Inch Plant

Choosing Your Inch Plant

Hi there, gardening friend! The Inch Plant (also known as Kleinia repens) is a lovely trailing plant that’s perfect for hanging baskets or containers. You can start with seeds, but it's much easier to begin with cuttings or small starter plants if you're new to gardening. If you don’t already have one, head over to your local nursery or garden center and ask for an Inch Plant.

Tip: This plant loves bright light but doesn’t need direct sunlight all day—perfect for indoor spaces like windowsills or shaded balconies.

Timing

You can plant your Inch Plant at any time of the year, but spring is ideal because it gives the plant plenty of time to grow before winter. If you live in a colder area, planting indoors or in a greenhouse works best.

Tools and Materials

Small pots or containers with drainage holes

Regular potting soil (a mix designed for houseplants works great)

Watering can or spray bottle

• A pair of scissors (if starting from cuttings)
• Bright, indirect light location

Tip: Start small! Even a 4-inch pot will give your Inch Plant enough space to thrive initially.

If Using Cuttings:

1. Take a healthy cutting about 3-4 inches long from an existing Inch Plant (ask a friend or neighbor if they have one!)
2. Remove the lower leaves so only the top few remain
3. Place the cutting in water or directly into moist soil
4. If using water, wait until roots form (usually takes 1-2 weeks), then transfer to soil
5. Keep the soil lightly moist while the roots establish

If Using Starter Plants:

1. Fill a small pot with well-draining soil
2. Dig a small hole in the soil, place the root ball of the starter plant inside, and cover gently with soil
3. Lightly press down on the soil to secure the plant
4. Water thoroughly after planting

Tip: Don’t bury too much of the stem when planting; just cover the roots and leave the leaves exposed.

Sunlight Requirements

Inch Plants prefer bright, indirect light, so keep them near a window with filtered sunlight. They can handle some direct morning sun, but too much direct afternoon sun might burn their leaves.

Watering Method

• Check the top inch of soil: if it feels dry, it’s time to water!
• Water thoroughly until you see water coming out of the drainage holes, then let the soil dry out a bit before watering again.
• Be careful not to overwater—this plant likes its soil to dry out between waterings.

Tip: Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves occasionally if the air feels dry, especially during winter when heaters are running.

Fertilizing Tips

• Feed your Inch Plant once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
• Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength—it’s better to underfeed than overfeed.
• Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant slows down its growth.

Trimming and Pruning

To keep your Inch Plant looking lush and full, trim back any leggy stems every few months. Simply snip off the longer stems just above a leaf node (where the leaf meets the stem). This encourages the plant to branch out and grow more leaves.

Since the Inch Plant is mostly grown for its attractive foliage, you won’t be harvesting fruits or flowers. However, you can “harvest” cuttings anytime to propagate new plants!

How to Harvest Cuttings:

1. Look for a healthy stem with several leaves.
2. Cut just below a leaf node (about 3-4 inches long).
3. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top ones.
4. Place the cutting in water or soil to grow a new plant.

Tip: Sharing cuttings with friends is a great way to spread the joy of this easy-care plant!

1. Yellow Leaves

Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage.
Solution: Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Make sure your pot has drainage holes.

2. Leggy Growth

Cause: Not enough light.
Solution: Move the plant closer to a brighter window or provide supplemental light with a grow lamp.

3. Leaf Drop

Cause: Sudden temperature changes or drafts.
Solution: Keep your Inch Plant away from cold drafts, heaters, or air conditioners.

4. Pests (e.g., Spider Mites or Mealybugs)

Cause: Dry air or poor ventilation.
Solution: Increase humidity by misting the plant regularly or placing a tray of water nearby. Wipe pests off with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap.

5. Slow Growth

Cause: Lack of nutrients or insufficient light.
Solution: Fertilize monthly during the growing season and ensure the plant gets enough bright, indirect light.