It can be a daunting task to plant a beautiful garden full of herbs, flowers, shrubs, and other plants. Creating a beautiful, healthy garden requires a lot of time and effort, but it can also cost a lot of money.
When you’re just getting started, cuttings are a great way to save money and time. Your friends and neighbors may be more than happy to donate some cuttings from their own plants, so don’t hesitate to ask!
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to grow plants from cuttings. You’ll soon discover, however, that this method of planting is remarkably simple to master.
Plant Cuttings and Their Different Types
Semi-hardwood, hardwood, greenwood, and softwood cuttings are the four basic types of plant cuttings. In this section, we’ll give you a quick definition of each type, along with examples of plants that fit the bill.
As a bonus, some plants thrive best when cuttings are taken from the tip of the stem or the base of the plant, or from the heel, root, or leaf. These plant propagation techniques aren’t as common, but they can be effective for certain species.
A few plants are capable of producing from a variety of cuttings and fall into multiple categories. Daffodils (also known as pinks) are an excellent example of a plant that can be propagated in a variety of ways.
Cuttings of Semi-Hardwood
Slightly tougher than young cuttings, the term “semi-ripe” refers to mature plants from which semi-hardwood cuttings are taken. From the middle of summer to the beginning of fall, the following plants should be considered:
Camellia
Large, show-stopping flowers of the camellia make it an excellent cutting for propagation.
Azalea
Stunning flowering plants, azaleas are. They’re common in many gardens, and a semi-ripe cutting works well for propagation.
Honeysuckle
The ornamental value of this well-known shrub is highly regarded. Semi-hardwood cuttings work well for propagation.
Cuttings of Hardwood
This includes trees, vines, and deciduous shrubs (such as apple and pear trees) that are usually perennial and can be taken from hardwood cuttings. Angel’s Trumpet, a vine-borne plant with trumpet-shaped flowers, is an excellent candidate for hardwood cuttings.
Cuttings from Greenwood
Cuttings from plants with no woody stems are known as greenwood cuttings. A greenwood cutting is always taken from an annual plant when you take a cutting. Because they don’t have any woody parts, these plants are automatically considered greenwood. A few of the choices you have to include:
Gardenia
Gardenias are known for their fragrant white flowers, which produce a pleasant scent.
Dahlias
Dahlias come in a dazzling array of hues, with more than 20,000 cultivars and 30 different species to choose from.
Boxwood
Boxwood plants, known for their soft green leaves and rounded growth, are easy to shape. They’re also simple to grow and can be multiplied through the use of cuttings.
Cuts from Softwood Trees
Those that come from a young tree are called softwood cuttings. These are typically taken in the spring or early summer.
Aster
There are over 600 different species of aster in North America. It grows quickly from a single stem.
Chrysanthemum
Mums, also known as chrysanthemums or “funeral plants,” are available in a wide range of hues including white and yellow, yellow and off-white as well as rust and burgundy.
Rose
Cuttings of roses are a common method of propagation. Roses can also be classified as hardwoods, depending on the variety you choose to grow.
Hydrangea
An easy-to-grow plant that can be propagated from cuttings, hydrangea is ideal for beginners. Branches and wood that is at least a season old will have the most vibrant flowers, so keep an eye out for those.
Salvia
If you’re looking for a herbal remedy, Salvia is a great place to start. In addition to scarlet, this plant can also be found in salmon, purple and pink hues as well as white and lavender as well as orange and burgundy.
Butterfly Bush
Insect pollination necessitates the presence of the butterfly bush. In the spring and early summer, it produces vibrant, colorful growth, attracting swarms of bees and, of course, butterflies to your yard.
Using cuttings, you can grow the following 20 plants.
Lavender
It’s simple to grow lavender from stem cuttings. These cuttings are best taken in the spring. There is a six-week waiting period before the new plant can be transplanted into the garden. Cuttings can be taken in the fall as well.
If you find that your herb garden has gotten out of hand, it should be replanted in the spring.
Geraniums
Geraniums come in a variety of colors and are one of the few flowers that can be regrown from a cutting by submerging it in water. If you’re just getting started with cuttings, this is a great plant to experiment with. Only cut the length of your cuttings to about 6″ You’ll need to be patient and make sure the leaves don’t float to the bottom of the container. A geranium’s roots can take up to a month to fully develop in water.
Horseradish
One of the easiest plants to grow from cuttings is horseradish, a perennial that grows quickly and aggressively. Replant the cutting in your garden after dividing the root in thirds. The new pieces should be spaced about a foot apart. It’s so simple to grow from cuttings that you don’t even need a separate container.
