You have been patiently watching your plant cuttings grow roots in water, and now, the big question is: When and How should you transfer them to soil? Moving plant cuttings to soil initially seems complex, yet a proper approach makes this transition easy to succeed in. I will provide step-by-step advice about transitioning your plant cuttings to the soil while explaining the transition timeline in this article to make sure your plants grow.

Whether you are working with popular houseplants like Pothos, Philodendron, and, of course, the newly trendy Monstera, giving your cuttings the best chance at new lives will be assisted in this piece.

When to Move Your Cuttings into Soils

Let's first tackle timing. How do you know when your cutting is ready for soil? It has to do with the roots. How quickly your cutting develops roots in water is specific to each type of plant. For example, Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant) can grow roots in just a few days, whereas Hoyas can take weeks.

Although it is possible to transfer your cutting into the soil at any given time, it is helpful to wait until the roots are long enough to support the plant in its new environment. Generally, it would be alright to wait until the roots are as long as 2 to 4 inches. At that point, the roots are well-developed enough to thrive perfectly in their new home within the soil.

You can always wait for the roots to grow even longer if you prefer, but I've found that this 2-4 inch range is the sweet spot for most plants. At this stage, the cutting is ready for a smooth transition to soil and will have the best chance of thriving.

Selecting the Appropriate Pot Size

You must select the appropriate pot for your cutting when it is ready to move into the soil. A proper pot size selection plays a decisive role in maintaining plant health. The selected planting container needs to be slightly larger than the root system. The roots need space for growth but should not have too much environment since efficient nutrient and water absorption depends on moderate root spacing.

The process of selecting your pot dimensions includes three simple guidelines to determine the correct size:

  • A 4-inch pot should be selected when the roots reach a length of 2 inches.
  • A 6-inch pot should be selected for roots that measure 4 inches long.
  • For roots exceeding a length of 2 inches, you should use a container that extends an additional few inches in diameter from the roots.

Drainage holes need to be present in your pot as a necessity. A lack of drainage in the pot will cause water accumulation, resulting in root rot. You can easily create a drainage hole at the bottom of any unperforated pot by drilling the bottom of the pot for effective water drainage.

Choosing the Right Soil

When you are prepared to plant your pot, it is the right moment to select and prepare the appropriate soil. The soil quality represents the primary determinant of how well your cutting will begin in its new environment. The successful growth of plant cuttings requires the selection of a top-quality drainable potting mix. Consider a premium mix with perlite for air and moisture retention since it contains nutrients promoting root growth.

You can follow our guide on making a perfect Potting Mix. The product works excellently for fresh plants and propagation material because it retains the correct amount of water while staying dry enough. The mix incorporates mycorrhizae fungi, which help roots mature while maintaining plant health as its key benefit.

Before preparing the pot, pour about 1 to 2 inches of soil at the bottom. This provides a base layer to support the cutting. The rest of the pot should be filled with soil after placing the cutting inside.

The Transfer Process

You are now ready, and it's time to transfer your cutting from water to soil. Here are the steps for transferring the cutting from water to soil.

1. Prepare the Pot

Put the correct amount of soil into your chosen pot, leaving 1 to 2 inches of open space at the top. Wet soil should extend up to 1-2 inches above the top of the pot to provide enough area for water absorption.

2. Rinse the Roots

Before putting the cutting inside the pot, remove it from the water solution. Wash your fresh-water container and then immerse fresh-cut roots for the removal of remaining soil materials. A proper soil depth in the pot will prevent microbial growth before planting the cutting.

3. Place the Cutting in the Pot

Place the cutting at the central point of the pot. Place the roots in a fan shape to distribute them properly before adding soil on top of them. The cutting needs to be positioned one inch above the edges of the pot. 

4. Add Preventative Insect Control

To provide complete pest protection for your new plant, you can deploy natural insect control measures, which are an optional precaution step for dealing with insect-prone areas.

5. Water Thoroughly

After the placement of the cutting within the new pot, water it thoroughly. Pour enough water into the pot until the drainage hole releases liquid. The watering process lets the soil settle while supplying the needed moisture to help the cutting root properly in the new planting location.

After Transfer: What Next?

You should focus on care methods now that your cutting resides in its new pot. The first few weeks require maintaining light moisture levels in the soil. Soak it neither too wet nor too dry. The roots require soaking moisture to thrive correctly, so a continuous supply of hydration must be maintained in the growing soil. Overwatering should be avoided since it might cause root rot.

Philodendron, Snake Plants, and ZZ Plants require letting their soil partially dry in between watering while requiring low-attention care. The tropical houseplants, including Monstera and Pothos, need moistened soil instead of getting drenched.

Find a suitable spot to position your cutting that matches the correct lighting requirement of your plant. The majority of plants flourish when placed next to windows receiving diffused sunlight. The sunlight requirements between succulent or cacti plants and tropical plants differ because tropical plants need filtered light, while succulents require direct sunlight for good growth.

You should note that environmental humidity affects plant health. Adding either water mist or placing your plant to a humidity tray becomes essential when your surrounding air has a dry condition. The moisture in the environment facilitates root development while helping the cutting adapt to its new position.

The roots require time to adjust appropriately within the soil after the cutting has taken residence in its new pot. After observing the plant to be stable with new growth, you should begin reducing the moisture you provide because it is now developing like a standard mature plant.

Conclusion

Cuttings from water to soil require simple execution if you perform the steps correctly. The correct procedures of care for your plants alongside appropriate maintenance will enable them to develop into gorgeous, healthy specimens. Success depends on two factors: waiting for healthy roots to reach 2-4 inches in length and choosing the correct planting pots, along with maintaining top-quality soil for proper root development.

Each plant species, including Pothos, Monstera, Philodendron, and others, requires careful handling throughout the propagation process, which should never be hurried. Through plant propagation, you can achieve satisfying results that will help you obtain lovely new houseplants.

How to Buy Plants From Eureka Farms?

Eureka Farms is a licensed nursery that has a vast collection of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the most extensive collection of houseplants. Whether you would like to improve the outdoor view of your curb or turn your porch into a haven by adding topiary trees and hedges, we have everything from that and much more. Our plants are guaranteed to be delivered in fresh conditions, straight to each doorstep nationwide. Our low-maintenance indoor plants improve air quality, lift your spirits, and bring a touch of nature to your home office. Happy planting!