are tip cuttings and stem cuttings available for all cuttings listings?
No, in some cases the tips are very high in the trees and have become inaccessible and are not available for sale. For those items we sell only stem cuttings. Always check the 'pack contents' in the listing.
In some cases we have found the stem cuttings to be too young and fleshy for good propagation success, so we will only offer tip cuttings in some listings.
The cuttings availability can be changed at any time to reflect the availability 'on the ground' so listings contents may change from week to week.
Always read the listings.
Why are the cuttings sold in packs or multiples.
Cuttings are not always successful. We sell our cuttings in a minimum 2 pack, each with 2-3 nodes, to give you more chances of success. You will also have the opportunity to try a few different methods of propagation, to work out which works best for you, in your situation.
How should the cuttings be propagated.
We have written a guide to propagation methods that you can try with your cuttings. This guide is aimed at all growers from beginners, intermediate and experienced. If you are an experienced propagator you will have your own ideas but maybe a quick look at our tried and true methods may add something to your propagation skills. We have tried to stick to simple, fuss free methods to make it easy for all levels of skill.
Are the cuttings guaranteed to work?
There are no guarantees that the cuttings will all be successful but we select for success and provide propagation information and growing requirements on our website to give you the best chance. Some types are harder to propagate than others and have lower success rates. You can find this information in the listings under 'Difficulty'. Always read the listings and check the notes to make sure you are able to provide the requirements/conditions needed for best success.
Do the cuttings have roots.
No, all cuttings are fresh cut prior to shipping, they will have no roots.
If you are looking for established, rooted plants, browse our plant listings here.
How do I order cuttings.
You can choose the cuttings packs you want and add them to your cart. Express shipping starts at $12 for up to 2 packs. The cuttings packs are also easily combined with plant purchases for combined post. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Can cuttings be purchased in commercial quantities?
Yes, you can contact us for our Cuttings list. Minimum order 20 cuttings.