Hydrangeas
You’ll need to remove four inches from the plant’s tip in order to grow hydrangea from a cutting. Plant the cutting in moist soil, leaving no more than two or three pairs remaining. To keep moisture from escaping, cover the plants with plastic and consider snipping the leaves. It’s a hardy perennial that’s great for first-timers.
Sage
Taking fall cuttings and re-potting them over the winter is the easiest way to regrow sage. In the spring, you’ll be able to plant your new addition. Using a soft stem, Sage can also be grown from cuttings in water, making it easy to propagate.
Fuchsia
Take a cutting of fuchsia in the spring if you want to grow it from seed. After that, replant it in moist compost with sand added to it. Make sure the leaves don’t get bare again. The cuttings will grow quickly and flower in the same season as they were taken.
Oregano
It is possible to grow oregano in water, without the use of soil. Remove all of the lower leaves and any flowers that may be present.
Azalea
In the spring, azaleas are the easiest to propagate. A brittle wood can be felt when the leaves have fully matured. Cut back healthy branches by at least five or six inches. Just below the point where a leaf joins the stem, the cutting should be trimmed. Remove the lower third of the plant’s leaves and the flower buds from the entire cutting.
The rooting hormone should be applied to the end of the cutting before placing it in the potting mix. This will give you a solid foundation. To ensure that your cuttings stay fresh, keep them somewhere that gets plenty of light but isn’t direct.
Rosemary
When given the chance, rosemary will take over your garden, so it’s not surprising that cuttings work so well for this plant. Take cuttings from the plant in the fall or use new, fresh growth in the spring. Always bear in mind that a cutting’s rooting potential is enhanced by its stem’s presence of fresh green color.
The Philodendron
All kinds of philodendrons can be found, with a variety of leaf colors and patterns to choose from. Fortunately, cuttings from most of them can be grown from. Tip cuttings with at least two nodes should be used. These are the simplest to grow because they produce right from the tip (sometimes even before the roots have fully formed).
Jade
Jade is an easy-to-grow bonsai that can be propagated from cuttings. To get started, you’ll need a branch about four inches long. Allow it to dry out before moving on with your day. It’s time to plant the cutting in a potting mix once it’s dried out completely. Until the roots have developed and become strong, keep them moist.
Begonia
Cuttings of begonias should be about an inch long if you want to grow them from seed. If you are using a mix of vermiculite and perlite, be sure to press the cuttings down firmly. Keep the cutting in a well-lit but moist area away from direct sunlight until the roots begin to appear.
African Violet
The African violet is another excellent houseplant to grow from a cutting. You’ll need to begin by removing leaves that are less than two inches long and that appears to be in good health. The stalks of the leaves should be inserted into a tray of moist sand and compost.
Mint
Mint is a very simple plant to grow, and because of this, it is regarded as invasive in some areas. Also, because of its soft stem, it is very easy to propagate from cuttings. It’s possible to grow mint in water, as it’s an aquatic plant. Once it has developed roots, you can plant it in a pot and watch it grow exponentially.
Comfrey
Also, a cutting of comfrey can be used to grow a new plant. Spring or fall is a good time to take cuttings from the plant’s roots. In order to protect the cutting, you’ll need to bury the stem in the ground and mulch it. A deep root system will be formed as a result.
Snake Plant
An attractive houseplant, the snake plant, also known as sansevieria, thrives when propagated from cuttings. Just a few sections of the leaves are all you need. A single-parent plant can produce a large number of cuttings.
Basil
Basil, if it hasn’t flowered yet, is easy to grow from cuttings in water. To get the best results, only use the top leaves and remove the lower ones.
Mother of Thousands
This plant is native to Madagascar and can be found in the wild. You may not be able to successfully grow it outside, but if you are interested in propagating your own plants from cuttings, it is an excellent houseplant to grow.
It’s easy to grow in soil, and the roots will take hold quickly. Succulents like this one do well on a sunny windowsill.
Thyme
Thyme is another herb that can be grown from cuttings. This plant reseeds just like rosemary and can be grown in the same container of water, as long as there is enough room.
Pelargonium
Pelargoniums are closely related to geraniums, but they add a dash of sophistication to your home’s décor. These plants thrive in the house and can be propagated from cuttings with relative ease. Remove a three-inch section, starting at a node, and you’re done.
All that’s left are a couple of leaf pairs at the very top. A moist paper towel can be used to wrap the stem and then submerge its nodes in the water. In just three weeks, you’ll be able to see roots! Replant in a three-inch pot only when you have three long roots.
The Best Ways to Prepare and Cut Your Cuttings
The mother plant is the one that will supply the cuttings. Always select a mother plant that is in good health and is growing vigorously. Keep in mind that if you take cuttings from a plant that is already weak, you run the risk of weakening it even further and possibly killing it.
