If you’ve got a healthy orchid cactus (Epiphyllum) at home, you’re in luck—growing a brand-new plant from your favorite one is actually super easy! There are two main ways to get the job done, and I’m here to walk you through both. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a fresh green addition to your plant family in no time.
Here are your two options:
- Propagation via cuttings
- Growing from seeds
Taking and Rooting Cuttings
The best time to prune your orchid cactus for cuttings is in the spring. Before you start, make sure you have your pots ready to go. If you do it right, these cuttings root incredibly well and are the most reliable way to expand your collection.
Here’s how to take your cuttings:
- Grab a sharp knife and make sure it’s well-disinfected.
- Cut sections about 6 inches (15 cm) long from the parent plant.
- Let the cuttings sit out and dry for about a day so the cut ends can “callus” over.
- Plant the cuttings about an inch (3 cm) deep into a pot with well-draining soil.
- Use a small stake or stick to keep those thin stems upright and stable.
- Place the pot in a warm spot and keep the soil consistently moist.
Propagating this way is way faster than starting from scratch with seeds. Plus, there’s a huge bonus: you get an exact clone of your original plant. That means the new cactus will have the same leaf shape and stunning flowers as the mother plant.
Growing from Seeds
The second route you can take is growing your orchid cactus from seeds. Just a heads-up: this method requires a bit more patience! Seeds take their sweet time to develop into a full plant, and they need specific care to germinate successfully.
I recommend using a small indoor glass greenhouse or a seed-starting tray. Fill your pots with some coco coir and scatter the seeds right on top. Since these seeds need light to germinate, don’t bury them—just press them onto the surface. Keep the soil damp with a spray bottle, but be careful not to drown them. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, you can transplant them into their own individual pots. Just remember that young plants are a bit delicate, so make sure you’re overwintering them correctly to keep them safe during the chilly months.
