---
title: "Hello!! I’m brand spanking new to the world of houseplants and have…"
description: "Hello!! I’m brand spanking new to the world of houseplants and have about 16 to maintain. I’m propagating a Chinese evergreen and dragon tree from cuttings.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/zpEepP5qhY53nZ3Pf53gxr"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Cyn"
published: "2025-08-12T03:02:23.012767Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CE9InndeOFlaW52NazSly0w4_KZu3tglQ34uQyxvPA0/EVCYaX8NTn62NTvUAgFfeQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello!! I’m brand spanking new to the world of houseplants and have…

_Posted by Cyn on 2025-08-12_

Hello!!

I’m brand spanking new to the world of houseplants and have about 16 to maintain. I’m propagating a Chinese evergreen and dragon tree from cuttings. The Chinese evergreen had bad root rot so I’m trying to salvage the healthy stems. The dragon was long and the tallest trunk snapped off when transporting.

Both are in water and are just now starting to show the beginnings of roots coming in. When is it safe to move them to soil?

Thank you!

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CE9InndeOFlaW52NazSly0w4_KZu3tglQ34uQyxvPA0/EVCYaX8NTn62NTvUAgFfeQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CE9InndeOFlaW52NazSly0w4_KZu3tglQ34uQyxvPA0/yYf5GXLqSEeHLsDDCY8bmA.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Leesh commented on 2025-08-12

I wouldn’t transfer until they get secondary roots. It will be awhile but patience is a virtue in this hobby. Good luck 🫶🏼

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fjTd2h7JIAiaVH2hMuWs4H9eRN_pMPAeo4Fbxc2bnLs/AFfd4PXPRU2OJRybHE0fQw.webp?size=large)

#### Cyn replied on 2025-08-12

Ooh okay! I’m not a patient person but I’ll definitely wait on these.

### Cyn commented on 2025-08-12

Oh man! Okay. I read that the Chinese evergreen could get used to being in water and could suffer when moved to soil. But I also read that there is no such thing as “water roots.”

#### Zack replied on 2025-08-12

If you let the plant acclimate for a very long time in water, then it would be very difficult to pot into soil. But 99% of the time you’ll be solid :) once roots set in to soil and the plant gets comfy you’ll see new growth in a couple months. I had to do the same with my baby rubber plant

#### Cyn replied on 2025-08-12

Exciting! Two of my Chinese evergreen stems have new leaves coming in just sitting in water. I’m very hopeful that they’ll thrive once in soil

### Emily commented on 2025-08-12

I know everyone says propagating is easy but I sick at it without help. Not sure if it’s because I have hard water. I use prop drops in water or a root powder if planting in soil and it really helps me out. Can get at Lowe’s.

### Cyn commented on 2025-08-12

I have very hard water too and mine have been doing great! I change the water twice a week and make sure they get plenty of indirect sunlight. I even have two with new leaves coming in. I’m going to look into the root powder though. I have a bunch that I’m going to propagate soon.

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