Guide to Growing Flowers from Cuttings

Growing flowers from cuttings is a cost-effective and rewarding way to propagate your favorite plants. Many flowering plants root easily from stem cuttings, allowing you to multiply your garden without buying new plants. Here’s a florist guide to some of the best flowers you can grow from cuttings and how to do it successfully.

Types of Cuttings

• Softwood Cuttings: Taken from fresh, green growth in spring or early summer.

• Semi-Hardwood Cuttings: Collected from partially mature stems in late summer.

• Hardwood Cuttings: Taken from mature, woody stems in fall or winter.

Best Flowers to Grow from Cuttings

1. Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring to early summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Cut a 4–6 inch stem just below a leaf node.

  2. Remove lower leaves and let the cutting dry for a few hours.

  3. Plant in moist soil or water until roots develop.

2. Roses (Rosa spp.)

• Type: Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings

• Best Time: Late summer to winter

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 6–8 inch cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem.

  2. Remove leaves, leaving only the top two.

  3. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.

  4. Cover with a plastic bag to retain humidity.

3. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Type: Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring or late summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 3–4 inch cutting just below a leaf node.

  2. Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in sandy soil and keep warm.

4. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Late spring to early summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Cut a 4–6 inch stem just below a node.

  2. Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in moist potting mix and cover with a plastic bag.

5. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring to early summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 3–5 inch cutting from a non-flowering stem.

  2. Remove lower leaves and plant in moist soil.

  3. Keep in a warm, humid environment.

6. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring to early summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 4–6 inch cutting below a leaf node.

  2. Remove lower leaves and plant in moist soil.

  3. Keep in indirect light and mist regularly.

7. Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a cutting from new shoots near the tuber.

  2. Remove the bottom leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in a well-draining mix and keep warm.

8. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

• Type: Semi-hardwood cuttings

• Best Time: Late spring to summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 6–8 inch cutting from a healthy stem.

  2. Remove leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in a well-draining potting mix and keep warm.

9. Verbena (Verbena spp.)

• Type: Softwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring to early summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 3–4 inch cutting from a healthy plant.

  2. Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in moist soil and keep in a warm place.

10. Lantana (Lantana camara)

• Type: Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

• Best Time: Spring to summer

• How to Propagate:

  1. Take a 4–6 inch cutting from a healthy stem.

  2. Remove leaves and dip in rooting hormone.

  3. Plant in well-draining soil and mist regularly.

General Steps for Growing Flowers from Cuttings

1. Choose a Healthy Stem: Select a stem that is not flowering and cut just below a node.

2. Remove Excess Leaves: Leave only a few leaves at the top to reduce moisture loss.

3. Use Rooting Hormone (Optional): Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage faster root development.

4. Plant in the Right Medium: Use a well-draining potting mix or start in water for plants like geraniums and fuchsia.

5. Provide the Right Conditions: Keep the cuttings in a warm, humid environment with indirect light.

6. Water & Mist Regularly: Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and mist the cuttings to maintain humidity.

7. Transplant When Ready: Once roots develop (2–6 weeks), transplant into a larger pot or garden bed.

Final Tips

• Patience is Key! Some cuttings root quickly, while others take longer.

• Avoid Overwatering to prevent rot.

• Use a Plastic Dome or Bag to maintain humidity if needed.

• Hardening Off: Before moving rooted cuttings outdoors, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions.

With these techniques, you can easily grow a variety of beautiful flowers from cuttings and expand your garden for free!