EN

✢ Friendship

Plant cutting ritual to help a friendship grow

A cutting is a small piece of a plant that, with water and patience, grows roots and becomes a new plant. Giving one is an old custom between neighbours, families and friends: you share something alive that you were already caring for at home. This ritual turns it into a symbol of a friendship you want to cultivate, whether it is new or you want to give it a fresh start.

By the Cardaluna editorial team · Updated

In short: A cutting is a small piece of a plant that, with water and patience, grows roots and becomes a new plant. You need 5 simple items and 5 steps. When: In spring, summer or early autumn, when plants root best, ideally during a waxing moon.

When to do it

In spring, summer or early autumn, when plants root best, ideally during a waxing moon. Also when someone moves into a new home or starts a new chapter.

What you need

  • An easy-to-propagate houseplant, such as a spider plant (Chlorophytum), which is also non-toxic to pets
  • Clean scissors
  • A small glass jar or glass of water
  • A piece of string or ribbon
  • A card and a pen

Step by step

  1. Choose a healthy stem and cut it with clean scissors just below a node; with a spider plant, simply separate one of its baby plantlets.
  2. Place it in the jar of water and, as you do, think about this person and what you love sharing with them.
  3. Write on the card a happy memory you share and a wish for your friendship, for example: "May we keep growing, each at our own pace."
  4. Tie the card to the jar with the string and say softly: "What is cared for takes root."
  5. Give it in person if you can and explain how to look after it: bright light without direct sun and fresh water every week until roots appear and it can go into a pot.

Safety first

These rituals are symbolic. Do not ingest herbs or oils, ventilate the room when burning incense or herbs, and never perform a ritual to harm or control anyone.

To finish

When the cutting takes root, send each other a photo of how it is doing: the perfect excuse to meet up again. If the friendship lives far away, pair it with the postcard ritual.