How to Start a New Hydrangea Plant From a Cutting

Gardeners can start a new hydrangea plant from a hydrangea cutting.

Although hydrangeas can grow from seeds, many gardeners choose to start a new hydrangea plant from a cutting of an existing plant. Propagation from a cutting allows the gardener to grow a new plant that is identical to the starter plant. According to North Dakota State University, the main drawback to propagation from cuttings is that the gardener can only take a few cuttings at a time, unless he owns a large amount of hydrangea plants already.

Things You'll Need

• Mature hydrangea plant
• Gardening shears
• Pot filled with well-draining potting material
• Water
• 4 small wooden stakes
• Plastic wrap
• Spray bottle of water

Instructions

1. Cut off the end of a hydrangea stem from a mature plant. North Dakota State University recommends cutting off the end of a stem with new growth from that year. North Carolina State University suggests making this type of softwood cutting during May, June or July, just after the plant has grown new softwood.

2. Cut the leaves off the lower part of the cutting. Leave only the top pair of leaves or top two pairs of leaves if the very top pair is extremely small.

3. Cut large top leaves in half to reduce the amount of water the cutting needs.

4. Place the end of the hydrangea stem in the soil. North Dakota State University suggests placing the stem about 2 inches deep in soil and making sure that all the leaves stay above the surface of the soil.

5. Water the soil.

6. Build a clear plastic cover over the pot by sticking four small wooden stakes around the edges of the pot, and covering the stakes and plant with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap helps keep the plant moist and warm, and the stakes help keep the plastic wrap off the seedling. People with greenhouses can place the cutting in a greenhouse instead of building the plastic wrap cover.

7. Put the hydrangea in an area with bright light but no direct sunlight. The cutting needs light to grow, but direct sunlight can burn it in its plastic enclosure.

8. Mist the cutting's soil with water whenever the soil seems dry. After about four weeks of proper care, the cutting will have large enough roots to survive without the plastic covering. You can continue growing the plant in the pot for a longer time or transplant it outside.

References

• Central Savannah River Area Hydrangea Society: Hydrangea Propagation
• North Dakota State University: Hydrangea Propagation
• North Carolina State University: Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings: Instructions for the Home Gardener