Visit our plant propagation swap station in the Community Bulletin Board Area (in the lobby) to donate, swap, or adopt plant cuttings.
No library card is required to participate!
What is Propagation?
Propagations are plant cuttings that will grow their own root systems and become new plants. Some can live in water forever with additional nutrients, but they may do better if put in soil. Just be sure to water them well as their roots will need time to adapt!
Many plants, like pothos, ivy, and monsteras, can be rooted in water before transferring to soil. Not sure how to start? Explore our library’s collection of houseplant & propagation books.
How to Participate
- Donating? Label your cutting with the plant name, and date. Please note: The Library cannot accept whole plant donations in pots of dirt at this time.
- Taking a cutting? Use the provided plastic bags and moisten a paper towel to transport your new plant safely.
- One per person! We want as many people as possible to enjoy the program, so please take just one at a time.
Want to learn more?
Try plant identification and care apps like:
- Pl@ntNet. Android. Apple. Help scientists understand the biodiversity of our world and wow everyone with your newly found plant ID skills via Pl@ntNet. Snap a pic of the plant you’d like to ID, the more detailed the better, and see if it matches one of the 20,000 species already in the database. Pics are collected and analyzed by scientists, all as a community-based way to explore earth’s flora and fauna.
- SmartPlant. Android. Apple. Making sure your leafy friends are thriving can be a tricky endeavor, but SmartPlant can help. Identify your plant via the app, then receive reminders on when to water or otherwise care for your vegetation. You can ask experts their opinion on problems and get immediate advice too, on issues like pests, yellowing leaves, withering flowers, and more.
- Blossom. Android. Apple. This mega extensive app can help you with all your planting needs, including keeping a journal of your leafy friends, so you can track their growth and progress. Not sure if that’s a new leaf or your plant’s grown taller? Just refer to your personal plant collection to make sure all is well.
- GardenTags. Android. Apple. If you’re looking to grow your friend group and your garden, check out GardenTags. Novice gardeners can get advice directly from experts, as the app aims to make gardening accessible by creating a community of plant lovers. Leaf lovers for life.
Our Propagation Station is made possible in part by:
