Cuttings (leaf) Many plants can be propagated from leaf cuttings. The pivotal point is whether or not the propagule is capable of forming adventitious buds, which are buds that form on plant parts other than leaf axils. A leaf axil is the crotch formed by the leaf stem (petiole) and the branch/ trunk/ stem it is attached to. Some plants have groups of cells that descend directly from embryonic cells engaged in meristematic activity. These cell groups can differentiate into buds/shoots from foliar embryos that formed as the leaf was forming. More commonly though, wound-induced secondary meristems can form when existing tissues already acting as part of an organ dedifferentiate into NEW meristematic regions (de novo regeneration), then redifferentiate into new organs (buds). If you want to be fairly certain that you'll be successful in your cloning attempts, make sure you include a latent or actively growing axillary bud, which would be located just distal to (above) where the leaf is attached to the stem. The downside to propagating from stem cuttings with a singular leaf in water is that often the bud is destroyed by rot, and/or, the type of root tissue that forms in water is physiologically very different from root tissue that forms in a solid, well-aerated medium. This difference is made manifest in the water-formed roots being very poor at taking up water from a solid medium, along with the fact that water roots are very delicate, almost brittle. As such, they handle the transition from water to soil poorly. Many leaf cuttings will readily produce roots to form 'blind cuttings', which means they are incapable of forming the adventitious buds which are a prerequisite to shoot formation on any cutting that does not include a node and an axillary bud. It is not essential that a leaf be attached to the propagule, as axillary buds are located distal to (above) the leaf and the scar left behind where a leaf was once attached. I don't know if your plant is one such, but if it lives on and on w/o forming a stem, you'll at least know the reason. To reiterate, it's best to bring an existing node with an axillary bud along for the ride or be ready for a disappointment. Blind cuttings can live for years, but eventually they collapse for no conspicuous reason. Al

Congradulations on your rooting success.

Hiya Sue, Welcome back & thanks for the superb pix (as usual). This is a pretty cool looking set of blooms. Am I the only one bothered by this plant's name? If the plant has square leaves, why is it named rotundifolia (which off the Latin means round leafed)? Talk about confusing & contradictory.

Linda- I totally understand how you are feeling! I am a stay at home mom of a two year old and 7 month old and it gets so boring sometimes, honestly. Yes kids are never dull lol, but being home and doing the same thing with them on a routine everyday for over two years can get pretty monotonous! I have started growing plants and it’s heloed a lot. There are many different kinds of succulents, cacti, and houseplants to grow and it is so rewarding! With propagation it is a lot of waiting- especially with something like aloe which is normally propagated via pups/offsets. My favorite plant to grow from cuttings is a wandering jew plant. Only a few weeks ago I received these cuttings, and they rooted literally within 7 days. Now I see why it is nicknamed the “inch plant” because it has quite literally grown an inch every single week lol. Here is a photo- it’s been so rewarding and way less of a waiting game compared to other propagation attempts I’ve made! I like being able to see progress, and with this plant it’s been so noticeable! I wish you the best of luck.