More Milkweed (Swan Plant) for free!

When you have a beautiful swan plant but it's "top heavy" with all the new growth, it's at risk of storm damage when the wind gets up. Here's something you can do and you actually DOUBLE the amount of food you have for hungry caterpillars.

1. Use sharp secateurs, and have a bucket of water and a hammer at the ready.

2. Cut just above a node* and cut on an angle as indicated by the scissors in the photo. The reason for this is that if you cut straight across, rainwater can sit there and rot the stem. With an angled cut and the water is more likely to run off.

(* a node is where the petiole attaches to the stem. A great deal of metabolic activity happens here, promoting the growth of leaves, secondary stems and flowers)

You cut just above the node so that the two shoots from the node will then turn into branches of gorgeous, healthy leaves. You've doubled your food supply! The original stem above the node will die and if you leave it there, it may attract disease, hence cutting close to the node.

3. With the branch you've cut off IMMEDIATELY use the hammer to break up the cut end (about 1cm above the cut) and plunge it into the bucket of water. This will prevent the sap from sealing off the cut and the plant will be able to continue to ingest water. Some pieces even strike roots and you can plant them out later!

When you get caterpillars you can let them feed on the cuttings first. Make sure the caterpillars can't fall into the water though.

There are more swan plant hacks on our YouTube channel.