Dirt Simple Cane Begonia Propagation

Cane begonias have tall, bamboo-like stems. With varieties such as "Down Home" and "Sophie Cecile," these plants offer a beautiful, easy-to-care-for addition to any home or garden. Cane begonias are not only visually appealing but also very simple to propagate.

Identifying Cane Begonias
Cane begonias, are characterized by their tall, upright stems that resemble bamboo. These stems have small nodes or bumps along them, which can become new roots or branches depending on if they are above or below the soil.

Easy Propagation: Step-by-Step
Cane begonias are easy to propagate. The process can be done with just a few simple steps, and you don't need any rooting hormones.

1. Pruning the Plant: Using a sharp pair of pruners, simply cut off a branch
2. Preparing the Cuttings: To prepare the cutting, you can remove most leaves from the stem. Also, cut off half of any large leaves. This keeps the plant from drying out before it can form new roots. For longer stems, you can even cut them in half to get more plants from a single cutting.
3. Planting the Cuttings: You can create a new plant by pushing the bottom end of the cutting  back into the soil. Make sure one node (the small bump on the stem) is below the soil surface. Nodes below the soil will form roots, while those above will sprout new leaves. If you'd like to increase humidity, you can cover the cutting with a clear plastic bag to create a small greenhouse.
4. Watering and Care: After planting the cuttings, water the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. From here, just let the cuttings be. Water them every week or so. Within a week or two they will start to form new roots, and a little while later new leaves.

You can easily propagate several cuttings from one plant, both back into the same pot (for a fuller plant) or into new pots, allowing you to create new plants for friends or even give them as gifts.

One of the best things about cane begonias is that they don’t require rooting hormone to propagate. Simply cutting the stem and placing it in soil will usually suffice.

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Related Resources:
A Beginner’s Guide to Begonias: Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative Propagation: American Begonia Society