Keiki Cloning Paste by Southside Plants - Miracle Growth for

The Verdict

If you’ve got a phalaenopsis orchid that’s finished blooming and you’re wondering whether that little bump on the flower spike is worth keeping, here’s your answer: it might be, and Southside Plants’ Keiki Cloning Paste is the tool that turns that bump into a baby orchid. This 10-gram jar of cytokinin-based growth hormone has become a cult favorite among orchid enthusiasts, and with 220 ratings at 4.4 stars, it’s clearly doing something right — but it’s not magic in a jar.

What You Actually Get

The product arrives in a small glass jar with a brush integrated into the lid. The paste itself is a thick, whitish cream that smells faintly of lanolin. The jar is compact — about the size of a lip balm tin — which is small, but that’s intentional. You’re not slathering this stuff; you’re dabbing it on specific nodes. The included brush applicator is genuinely useful, letting you target a single node with precision rather than smearing product everywhere. One jar should give you 50 or more applications, so the upfront cost works out to well under a dollar per attempt.

How It Performs in Real Use

The mechanism here is straightforward: the paste contains a high concentration of cytokinin, a plant hormone that triggers cell division. When you apply it to a dormant node on a flower spike, it signals the plant to produce a keiki — a baby clone that you can eventually cut and pot separately.

Here’s the honest part: this isn’t instant. The majority of successful users report seeing visible bumps within 2–4 weeks, but actual leaf growth takes 6–8 weeks. Some users report needing to reapply after a few weeks if the node doesn’t respond. As one reviewer put it, “I applied it to three nodes on two orchids, and only one took. But the one that took is now a healthy baby plant I’ve already potted.” That’s the reality — it works, but it’s not guaranteed on every node.

The paste also works beyond orchids. I’ve seen credible reports of success on African violets (leaf petioles), succulents (for offsets), and even some aroids like pothos. The active ingredient is the same regardless of plant type, so the application logic transfers.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The most common positive thread in reviews is the precision applicator. “The brush makes it so easy to apply just a tiny amount exactly where you want it,” one verified buyer noted. Others emphasize the value: “I was skeptical at $20 for a tiny jar, but I’ve used it on 15 different nodes and still have half the jar left.” The success rate on healthy, recently-bloomed phalaenopsis orchids is genuinely high — probably 70-80% when the plant is thriving.

Where It Falls Short

The biggest complaint is inconsistent results. Some users report zero response on plants that seemed healthy. The paste also has a learning curve — apply too much and you can get a blob of undifferentiated callus tissue instead of a clean keiki. And if you don’t seal the jar immediately after use, the paste dries into a crumbly mess that’s hard to apply. A few reviewers also noted that it didn’t work on dendrobiums or cattleyas, so this is primarily a phalaenopsis tool.

Who Should Buy This

• Orchid hobbyists with a healthy phalaenopsis that just finished blooming — this is your best shot at a free second plant.
• Plant propagators who enjoy experimenting and have the patience for an 8-week payoff.
• Gift-givers looking for a unique, practical add-on for a plant-obsessed friend.

Skip it if you’re expecting overnight results, if your orchids are already stressed or rootbound, or if you only own one orchid and don’t care about propagation.

FAQ

Q: How much should I apply to each node? A: A dab about the size of a grain of rice. More is not better — too much paste can cause a callus blob instead of a clean keiki.

Q: Can I use this on a plant that’s currently blooming? A: Technically yes, but it’s wasteful. The plant is directing energy to flowers, not root or shoot production. Wait until the spike has finished blooming and you’ve cut it back to a node.

Q: How long does the paste stay effective after opening? A: If you seal the jar tightly, 6–12 months. If you leave it open, it dries out in weeks. Keep the rim clean so the lid seals properly.

The Verdict

Buy it if you’re a phalaenopsis owner who wants to clone your favorite orchid without waiting for natural keiki production. It’s a legitimate, science-backed tool that works when applied correctly to healthy plants.

Skip it if you’re looking for a universal solution for all plant types, or if you don’t have the patience for a 6–8 week wait.

Rating: 4.2/5 — It does what it claims, but with enough variability that it’s a “very good” tool rather than a “miracle.” The precision applicator and multi-plant versatility tip it into recommended territory for any serious plant person.

This review is based on product research, verified buyer feedback, and real-world propagation experience. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of writing.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.