Several herbaceous perennials and annuals can be propagated by stem cuttings. These cuttings can be taken at any time of the year, but many gardeners prefer to take them in spring or fall.
Propagating by herbaceous stem cuttings is a great way to create more perennial plants to expand plantings or give to friends, as well as save annuals over winter.
How to Propagate Herbaceous Plants by Stem Cuttings
- Remove a 2 to 4-inch stem tip with a clean, sharp knife.
- Gently remove the leaves from the lower half of the cut stem or cutting.
- Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone, if available. Many garden centers will sell rooting hormones. Rooting hormone is not required for all cuttings.
- Carefully, insert the cut end into a container filled with moist perlite (available at garden centers). Several cuttings can be placed in a 6-inch container.
- Water lightly.
- Cover the container with a clear plastic bag to create a tent over the cutting or cuttings. Secure the plastic with a rubber band around the base of the container.
- Place covered containers in a location receiving indirect light for several weeks. Some condensation should form inside the plastic.
- Check the perlite regularly to ensure that it stays moist. Water lightly if needed. Remove any leaves or cuttings that are discolored or moldy.
Most cuttings form roots in 4 to 6 weeks. Gently tug on the stem tips to see if they are rooted. If there is some resistance during the "tug test", the cuttings may have formed fine roots. When the roots are at least 1 inch long, they are ready for transplanting into individual containers. After transplanting, move the rooted cuttings into well-lit locations for optimal growth until they are large enough to be planted in the garden.
Herbaceous Plants Well-Suited for Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Perennials
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum)
- Lavender (Lavandula)
- Mint (Mentha)
- Catmint (Nepeta)
- Beardtonuge (Penstemon)
- Garden Phlox (Phlox)
- Perennial Sage (Salvia)
- Stonecrop (Sedum)
- Aster (Symphyotrichum)
- Thyme (Thymus)
- Speedwell (Veronica)
Annuals
- Begonia (Begonia)
- Sapphire flower (Browallia speciosa)
- Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
- Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
- Spurge (Euphorbia)
- fuchsia (Fuchsia)
- Polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
- Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana, I. hawkeri, I. balsamina)
- Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Geranium (Pelargonium)
- Beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)
- Petunia (Petunia)
- Plectranthus (Plectranthus)
- Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Salvia (Salvia splendens, S. farinacea, S. coccinea)
- Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
- Verbena (Verbena)