Once you get gardening , you just ca n’t block ! The propagation of plants can preclude your wallet from suffering and continue to keep your garden growing . Here ’s what you involve to know about flora propagation .

Plant propagation is an easy and affordable agency to get more plant . Essentially , propagation is direct a part of an be plant and growing it into a new plant . While this method acting helps create more plants , it can also economize the healthy part of a dying or diseased industrial plant .

There are a couple of ways of classifying propagation . Sexual propagation uses the flowered parts of a plant and takes the gene of the parent plant to create a new one . This includes growing through seeds or spore .

variegated plant growing in water

This hydrangea cutting in soil will turn into a new hydrange plant!

Asexual propagation is when you take a parent plant and thrust it to rejuvenate into a Modern plant . Essentially , you ’re cloning the plant life , which is done using the vegetive parts of the plant , such as the theme , roots , and leaves .

This is the chief type of extension I will focus on today : propagation by cuttings . If you are interested in the other method acting , read all about cum starting here .

Let ’s get into it !

propagating a new plant

What Are the Different Types of Propagation?

If you need more plant babe , clasp up because there are a ton of ways you may get them ! Let ’s split up down the basics of each method for the multiplication of plants .

Seeds

Everyone knows this one . This is one of the only forms of sexual extension and is most coarse with annuals and vegetables . Shrubs , perennials , and trees can be more unmanageable to develop from seed for the initiate gardener .

Crafty gardener may collect their own ejaculate from their survive garden , or they can buy cum from a seed catalog , online , or at their local garden centre of attention .

Read : The Ultimate Seed Starting Guide

container with seedlings and soil markers

Cuttings

likely the most well - known nonsexual propagation method , cut figure out best for both woody and herbaceous plants .

root word cuttingsare taken from live plants and rootle in either soil or water to make new roots .

foliage cuttingsare when a single leaf is needed to sprout a new plant . This method is most often used for specific indoor plants .

different parts of a stem for plant propagation

When taking garden cuttings , there are a few dissimilar type of cutting that certain plants favor .

Dividing

Dividingis a great method for propagating well - established and overcrowded plants by splitting a plant into small sections . Some plant will have obvious offset , while others may have a crowded root ball .

Layering

The layering method for propagating plants requires you to settle down part of a plant life before you edit it . This is often done by bending a branch to the ground , layering territory on top , and then ground the limb to the ground .

The plant will then settle down in the new section under the soil . Once it has rooted , it can be edit and separated as an individual plant .

Air layeringis another more advanced method . It imply split the stem , fill up it with wetsphagnum moss , and waiting for root to peek their way through .

dividing succulents

Grafting

multiplication by graft is when youtake a cutting off of a parent plant and attach it to the seedling or rootstock of the same species . The two plants will become one , with the parent plant being the top and the seedling becoming the bottom of the works .

Another advanced propagation method acting is grafting , which is often used to ascertain the size of it of trees . For instance , a midget rootstalk of a Japanese Maple or Espalier fruit tree keep the tree ’s mature height at the max meridian of the rootstock . Then , the branches can produce the leaves and fruit of the engraft strain .

Read more about graftingJapanese MaplesandEspalier Fruit Trees .

Branch cuttings in a pile

How to Propagate Plants

While there are many method acting for propagating plants , these are the basics .

Soil Propagation

you may take your plant cuttings and direct them now in the soil . To make your cutting , edit just below a thickening , the point where the leaf and stem attach . This is where the young roots will mature from . This cutting should be 2 - 6 inches in length and take only from healthy parts of a plant .

To set your cutting , stab a muddle in the filth using a pencil or your finger’s breadth , dip inwillow water rooting hormone , and stick the cutting in . throng the soil and provide living if necessary . Once you give the plant a gentle tower and it resist , it has root .

Propagating in Water

Propagating in water sometimes feels like a fun science experimentation . You get to keep an eye on the roots uprise and see that you helped make new sprightliness !

you may propagate in water supply using cuttings by taking a cutting , letting it pluck in water , and determine as the roots develop . When using piss propagation , ensure no leaf are submerged by trimming any bottom leaves as necessary .

Once the roots are around an inch long , transplant your new seedling into grime .

leaf cuttings in terracotta pots

Division

To divide , you will take a large , glob of a plant and divide it into new ones . Dig up the origin bollock of a plant or remove it from its container . mildly remove surplus grime to scrutinise the roots .

Look for natural separation of the plant and carefully rend obscure sections with your hand . Difficult plant may need asoil knife .

Make trusted each section has tolerable roots , bulbs , or Tuber for survive . Repot your divisions and you ’ve obtain double the plants !

how to propagate monstera

Propagation FAQ

What is the most common method of plant propagation?

The average gardener usesseeds , stem cutting , and divisionfor the propagation of flora . They are easy to do and most plants can be circularise using these methods .

Layering and grafting are trickier methods that are often only done by more experienced gardeners and works enthusiast .

What Tools Do You Need to Propagate a Plant?

To make your cuttings , you will want to have asharp brand or duo ofpruners . Before make any cutting , you require to hygienise the sword with eitherrubbing alcoholic beverage or dilute bleach .

Apropagation stationis also a neat addition — this is a dedicated distance to propagate your plants in the abode . This way , you could easily care for and control on any cuttings . A water propagation station should have a narrow spout so the leaves do n’t slip submerged and clear looking glass so you could check on the solution .

For soil propagation , you will need ripe qualitypotting soilto ensure the plant has enough nutrient and air circulation to root successfully . Arooting hormonecan aid to encourage the growth of solution for film editing being rooted in territory .

Pilea peperomioides plant division

you’re able to useseedling traysfor set of cuttings orindividual potswhen propagating one at a clip .

Asoil knifemay be necessary for separate plants that have tangle roots and do n’t desire to come asunder .

Is It Better to Propagate in Water or in Soil?

Some plant are incredibly various and easy to grow and will approve of multiple propagation methods . Other plants can only happen from one .

In my experience , water system multiplication is the easy , fastest , and most fun to see . You make out exactly where your works are in the propagation process . Water multiplication is just for indoor plants and other herbaceous plants .

However , not all plants can grow through water , especially woody plants . Most plant life will develop a better root system in soil and have a mellow succeeder charge per unit . plant made through water propagation sometimes do n’t transplant well to soil .

propagating chinese money plants

When it comes down to it , it ’s up to the plant . All of them have different preferences for disperse , and it is ripe to explore your specific flora .

Special Guides to Propagating

Here at Garden Therapy , I have done pile of research on different method of propagation for specific flora . Here are some more specialized guides you’re able to check out :

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