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 Save Coleus Over The Winter
Coleus (Solenostemon now Plectranthus scutellarioides) is one of those lucky annuals that can be saved from a merciless death by frost and freeze. Coleus, which is actually a tropical perennial, can be kept indoors as a house plant then replanted outside in the spring once all…
How to Propagate Variegated Hydrangea from Cuttings
While we were out of town this past weekend we visited one of my wife’s aunts. She has a custom built log cabin in the woods surrounded by her garden. Since her property is very shady one of the most prominent plants in her garden…
Rooting Leaf Cuttings of Sedums
Every now and then there is a plant that will root from the leaves, like Asiatic lilies I wrote about earlier in the year. Sedums are another one of those kinds of plants. Recently I rooted several cuttings of ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum and another sedum…
How to Start Tree and Shrub Seeds in the Fall (Seed Prep)
Fall is the perfect time to start preparing tree and shrub seeds that need a period of cold weather before they’ll sprout. When seed starting tree and shrub seeds I use two techniques that help to trigger better germination rates. The first technique is simply…
How to Propagate Boxwoods from Cuttings
How to Grow Oak Leaf Hydrangeas From Seed
I did a video a while back on Youtube about collecting oak leaf hydrangeas from seed. I thought since now is the ideal time to start collecting those seeds again I would go ahead and direct sow some oak leaf hydrangeas from seed. Below you…
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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?