I do a lot of cuttings and have experimented with quite a few mediums but over the years I’ve found that sand is one of the best options out there for a rooting medium. Sand is readily available, sterile, and versatile, making it an excellent choice for successful propagation. In this post I’ll tell you about the advantages of using simple sand as a rooting medium to create loads of new plants.
The Benefits of Sand as a Rooting Medium
- Sand is easily accessible at local stores. Almost all of your local hardware stores will have sand of some kind that you can use for your cuttings. I’ve used builders sand, paver sand, and play sand to successfully root cuttings.
- Sand is sterile and inorganic, reducing the risk of diseases. Since sand is devoid of organic matter there are lower chances for bacterial of fungal diseases to get started.
- You can reuse sand after a simple cleaning! Just pour boiling water over the sand, use a 10% bleach solution, or solarize it!
- Sand can be used successfully for a wide array of plant species.
The Main Disadvantage of Using Sand
When compared to other mediums the biggest issue with sand is the weight. Sand is very heavy, especially when wet. To offset this you can mix mediums a little. If the weight of sand is too heavy consider adding perlite or fine back shavings (often called soil conditioner) to your mix.
Things to Consider when using Sand
- Ensure your sand is dry initially.
- Add just enough water to get the sand thoroughly moist. If you get too much water just drain a little off the top.
- Consider adding drainage for your containers. I will often forego the drainage holes if I am able to routinely monitor the cuttings. Otherwise I’ll use a container with holes. Check the video I have posted below for a more thorough explanation.
Taking Cuttings
- Cut a cutting of your chosen plant.
- Remove lower leaves to reduce growing strains on the plant. If you have too many leaves left on a plant with no roots the plant will not be able to bring in enough moisture to keep them alive and it will over tax the plant which causes cutting failure.
- Pinch off flower buds to redirect growth into growing roots.
Rooting Hormones and Sand
- In the video above I demonstrate taking cuttings of coleus and basil which typically don’t require rooting hormones. If you choose cuttings that need rooting hormone try using a dibber to prevent the rooting hormone from sliding off of the cutting.
- These cuttings root well in water as well but I’ve found that the reduced light around the base of the cutting improves rooting and will help with transplanting later.
Sticking Cuttings in Sand
- Gently slide the cutting into the sand. You can use a dibber if that helps to open up a hole for the cutting. Dibbing the hole first prevents the rooting hormone from rubbing off. Be sure to press the medium back against the stem cutting.
- Ensure the sand holds the cutting securely.
- You can use a single container for multiple cuttings.
Maintaining Moisture
- Monitor and replenish water as needed. Sand can dry out quickly, so water as needed which might be daily.
- You can also help prevent water loss through transpiration by misting the leaves occasionally.
With sand as your rooting medium, you’re well on your way to successfully propagating your favorite plants. That’s not to say that other mediums like perlite, vermiculite, compost, peat, or mixtures of these won’t serve you well. I’ve just found over the years that sand does a very good job, is very cheap, and beginner friendly!
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