Purple Passion Plant Propagation – How to Root Stem Cuttings

Purple passion plant propagation is one of the easiest ways to grow new houseplants for free. If your plant (Gynura aurantiaca) is getting leggy or you simply want more indoor plants, stem cuttings root quickly with very little effort.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to propagate a purple passion plant using stem cuttings, including whether water or soil works best and include few simple tricks to encourage fast rooting.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Why propagate purple passion plant

The common name purple passion plant (also called purple velvet plant) comes from the rich purple coloring on the plant’s velvety stems and leaves. One reason this houseplant is so popular is that it’s also very easy to propagate.

As purple passion plants mature, they often become leggy and lose their lower leaves, especially as the stems trail with age. Rather than replacing the plant, take stem cuttings and root them to create bushier new plants.

If your plant produces yellow flowers, it’s typically a sign of maturity. This is a good time to take stem cuttings for propagation. Pinching back growing tips to make the plant more bushy will also provide ideal stem cuttings of Gynura aurantiaca.

How to propagate purple passion plant from stem cuttings

Purple passion plant propagation is fast and easy, and works well in both water and soil. Rooting stem cuttings is the most reliable method for creating new plants.

What to expect:

• Cuttings taken in spring and summer will give faster results.
• Leaf nodes are required for rooting.
• Cuttings from healthy stems root quickly.
• New plant growth appears after the roots form.
• Success is highest with fresh, actively growing stems.
• Depending on the time of the year, your purple velvet plant will develop roots in 1-3 weeks

What you need to take purple passion plant cuttings

To take cuttings of purple passion plant, you’ll need these items:

For soil or water propagation

• A healthy purple passion plant
• Clean scissors or garden snips

For water propagation

• A large, clean glass or jar
• Clean water

For soil propagation

• Small plant pot
• Pencil
• Seed starting soil
• Small soda bottle with a plastic top
• Hormone powder (optional, but helps the cuttings to root faster)

How to take stem cuttings of purple passion plants

Be sure your existing plant is free from disease. Gynura aurantiaca is prone to spider mites and mealybugs. They love to live in those soft velvety leaves.

• Examine the undersides of the leaves to make sure you have a healthy host plant.
• Use your clean scissors to cut a piece of the stem about 2-3 inches from the top, just above a leaf node.
• Cut the stem at an angle.
• Remove all but the top 4 or 5 leaves.

This cutting is very healthy. The leaves are in good shape, the cutting has a few inches of intact stem that is not soggy, and there is no evidence of any bugs underneath the leaves. It’s a perfect stem cutting for both water and soil propagation!

How to propagate purple passion plant cuttings in water

• Fill a clean glass or jar about ¾ full of water.
• Place the stem cutting in the water.

• Do not submerge the leaves, or they will rot.
• Place the glass in a spot that gets bright, indirect light.
• Change the water every 1-2 days.
• Once roots have developed, carefully plant the rooted stem cutting in soil.

How to propagate purple passion plant in soil

• Fill a small pot with seed-starting soil.
• You can also use a mixture of half peat moss and a quarter each of chopped bark and perlite.

Using hormone powder

I normally use rooting hormone powder when I take cuttings of houseplants. I find that the roots develop more quickly and are of higher quality than when this product is not used.

• Dip the end of the stem cutting into the hormone powder.
• Tap off any excess powder.

• Water the seed-starting soil to make it evenly moist.
• Use a pencil to make a small hole in the seed-starting mix.
• Place the cutting in the hole and push the soil around it so it sits firmly.

• Place the pot in a location that gets bright light but not direct sunlight.
• I keep mine in the kitchen near a window, but not directly sitting in the sun.

How to keep the humidity level high for the cuttings

Purple passion plants like high humidity. There are a few ways to keep the humidity high as the stem cutting is growing roots.

• Best way: Place the plant pot on a saucer filled with rocks and keep water under the level of the rocks. 
• Mister: Use a plant mister to spray the plant lightly to keep it humid. (Caution: too much misting can cause the leaves to rot).
• Mini greenhouse: Cut off the top of a soda bottle to hold in humidity. Remove at night so leaves don’t rot.

If you follow these easy steps, you will find that, in just a few weeks, your once scraggy purple passion plant will be showing new and vibrant growth.  Why not take several cuttings and share some with your friends?

Soil vs water – Which works best?

Because purple passion plants have soft, velvety stems, they can be prone to rotting in water before they have rooted.

Both of my cuttings rooted in just a few weeks. However, the soil-rooted plant developed new growth more quickly, and the plant appears to be more robust overall.

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Admin note: This article for Gynura aurantiaca propagation first appeared on the blog in May 2018. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable how-to card, and a slideshow video.

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Yield: Soil or water propagation

How to Propagate Purple Passion Plant from Stem Cuttings

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Purple passion plants are one of the easiest houseplants to propagate. Follow these simple steps to take stem cuttings and root them successfully in water or soil.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 14 days

Total Time 14 days 15 minutes

Difficulty Beginner to intermediate Gardeners

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

• 1 healthy purple passion plant
• Seed starting mix
• Small pot
• Rooting hormone powder
• Soda bottle
• Glass or jar
• Water

Tools

• Scissors
• Pencil

Instructions

To take cuttings

1. Examine the undersides of the leaves to make sure you have a healthy host plant.
2. Use your clean scissors to cut a piece of the stem about 2-3 inches from the top, just above a leaf node.
3. Cut the stem at an angle.
4. Remove all but the top 4 or 5 leaves.

To root the cutting in water

1. Fill a clean glass or jar about ¾ full of water.
2. Place the stem cutting in the water.
3. Do not submerge the leaves, or they will rot.
4. Place the glass in a spot that gets bright, indirect light.
5. Change the water every 1-2 days.
6. Once roots have developed, carefully plant the rooted stem cutting in soil.

To root the cutting in soil

1. Dip the end of the stem cutting into the hormone powder.
2. Tap off any excess powder.
3. Add seed-starting soil to a small pot.
4. Wet the soil.
5. Use a pencil to make a hole in the soil.
6. Add the cutting and press the soil to firm it around the stem.
7. Cut a small soda bottle in half.
8. Place it over the top of the cutting to add humidity.
9. Remove the dome at night.
10. Place in bright, indirect light.
11. Water to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Depending on the time of the year, roots should form in 1-3 weeks.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Brussel's 8" Humidity Tray with Decorative Rocks, to raise the humidity on indoor plants and cuttings
• 
  Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder Helps Grow New Plants from Cuttings, 2 pack
• 
  2 Gynura Purple Passion Plants Live Houseplants - 4-8 Inch Tall Purple Passion Plant for Indoor Tropical Foliage

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