Leaf cuttings are mainly used for the propagation of plants with thick fleshy leaves or with plants that lack stems suitable for other methods of propagation. In this method, a whole leaf (or sections of leaves) are inserted or secured onto the growing medium. Some plants, such as gloxinia (Sinningia) and Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) may be propagated from cut sections of fully expanded, undamaged leaves (cut or scored leaves), whilst others, such as African violets (Saintpaulia) and Peperomia may be propagated from entire leaves with their stalks (leaf stalk or petiole cuttings).

Cut or Scored Leaves

1. Choose a strong, healthy leaf and place it face down on your workbench.
2. Using a sharp knife, make a small (1 cm or 1/2 in) cut across each of the strongest veins on the underside of the leaf.
3. Place the leaf flat onto the cutting medium so that the cuts are in contact with the compost. Pin the leaf in place along the veins.
4. Place the cutting in a plastic bag or a propagator and leave in a warm place out of direct sunlight.
5. Plantlets should develop where the leaf veins have been cut; separate them from the parent leaf and pot them on individually.

Taking a Leaf-Stalk Cutting

1. Using a sharp knife, remove a healthy leaf and at least 4 cm (1 1/2 in) of the petiole (stalk) or leaf stem.
2. Hold the leaf gently and dip the cut end of the stalk into a rooting hormone.
3. Insert the leaf stalk into cutting compost at a 45° angle.
4. To create a warm, humid atmosphere, place a small plastic bag over the cutting and fix it with an elastic band around the pot. Do not allow the bag to touch the leaves. Alternatively, place the cutting in a propagator.
5. Each leaf should produce several plantlets. Once the new plants have formed (this will take approximately 8 weeks) remove the cover and separate each new plant from the parent. Avoid damaging the delicate roots.
6. Transplant each new plant using potting compost and water thoroughly.