There are fewer challenges in propagating plants with stems that aren’t made of wood. The mother plant should be large enough to handle a few cuttings without weakening it. Green stems that are not suitable for tip cuttings should always be preferred over woody stems because new, fresh growth will take root more readily on the former.
You’re looking for a stem with a node (this is the spot where the leaf either was attached or is currently still attached). This is where new roots will begin to form in the soil. A pair of sterilized scissors (as sharp as possible) can be used to remove the cutting. You don’t need an absurdly long cutting to get a few healthy leaves; a few inches will do.
Put the cuttings from the mother plant’s stem on a hard surface, such as a cutting board, after you’ve cut them off. Slice down to the node, and you’ll see where the plant begins to send out new roots. You’ll have a better chance of successfully rooting the cutting if you can cut directly at the node.
Do away with most of the foliage, save for a few select specimens. For photosynthesis to work, the cutting must have some leaf growth; otherwise, it will be unable to absorb nutrients from its roots. However, you don’t want to overburden the plant with too many leaves, as this can divert energy away from the roots.
Dip the plant’s stem in the rooting hormone, then. This will encourage the plant to take root and speed up the process as well.
Planting Cuttings: A Guide
As soon as the plant cuttings are ready to be planted, you’ll want to get your planting container ready as well. Your cuttings should not be planted directly into the ground; instead, they should be placed in a separate container. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about external factors (such as wind, precipitation, and temperature fluctuations) weakening your fragile young plants because you’ll have more control over the cuttings. In addition to growing in containers, these 35 fruit and vegetable choices can also be grown in your own backyard.
For cuttings, use a soilless potting mix. This type of soil drains better than others, and it will remain moist but not soggy. You should avoid using soil from your garden, as it may contain fungal spores, bacteria, and other pathogens that could kill or weaken your cutting before it has a chance to root out.
Depending on the type of cutting you’re trying to grow, you’ll need a different rooting medium. Like most of the herbs we’ve mentioned, softwood cuttings with young stems (like the ones we showed you) thrive best in a jar of water. Soil- or sand-based potting mixes are required for cuttings of hard or semi-hardwood. It’s possible to grow hardwood cuttings in perlite (though you’ll need to relocate them after the cuttings have rooted).
Even if your plant grows to be quite large, you don’t need a huge container for it to thrive. Another great way to save money is by not needing to spend hundreds of dollars on potting soil in order to get started with your garden. You’ll have to move your cuttings to a larger pot as they take root and grow in size. Just be sure to use a container with good drainage.
Insert a pointed object like a knife blade or pencil into the potting soil to make holes. This will keep the rooting hormone on the stem cutting rather than on the surface of the soil, allowing it to be more effective.
Pat the soil down around the cuttings before placing them in the holes you created. As long as the leaves aren’t touching, you can put several cuttings in a single container.
Unfortunately, even if you transfer your cuttings perfectly and plant them meticulously, not all of them will survive. It’s all in good fun! With practice, you’ll get better at taking cuttings and growing plants from them.
Taking Care of the Cuts
No additional fertilizer or nutrients are needed once your cutting has been placed in the container. Despite the fact that the plant has no roots at this time, It’s critical, however, to make certain that every cut has access to enough light and air. Make certain that your container has good drainage and is placed in a warm, well-ventilated area (best in indirect sunlight).
Do not let your cutting dry out, but moistness is necessary for the plant’s root system to establish. You may want to cover the plant with a clear plastic bag. As a result, it can help to retain moisture in the growing space.
A plant’s leaves are its primary means of evaporation and loss of moisture, so you must work twice as hard to help your plant retain moisture. Evaporation can be slowed by using a cover. By misting your plants, you can ensure that they receive adequate watering. The soil will not be flooded or washed out as a result of this action!
Under your plants, you can also place a heating pad or a germination mat. This will help to stimulate new root growth at the bottom of the soil. DIY plant stands are a great way to display decorative flowers like snake plants.
Plants need access to light, so the cover must be clear. To avoid drying out, keep your plant out of direct sunlight. Your plant is ready to be replanted once it starts producing new leaves and a new root system. Congratulations!
Plant Cutting Care: Some General Guidelines
Do some research on the type of plant you intend to grow from a cutting before you get started on your project, Because the propagation requirements of each plant vary, it is critical that you take your time to determine which method will be most effective.
Make sure the plants you choose are suitable for your area and are not invasive. There are a variety of factors to consider, such as soil type, moisture content, sunlight exposure, and wind direction, before deciding where to plant your trees.
Start with one or two plants and see if you can get them to grow from cuttings. Stick with it and you’ll see the benefits in time. The more you practice, the more adept you will become at growing plants from cuttings.
