How to Root Cuttings from your Favorite Plants

Taking cuttings is a good way to multiply the plants in your garden and share favorites with family and friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• perlite
• potting soil
• rooting hormone
• growing tray with a clear plastic lid

1. Take the cutting. Make sure it has a few stems and is a few inches long. Strip off the small stems to expose the nodes, where roots will start.
2. Dip the bottom 1-2 inches in rooting hormone powder. Insert in a mixture of half perlite, half potting soil.
3. Water and label the cuttings, and slip them into a tray with a clear lid. Keep it near a window or a grow light. Keep the soil moist. The warm humid environment encourages growth. Check for root growth every few days. When it starts rooting, remove the lid and continue growing as you would any seedling. Plant outdoors once roots are well-developed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a pencil to poke a hole to slip the stem into to keep from rubbing the powder off. Then pat the soil in around the stem.
• The cutting will show signs of new growth in a few weeks if it roots.