RICHMOND COUNTY — One of my favorite gardening activities is propagation, particularly, taking stem cuttings from herbaceous perennials. It is an almost entirely free and quick way to multiply the plants you already own. All you need is a plant you want to propagate, a sharp clean pair of scissors or a knife, fine potting soil, a small container with drainage, and a little bit of time.
Herbaceous stem cuttings are taken from the soft, new growth of non-woody plants and is a reliable way to propagate a variety of houseplants, herbs, and perennials.
To start growing your own plants from herbaceous stem cuttings, you first need to prepare your work area and materials. Start by setting up a clean, flat workspace and select your containers. Cell trays work great for rooting multiple cuttings, but a standard 3 to 4 inch pot is also a great option. To prevent disease you will need to clean and sanitize your containers. Wash them with hot soapy water to remove any dirt, then sanitize. A sanitizing solution can be made by mixing one part bleach with nine parts of water. Using gloves, dip your clean containers into the solution and allow them to dry completely. Your cutting tools also need to be cleaned and sanitized. Clean any debris from your pruners, scissors, or knives, and disinfect the blades with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Once everything is cleaned and sanitized, fill your containers with a fine potting medium. I typically use a seed-starting mix, but your choice may vary based on your preferences and what you are propagating. Ultimately, you want a light substrate that has an even balance of water retention with enough pore space to hold oxygen. Sphagnum moss, perlite, vermiculate, or any combination can be used to root cuttings. Before you start sticking your cuttings, make sure your media is saturated with water.
With your workspace prepped, select healthy, insect and disease free shoots that are tender and actively growing. Take a cutting that is about 3 to 6 inches in length, making your cut just below a leaf node. A node is where the leaf connects to the stem. Carefully remove the leaves from the lower two-thirds of the cutting to prevent them from rotting beneath the soil line. Some cuttings will have large leaves that the cutting will struggle to sustain. You can cut these large leaves in half to reduce the plant’s moisture loss through transpiration. Additionally, if you spot any developing flower buds, pinch them off so that the plant uses its energy for root development rather than blooming.
Immediately place the stripped portion of the stem into your prepared substrate and water gently to settle the soil around the stem, eliminating air pockets where roots won’t grow. For cuttings that are more difficult to root, you can use a rooting hormone before sticking the cutting.
When you are finished sticking your cuttings, place them in bright, indirect light. Covered porches or patios are excellent locations to shield plants from harsh sun and prevent damaging rains. At this point, all they need is time. Keep the substrate consistently moist and within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the plant, new roots will begin to form. Keep a close eye on them and continue to pinch off any flower buds that start to form before the root system is well developed.
Propagating your own plants is more than just a budget hack; it is deeply rewarding. Whether you are rooting rosemary, bee balm, salvia, dahlias, or pothos, these home-grown plants make meaningful gifts for friends and family. While spring and fall are the most common time gardeners propagate through stem cuttings, it is a method which can be done year round.
For more information about how to turn a single plant into many plants, contact the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office at 910-997-8255 or reach out to Kinsey Watkins directly at kinsey_watkins@ncsu.edu.
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