Grow new plants from cuttings with these easy, fun (and practically free) steps.
Just clip a length of stem and watch the roots grow.
Growing from stem cuttings is easy if you know the right steps to take care of cuttings.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Potting soil and regular potting mix hold too much moisture.
Select healthy, nonfloweringstems from the mother plant for cuttings.
Cut off the bottom leaves of the shoot and snip off any flowers or buds.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This prompts the plant to use its energy for rooting rather than growing leaves or flowers.
Dip Into Rooting Hormone
Encourage root growth by dipping the cut end into powdered rooting hormone.
Rooting hormones can be found at most gardening stores, or can be ordered online.
Cover any cut parts with the powder.
We recommend poking a hole 1 to 2 inches deep to keep the stem cutting sturdy.
Creating a hole for the stem cutting prevents the powdered hormone on the end from being disturbed during planting.
Place Stem Cutting
Slide the cutting into the planting hole without knocking off the rooting powder.
If the hole is too narrow, use the chopstick or pencil to widen the hole.
Gently press the medium against the stem to keep it sturdy and upright in the pot.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
If the pot is small enough, a zip-top plastic bag will work just as well.
Set cuttings in bright, indirect light.
Be gentle with the roots, so as to not tear or break them.
