Air layering? What is that?
Do you have a plant that is hitting the ceiling? Or the bottom leaves have fallen off, and the plant is leggy? Or you want to make more of the same plant. If you have a fiddle leaf fig, rubber tree, or other woody tree, air layering will work well.
What is air layering?
Air layering, also called air propagation, is an easy way to shorten or propagate a woody plant. It can be used for other plants, too, but if it is a softer-stemmed plant, there are better ways to propagate it. (NOTE: If you are cutting a ficus, there is a white sap that will bleed out of the plant. It does contain latex and can be an irritant to some. It may be best to wear gloves and make sure you do not get it in your eyes. Read more about that here.)
Air-layering supplies
The tray above has all the supplies needed to air-layer a plant. I used long-fiber sphagnum moss, used for orchids, pictured in the lower right corner. Moisten the moss before using it. At the upper right is some soaking in a bowl. You will also need a small amount of twine, plastic wrap, toothpicks or a match stick, clippers, and a sharp knife. (Note: the following pictures are from my first book, taken by Chelsea Steinkopf.) You may read these instructions in my book, but you will not see the green nails on my fingers. They were photoshopped out.)
Cutting the stem
Determine how tall you would like your plant to be before starting the air layering process. Usually, a good size is 1-2 feet. Measure down from the top of the plant to the desired spot. Use a sharp knife and cut in an upward manner away from your body, slice approximately 1/2 way through the stem. Insert a toothpick or a matchstick into the wound so it will stay open and not heal back together.
Applying the moss
Using the moistened moss (with gloves if you prefer), wrap a generous amount around the cut area. The moss-wrapped area will be anywhere from the size of a lemon to the size of a grapefruit. It depends on the thickness of the stem or trunk you are air-layering and the amount of moss used.
Wrap the moss with plastic
Using a piece of plastic wrap, wrap it around the moistened moss.
Tie the plastic wrap
Secure the top and bottom of the plastic wrap with twine to keep the moisture in. Make sure the twine isn’t tied so tight that it harms the stem of the plant, especially if it isn’t a woody stem. The roots will grow from the cut area in a few months. Untie the twine at the top once in a while and check the moss, making sure it stays moist. Add a small amount of water if it is dry.
Air layering is done
Below, is the finished air layer all tied up and ready for roots to grow.
Roots will appear
In a few months, roots will appear in the moistened moss. Keeping the moss moist is the key. At that time, cut the stem right below the moss. Take the plastic wrap off, and pot the rooted cutting in moist potting medium. At this time, choose a pot that accommodates the roots without too much extra room. The pot may be disproportionate to the plant at first. If you surround the small root ball with too much potting medium, it may rot the roots. As the root system grows, you can up-pot as needed.
Have you ever tried air-layering a plant? How did it work for you? Tell me in the comments.
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I’ve never tried air layering a plant but I’m inspired to try air layering my rubber plant now. Also, can one air layer long stemmed roses in order to root them? I’ve been told they can be rooted but I’ve had no luck.
I’m glad! It’s fun to try different techniques. I have also heard you can root roses, but have never tried air layering. I would try it! Let me know how it works for you.
Awesome. Could this be done with a schefflera? Mine is about 7 feet tall and wonky!
Yes! I should have mentioned that plant. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for the detailed instructions with pics.! I have a sub tropical plant (Elaeocarpus ganitrus : rudraksha / blue marble) that I planted from a seed in a NYC apt. It’s now touching the ceiling. I’ve been nervous to do anything but now the top leaves are getting brown tips/edges/patches & dying off. Most of the small branches at the crown is bare without leaves. Do you think it is OK to try air layering now during the winter while the plant isn’t doing very well? I have searched all over the internet for reasons why the top leaves are dying but not able to find any info.
Thanks
Aruni
Hi Aruni,
I looked it up and it is a very cool tree! Do you get it to fruit in your house? I would air layer it and you could start it now and when it wakes up in the spring it will send out roots. Or wait until spring. It is up to you. Do you think the top leaves are getting brown and dying is because they aren’t getting enough light at the ceiling level? Sounds like a perfect plant to air layer.
Lisa
Do you need to make sure there is a viable bud just above the cut and under the moss?
I did not worry about that and it rooted. I just cut into the stem at the spot where I wanted the final size to be.
Lisa
I have a dilemma with my very tall Fiddle Leaf Fig. I’m thinking about air layering but wonder if I can air layer it in two different sections of this one tall stem. I know it’s recommended for one section, but can I air layer it in two sections of same stem. I’d appreciate your help! Thanks!
Tell me how the air layering went. Was it succuessful?
Lisa
I’m gett8ng ready to air layer my very tall FLF. I’m wondering if I can air layer in two different areas of mother stem at same time?
Hi Marti,
I’m not sure how that would work. I would think you need a tip on each air layer for it to work. If you were layering two different stems on the mother stem, I think it would be fine.
Lisa