Here is a little guide on various plants that you can propagate in your home garden. I’ve included the types of propagation where I’ve been successful (seeds, Layering, Division, Cuttings, etc.). If I can do it so can you! The links in the tables below will take you to posts I have written as a guide based on my experiences with propagating these plants. My propagation methods are not necessarily the only way or the best way but I have found success with them. I hope this is a helpful resource for you to propagate more plants.
Propagating Perennials
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Methods of Propagation |
|---|---|---|
| Agastache (Anise hyssop) | Agastache foeniculum | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ | Artemisia arborescens x Artemisia absinthium | Cuttings, Layering |
| Asiatic Lily | Lilium | Division, Seeds, Leaf Cuttings/Bulbils |
| Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Catmint | Nepeta racemosa | Cuttings, Division, Seeds |
| Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea, E. paradoxa, E. augustifolia | Cuttings, Division, Seeds |
| Hosta | Hosta plantaginea | Division, Seeds (may not come true from seed) |
| Montauk Daisy | Nipponanthemum nipponicum | Cuttings |
| Penstemon | Penstemon digitalis | Cuttings, Division, Seeds |
| Russian Sage | Perovskia atriplicifolia | Hardwood and Softwood Cuttings |
| Salvia | Salvia nemorosa | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Switchgrass | Panicum virgatum | Division, Seeds |
Propagating Shrubs and Trees
Trees and shrubs can be propagated from a variety of methods. Always get good, clean, disease free material when taking cuttings. For best results choose material from 1st year growth.
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Propagation Method |
|---|---|---|
| Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | Cuttings |
| Buckeye | Aesculus pavia | Seed |
| Boxwoods | Buxus | Cuttings |
| Birch (River) | Betula nigra | Cuttings |
| Crape Myrtle/Crepe Myrtle | Lagerstroemia indica | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Honeysuckle (Native) | Lonicera sempervirens | Cuttings |
| Ginkgo | Gingko biloba | Seeds |
| Grapes | Vitis | Cuttings |
| Hydrangea | H. macrophylla, H. serrata | Cuttings |
| Hydrangea (Oak Leaf) | Hydrangea quercifolia | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Japanese Maple | Acer palmatum | Cuttings, Grafting, Seeds |
| Leyland Cypress | Cupressus × leylandii | Cuttings |
| Magnolia, Sweetbay | Magnolia virginiana | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | Cuttings |
| Plum, Fruiting | Prunus | Cuttings |
| Red Twig Dogwood | Cornus sericea, C. alba | Cuttings |
| Viburnum ‘Shasta’ | Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosa | Cuttings, Layering |
Propagating Annuals
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Methods of Propagation |
|---|---|---|
| Coleus | Coleus scutellarioides | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Impatiens | Impatiens walleriana | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Petunia | Petunia | Seeds |
| Zinnia | Zinnia elegans | Seeds |
Propagating Herbs
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Methods of Propagation |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Cuttings, Division, Seeds |
| Stevia | Stevia rebaudiana | Cuttings, Seeds |
This page is in progress and will be updated periodically with information on how to propagate these plants. For specific information on how to propagate plants and links to posts on some of the plants I have propagated go to this post on basic plant propagation for home gardeners.
Fall to Winter Cuttings of Arborvitae for Propagation
Back in the fall I decided to take some arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) cuttings and test to see how well they would root over the winter. Propagating plants over the winter as hardwood cuttings has some big advantages so it was definitely worth trying. How I…
How to Grow Southern Magnolias from Seed
The other day while on a shopping trip I sat in the car with my daughters while my wife ran into the store for a few things. In front of our parking space was a magnolia. I doubt it was the full sized magnolia (Magnolia…
Rooting Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum Propagation)
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is one of my favorite shrubs (among too many to list) for good reason! It’s easy to grow, it’s dark glossy leaves change to various colors in red hues during the fall, and it provides nourishment in the form of berries…
How to Grow Sweetbay Magnolia from Seeds
No matter where I go when I see seeds that are ripe I’m tempted to collect them. That was the case when walking around Knoxville last year and seeing some ripe magnolia seeds on some Sweetbay magnolia plants. Sweetbay magnolias have several names including: sweetbay…
How to Propagate Lavender from Cuttings for The Home Garden
Lavender is a great perennial plant to have around the garden and is an easy one for home gardeners to propagate. Designers use it in knot gardens, formal gardens, or even in pots. It smells great when touched and also has insect repellent properties to…
How to Grow Ginkgo Trees from Seed
Ginkgo trees are beautiful and amazing trees. These trees (Ginkgo biloba) are native to Asia and can be extremely long lived, as in over 1,000 years! In fact the ginkgo species existed at the same time as the dinosaurs. Ginkgo trees are also called the…
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I am an experienced gardener. For months I have been attempting to root coleus with NO success? As I have done for years, I put the cuttings in water in a clear glass near my kitchen sink, so I will see the roots easily. Instead of growing roots, the ends of the stems get very soft and fall apart. I do not give up easily, so I try more cuttings, with the same result. Does anyone have an idea what is going on?
What about using vermeculite?