In order to determine how to propagate your various houseplants, you may have to consult various reference texts at your local library.  Included below is a list of common houseplants and the recommended techniques for propagation.

Propagation techniques for selected houseplants.

African violet Cut petioles 1/2 inch long. Place potted leaf cuttings in plastic bag. Leaf cutting, Division
Arrowhead (Nepthytis) Cuttings may be rooted in water. Herbaceous cutting, Compound layer, Division
Asparagus fern Keep young divisions constantly moist. Division
Begonia May be started from leaf sections placed on surface of rooting medium. Cleanliness important. Herbaceous cutting, Leaf cutting. Use well-drained medium high in organic matter. Orchid growing mix useful. Division
Cast iron plant Provide good light after division. Division
Chinese evergreen May be rooted or grown in water. Herbaceous cutting, Stem section
Christmas cactus Keep moist, but avoid over watering during rooting. Herbaceous cutting
Chrysanthemum Cuttings from new shoots in early spring often make better garden plants than divisions. Herbaceous cutting, Division
Coleus Root In water. Easiest of all. Herbaceous cutting
Croton Slow to root. Cover with plastic. Give good light. Herbaceous cutting, Air layer
Diffenbachia Subject to rot during rooting. Do not over water. Keep clean. Herbaceous cutting, Stem section, Air layer
Dracaena Stem sections relatively slow. Herbaceous cutting, Stem section, Air layer
English ivy Easy to root. Sometimes slow starting. Herbaceous cutting, Compound layer
Episcia Related to African violet. Tip cuttings grow faster than leaf cuttings. Herbaceous cutting, Leaf cutting
Ferns Keep constantly moist after division. Division
Fuchsia Stem cuttings root easily. Prefers a cool temperature after rooting. Herbaceous cutting
Gardenia Vigorous new shoots root most easily in midsummer. Herbaceous cutting
Geranium Stem cuttings, keep foliage dry during rooting. Herbaceous cutting
Gloxinia May be grown from leaf cuttings. Leaf cutting
Hibiscus Stem cuttings, rooting hormones speed root production. Give bright light. Herbaceous cutting
Hydrangea Tend to root best in spring or early summer. Herbaceous cutting
Impatiens Very easy. May be rooted in water. Herbaceous cutting
Jade plant Keep fairly dry during rooting. Must have well-drained medium, e.g., coarse sand. Herbaceous cutting, Leaf cutting
Kalanchoe Use vegetative shoots, not flowering shoots for best rooting. Herbaceous cutting, Leaf cutting
Lantana Old, woody stems do not root as easily as more tender terminal shoots. Herbaceous cutting
Maidenhair fern Keep divisions constantly moist. Division
Norfolk Island pine Very slow. Use only terminal cutting. Herbaceous cutting, Air layer
Orchid Many types. Provide high humidity and well-drained organic medium. Division
Peperomia Root easily. Avoid excess moisture during rooting. Herbaceous cutting, Leaf cutting
Philodendron May be rooted in water. Spring and early summer give quickest rooting. Herbaceous cutting, Compound layer
Poinsettia Propagate in late August for home. Cleanliness important. Herbaceous cutting
Pothos Will root in water. Spring and early summer propagation usually most successful. Herbaceous cutting, Compound layer
Rubber plant Keep humidity high during rooting, or use air layer. Herbaceous cutting, Air layer
Schefflera Needs high humidity and bright light. Slow rooting. Herbaceous cutting, Air layer
Shrimp plant Easy to root. Give good light. Herbaceous cutting
Snake plant Place leaf sections in same position they grew. Will not root upside down. Leaf cutting, Division
Spider plant Very easy to root runners. Pot directly in soil mixture. Division, Leaf cutting
Wandering jew Very easy. May be rooted in water. Herbaceous cutting
Wax plant (Hoya) Use leafy shoots, not long thin vines. Herbaceous cutting, Compound layer
Zebra plant Use nonflowering shoots. Give high humidity and good light. Herbaceous cutting