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.
10 Easy Plants to Propagate for Your Home Garden
Here is a list of 10 plants that are very easy to propagate for your garden that I have found to be extremely easy to root. There are many plants that could be on this list but I decided to stick with some that I…
Germinating Japanese Maple Seeds in a Plastic Bag
I love a nice Japanese maple! Who doesn’t? There are Japanese maples with variegated leaves, ones with deep burgundy colors, others with interesting shaped leaves that are highly dissected and many other kinds. The fall color on a Japanese is almost always guaranteed to be something special. Their…
How to Propagate Boxwoods from Cuttings
How to Propagate Caryopteris
Caryopteris cuttings root very easily from internodal cuttings with greenwood or semi-ripe wood. The best time to take cuttings is the the late spring to early summer to allow time for roots to form and the plant to get established before fall. Caryopteris was one…
Red Twig Dogwood Propagation (Cornus stolonifera)
This week I was excited to find that something I had given up for lost actually worked, cuttings of a red twig dogwood. I took some cuttings in an attempt to propagate Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) back in the fall. After I prepared the…
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…
Discover more from Growing The Home Garden
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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?