Propagating plants through cuttings is a rewarding and economical way to expand your garden. This method of plant reproduction involves cutting a piece of a plant—typically a stem or leaf—and rooting it to create a new plant.
This technique can be particularly satisfying as it allows gardeners to replicate their favorite plants and herbs with ease.
Here, we explore how to propagate 20 different plants and herbs from cuttings, ensuring each new plant thrives in your garden or home.
1. Basil: Aromatic Ease
Basil, a staple in culinary gardens, is one of the easiest herbs to propagate. Begin by selecting a healthy stem about 4 inches long and snip it just below a leaf node.
Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and place it in a glass of water. Within a week, roots should begin to appear.
Once they reach a couple of inches, plant the cutting in potting soil. Basil loves sunlight and regular watering, ensuring a quick transition to robust growth.
2. Mint: The Prolific Grower
Mint is notorious for its growth vigor and can easily be propagated from cuttings. Take a 5-inch stem cutting from an existing mint plant, stripping off the lower leaves. Place the stem in water, and soon roots will sprout.
Mint prefers moist, but well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Once established, mint can spread quickly, so consider container planting to control its growth.
3. Rosemary: Resilient and Fragrant
Rosemary cuttings should be taken from new, green growth, not the older, woody sections. Cut a 3-inch long stem and remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder and plant in a mixture of peat and perlite.
Rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for any herb garden.
4. Lavender: For Relaxation and Growth
Propagating lavender requires a bit more patience. Select a non-flowering shoot and cut a 3 to 4-inch section.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant it in a gritty, well-draining soil mix.
Lavender requires full sun and good air circulation. It generally takes a few weeks longer to root but establishing a new plant from cuttings is highly rewarding due to its aromatic and therapeutic benefits.
5. Thyme: Small Cuttings, Big Flavor
Thyme can be propagated similarly to rosemary. Take cuttings in late spring before the plant flowers for best results.
Cut a 3-inch piece from the tip of a stem, remove the bottom leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Plant in well-draining soil and place in a sunny spot. Thyme is drought-tolerant and loves the sun, making it an easy keeper in the garden.
6. Oregano: The Versatile Herb
Oregano cuttings can be taken from both soft and semi-hardwood stems. Cut a 4-inch stem, strip off the lower leaves, and either plant in a moist soil mix or place in water to root.
Oregano needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Once rooted and transplanted, it spreads readily and provides a plentiful harvest.
7. Sage: The Savory Herb
Sage propagation is best done in spring. Take a 4-inch cutting from the tip of a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, and apply rooting hormone. Plant it in a sandy, well-draining potting mix and keep it moist.
Sage prefers sunny locations and doesn’t require much water once established, making it another low-maintenance herb for your garden.
8. Hydrangea: Colorful Blooms
Hydrangeas are propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer. Cut a 5-inch stem below a leaf node, remove the lower leaves, and dip the base into rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in moist potting soil and cover with a plastic bag to retain humidity.
Hydrangeas prefer partial shade and moist, fertile soil. Patience is key, as hydrangeas may take longer to root but reward with beautiful blooms.
9. Geraniums: Bright and Cheerful
To propagate geraniums, take a 4-inch cutting from a healthy stem, remove all but the top few leaves, and dip in rooting hormone.
Plant in a pot with well-draining soil. Geraniums need bright light and moderate moisture. They root easily and are excellent for adding color to your home or garden.
10. Fuchsia: Vibrant Displays
For fuchsias, early summer is the best time for cuttings. Select a young shoot and cut just below the second or third pair of leaves.
Remove all but the top pair of leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and insert into a peat-perlite mix. Keep moist and in indirect light.
Fuchsias thrive in cooler temperatures and partial shade, perfect for hanging baskets or garden borders.
11. African Violet: Delicate Beauty
African violets can be propagated from leaf cuttings. Choose a healthy leaf and cut its stem at a 45-degree angle.
Insert the cut end into a mix of perlite and peat moss, ensuring the leaf itself is not buried. Keep the soil moist and cover the pot with plastic to create a humid environment. Place in indirect light.
Roots and new plants should form at the base of the inserted leaf stem within weeks. African violets prefer warm conditions and indirect sunlight.
12. Jade Plant: Lush Succulent
Jade plants are ideal for beginners because they root easily from cuttings. Snip a 3-5 inch stem and allow it to dry for a couple of days to form a callus.
Plant it in a well-draining sandy soil mix. Water sparingly until roots form, which typically takes about four weeks. Jade plants need bright light and occasional watering, thriving on neglect.
13. Spider Plant: Easy and Airy
Spider plants are extremely forgiving and propagate readily from their “babies” or spiderettes. Cut off a spiderette and place the base in water or directly into soil. If using water, transplant once roots develop.
Spider plants prefer bright indirect light and slightly moist soil. They are excellent for improving indoor air quality.
14. Coleus: Colorful Foliage
Coleus is propagated from stem cuttings which root quickly in water or soil. Cut a stem about 4-6 inches long, remove the lower leaves, and submerge the stem in water.
Roots should appear within a week. Plant in a pot with well-draining soil and place in a spot with indirect light.
Coleus plants prefer moist soil and partial shade, and their vibrant leaves add spectacular color to your garden.
15. Pothos: The Forgiving Climber
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to propagate with cuttings. Snip a piece of stem about 4 inches long, making sure it has at least 4 leaves.
Place the stem in water, ensuring no leaves are submerged. Roots will develop in a few weeks. Pothos prefers low light and can tolerate a range of watering habits, making it a resilient choice for indoor gardeners.
16. Philodendron: The Jungle Vine
Philodendrons can be propagated similarly to pothos. Take a cutting with at least two nodes. Place it in water or moist soil, ensuring at least one node is submerged as roots grow from these points. Philodendrons prefer medium to bright indirect light and evenly moist soil.
17. Begonia: The Shade Lover
For begonias, take a stem cutting about 4 inches long, remove all but the top leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Plant in a well-draining potting mix and keep the soil moist. Cover the pot with plastic to maintain humidity. Begonias prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity.
18. Impatiens: The Shade Bloomer
Impatiens propagate easily from stem cuttings. Cut a 4-inch stem, remove the lower leaves, and insert the stem into moist soil.
Keep the soil damp and place the pot in a shady area. Impatiens root quickly and will produce flowers continuously in the right conditions.
19. Chrysanthemums: The Fall Favorite
Propagate chrysanthemums by taking a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy stem. Remove the lower leaves and dip the end into rooting hormone.
Plant in a moist, well-draining soil mix. Chrysanthemums prefer full sun and will bloom profusely in the fall.
20. Dill: The Herb of Choice
Dill can be propagated from cuttings, though it’s less common. Take a 5-inch cutting from a healthy plant, remove the lower leaves, and place in water.
Once roots develop, plant in rich, well-draining soil. Dill loves full sun and grows best in cooler climates.
Propagating plants from cuttings is a simple and enjoyable way to expand your garden or start new plants for indoors.
Each of these twenty plants offers a unique benefit, whether it’s floral beauty, aromatic presence, or culinary uses.
By following the tips outlined, gardeners of all levels can successfully propagate and enjoy the fruits of their labor, nurturing new life from existing plants.