How to Root Hydrangea Plants

Hydrangeas have been popular with western gardeners since the turn of the century when they took Victorian England by storm. These shrubs are characterized by woody stems with small blossoms packed tightly in round balls. Soil acidity determines the color of the flowers which can be many shades of white, blue, purple, or pink. Hydrangeas do pose a challenge for ambitious gardeners, however, because they rarely produce seeds. This makes it difficult to grow more of these showy shrubs. The solution lies in propagating hydrangeas from cuttings, or rooting a hydrangea.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hydrangea plant
• Sharp gardening or pruning shears
• Rooting hormone (optional)
• Potting soil
• Perlite or vermiculite
• Small pot
• Large clear plastic bag

1. Select a stem for cutting. On a healthy hydrangea plant, find a new-growth stem that is at least 6 inches long and does not have a flower. New growth is lighter green and flexible.

2. Cut a stem to root. Using a sharp pair of shears, cut 4 inches off the stem you chose in Step 1 directly under a leaf node. A leaf node is where two leaves join the stem. There should be at least two more leaves above the node on the cutting.

3. Remove excess leaves. Strip all but the top two leaves from the cutting you made. Cut the top half of the remaining leaves off. Cut perpendicular to the veins in the leaves.

4. Apply rooting hormone. Dip the bottom 2 inches of the cutting into rooting hormone, also called IBA, intended for semi-softwood cuttings. The cutting will root without this but it will take longer.

5. Plant the cutting. Put the cutting halfway into a pot filled with an even mix of potting soil for moisture retention and nutrients, and perlite or vermiculite for proper drainage.

6. Water thoroughly. The soil should be damp throughout but not soggy. Check the soil regularly to make sure it does not dry out.

7. Cover the pot. Place a clear plastic bag over the top of the pot. Do not let the plastic touch the leaves, you may need to fashion stakes to keep this from happening.

8. Place in a safe location. Cuttings should receive as much light as possible while avoiding direct sunlight or full shade. They should also be protected from wind (or air vents indoors) and extreme temperature changes.

References

• Hydrangea Propagation
• Various Methods for Rooting Hydrangeas
• How to Propagate Hydrangeas From Cuttings