An Easy and Cost-Effective Way to Expand Your Garden
Cloning plants through cuttings is a fantastic way to grow your garden while saving money. Whether you’re propagating shrubs like arborvitae, juniper, and nine bark, or trying your hand at other species, this simple method works across many plant types. With a few essential tools and some patience, you'll be amazed at how easy and rewarding this process can be. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Select and Prepare Your Cuttings
The first step is to choose healthy, semi-hardwood branches from your parent plant. Cut 4–6-inch sections using sharp pruning shears to prevent crushing the stems. For clean and precise cuts, use a razor knife to create an angled edge, maximizing the surface area for rooting. If you need tools, check out our recommended pruning and razor set.
Pro Tip: Make sure your tools are sterile before use to reduce the risk of disease.
Step 2: Stimulate Root Growth
Strip off the leaves or needles from the bottom 1–2 inches of your cuttings. This exposed stem will be the rooting point. Dip the ends into a rooting hormone compound to encourage strong and quick root development. Hormones aren’t required, but they significantly improve success rates, especially for shrubs like nine bark and juniper.
Try This: Use this trusted rooting powder to give your cuttings the best possible start.
Step 3: Keep Cuttings Moist and Humid
To prevent your cuttings from drying out, wrap them in damp paper towels. Then, place these wrapped cuttings under a vapor barrier, such as an open-ended plastic bag, which traps moisture while allowing air circulation. Maintaining high humidity is crucial for rooting.
Here using wet paper towels in canning jars
Product Recommendation: Consider this propagation dome set for easy and effective humidity control.
Step 4: Transplant to Planting Flats
After about two months, check for root growth. Once roots are 1–2 inches long, move your cuttings into well-draining planting flats with high-quality soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, and protect the young plants with a humidity dome until they establish themselves.
Step 5: Transplanting and Growth Timeline
Once your young plants have grown strong roots, allow them to stay in planting flats for 6–12 months before moving them to their permanent home in the ground. Depending on the species, it can take 2–5 years for the plants to mature.
What Plants Can You Clone?
Cloning isn’t just for arborvitae, juniper, and nine bark! Here’s a list of plants you can propagate in different USDA Hardiness Zones:
Zone 2–4 (Cold Climates): Conifers: Spruce, pine, fir, arborvitae. Shrubs: Potentilla, dogwood, ninebark, elderberry. Perennials: Lupine, delphinium, hosta, peony.
Zone 5–6 (Temperate Climates): Evergreens: Juniper, yew, boxwood, holly. Flowering Shrubs: Forsythia, lilac, hydrangea, weigela. Perennials: Sedum, echinacea, bee balm, black-eyed Susan.
Zone 7–8 (Mild Winters): Woody Shrubs: Azalea, camellia, gardenia, crape myrtle. Climbers: Wisteria, clematis, trumpet vine. Herbaceous Plants: Salvia, lavender, rosemary, coreopsis.
Zone 9–10 (Tropical/Warmer Climates): Tropical Shrubs: Hibiscus, plumeria, bougainvillea, oleander. Evergreens: Olive, citrus, ficus, bay laurel. Flowering Plants: Geraniums, lantana, jasmine, bird of paradise.
With so many possibilities, the opportunities for creating a stunning garden are endless!
Why Clone? Cost vs. Benefit
Purchasing a three-year-old shrub from a garden center can cost $30–50 or more. By cloning, you can produce dozens of plants for a fraction of the price. For example, a $10 bottle of rooting hormone and a $15 propagation setup can help you grow an entire garden’s worth of plants. Over time, you’ll save hundreds of dollars while enjoying the satisfaction of nurturing new life.
Final Thoughts
Propagation may seem intimidating at first, but with these steps and the right tools, you’re on the path to success. Remember: Keep your cuttings consistently moist. Use sharp, clean tools to prevent damage or disease. Be patient—plants take time, but the reward is worth it! Think of each cutting as a little investment in your garden’s future. With care and attention, you’ll soon have a lush, thriving landscape that’s entirely your creation.