for postage or fresh cutting of swedish ivy, wandering jew or spider babies

Perhaps your friend will offer you two shoots? If so, root one in water, the other in soil. I've rooted both ways.. Because we're talking an unrooted cutting, place in a small pot. Slip pot in a plastic bag, with the top opened or slit. When watered, discard excess water that may leak in plastic. Roots should form anywhere between 2-3 weeks. I know a number of people who, when root cuttings, dig through soil to see if the cutting took. Don't do this. Disturbing roots only causes problems. Once you see new growth, remove plastic. BTW, plastic heats, especially in sun. Medium/bright light should do fine. I've rooted Moses/Rhoeos in north windows. But after roots formed, they went in brighter light. Good luck, they're beautiful plants with pretty cradle-like flowers/seeds. Toni

Any well drained, good quality potting soil should be fine. Here is a link that might be useful: caring for Rhoeo spathacea

I chanced to buy the original 3 cuttings through ebay, because we don't see these up here. And they have for the most part thrived..I keep cutting them back rooting the tops and the stumps always send out shoots to rejuvenate.