Air layering
/ˈer ˌleɪərɪŋ/
Definition
Air layering is a vegetative propagation technique in which roots are induced to form on a stem or branch while it remains attached to the parent plant. A small section is usually wounded or girdled, then wrapped with moist rooting medium and covered to hold moisture. Once roots develop, that rooted section is cut off and planted. Unlike cuttings, the stem continues receiving water and sugars from the parent during rooting.
Practical Relevance
- Best use case: Air layering is especially useful on woody houseplants, shrubs, and small trees that root slowly from stem cuttings or are difficult to propagate by seed.
- Cloned growth habit: Because air layering produces a vegetative clone, the new plant keeps the parent’s cultivar traits, including leaf form, variegation, and growth habit.
- Larger new plants: Unlike many cuttings, air layering can produce a well-sized new plant before it is removed, which often shortens the time from propagation to an established specimen.
- Rooting while attached: The stem stays connected to the parent during root formation, so it continues receiving water and sugars, which can improve success on stems that would wilt if cut first.
Related Terms
Layering
Layering is a vegetative propagation technique in which a stem forms roots while still attached to the parent plant…
Propagation
Propagation is the process of producing new plants from seeds, spores, or vegetative parts such as stem cuttings…
Vegetative reproduction
Vegetative reproduction refers to a form of asexual plant reproduction in which new plants grow from roots, stems…
Asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction is a biological process in which a plant produces new individuals from one parent without…
Adventitious roots
Adventitious roots are roots that develop from non-root tissues, such as stems, leaves, or old woody parts, rather than…
Cuttings
Cuttings are pieces of a plant, such as stem, leaf, or root sections, removed from the parent plant and used to produce…
Grafting
Grafting is a horticultural technique in which tissues from two plants are joined so they grow as one. The upper piece…
Clone
Clone refers to a plant, group of plants, or cells that are genetically identical to the original source because they…