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.
How To Propagate Salvia from Cuttings
Salvia is one of my favorite perennials to propagate and spring and summer are the best times to do root cuttings of salvia from stem tip cuttings. Pretty soon our gardens will be filled with salvia blooms and you’ll see why I like them so…
How to Propagate a Dogwood Tree from Cuttings (Cornus florida)
I successfully rooted a Florida dogwood (Cornus florida) from a cutting! This is a tree that’s been tricky in the past for me to propagate, and I finally had some success I think is worth sharing. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what…
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…
Oak Leaf Hydrangea Propagation (Cuttings) the Results
Oak leaf hydrangeas are an awesome landscape shrub to add to the garden. They get big and need room and enjoy part shade/part sun locations but if you have the right spot for one by all means add one! I’m always trying to propagate a…
How to Propagate Birch Trees Through Cuttings – Info on Rooting Birch Trees
Birch tree cutting from a cutting taken in summer Have you ever wanted to try propagating birch trees from cuttings? The river birch is definitely worth propagating for your garden for many reasons. First of all birch trees can be rooted! While I’ve tried propagating…
How to Grow Plants from Hardwood Cuttings (Winter Plant Propagation)
I’ve always been one to enjoy experimenting with plant propagation in the garden. This past weekend, since the weather was so pleasant, I went on hardwood cutting spree. Hardwood cuttings are very easy to do. The success rate varies quite a lot depending on 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?