Clip & Propagate

Let’s talk about growing your garden through propagation. Buying plants from nurseries or other garden centers to build your ideal garden can get pricey. Yes, propagation saves you money, but I love how gratifying it is to grow my favorite plants from cuttings.

Shape your garden by following the simple propagation steps below.

Supplies Needed:

  • Plant with good growth

  • Clean shears or scissors

  • Water

  • Liquid Seaweed or Root Hormone Powder/Gel

  • Potting Soil (not garden soil)

  • 4 inch pot

  • Pencil or Chopstick

  • Label (popsicle sticks work great!)

Let’s learn to propagate:

  1. Start by surveying your yard or garden. Have a favorite plant that is a showstopper? Choose a healthy plant which can spare a few cuttings. In case you’re curious, I love to propagate coleus plants (blog post photo) and had some great success.

  2. Using a pair of clean gardening shears or scissors, cut a stem at an angle in the back section of the plant where it isn’t noticeable. Two points to the step that I want to dive deeper into explanation. The tool you used must be clean to maintain a healthy plant. It’s easy to spread a fungus or bacteria to your plant you’re trying to propagate. The second point is cutting the stem at an angle.

  3. Remove all but two leaves. The energy will be distributed to the growth of a foundation or roots.

  4. Soak the cutting in water or liquid seaweed mix solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. Sometimes, I leave the new cutting soaking in a dark, dry area overnight to increase the success of the propagation. The only time I do not soak the cutting in water or growth promoting solution, is if the plant is a succulent. Succulents store water in their stems and soaking in water will encourage rot. Think overkill!

  5. Prepare the potting soil in the 4 inch pot. Add water to the soil to ensure it is moist.

  6. If using a root hormone, remove the cutting from the water and dip into the growth solution.

  7. Use a pencil, chopstick, or popsicle stick to drill a small hole into the prepared soil.

  8. Gently, place the cutting into the hole. Press around the base of the stem to eliminate air pockets.

  9. Lightly water.

  10. Insert label and place in shade until the new plant baby is established.

Someone recently asked if they should put succulent cuttings in full sun. The answer is no. Think of your new propagated plant cutting as a baby. Humans can take full sun, but would you put an infant in full sun?

Like I said, propagating through cuttings is one of my favorite garden projects. I’ve been able to grow my garden in an inexpensive way and with plants that I know love my garden. If you’re more of a visual person, and want to see more in-depth steps, hop over to my YouTube channel to check out my video tutorial on how to grow your garden through clippings!

Kristy Buchler