The easiest way to propagate plants is by stem cuttings in water. It is highly effective, requires no special tools, and allows you to watch the roots grow in real-time.
Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the easiest and most used methods of propagation. Many plants will root from just a section of a plant. Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix.
Hardwood cuttings are taken from mid-autumn until late winter from vigorous healthy shoots of the current year's growth - this will be woody but pliable. Use for deciduous climbers, shrubs, trees (including fruit) and some evergreens such as hollies.
It is illegal to propagate some plants primarily to protect intellectual property (such as plant patents or trademarks), to prevent the spread of agricultural diseases, or to control invasive species.
Yes, you can absolutely grow ficus from cuttings, and they root quite easily. The process only takes a few weeks and is an excellent way to multiply varieties like the Fiddle-leaf Fig, Rubber Tree, or Weeping Fig.
8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Propagating Plants from Cuttings
The Ficus cutting
Now it's time to make the choice whether to let your cutting develop on water or in soil. If you let the cutting grow on water, you will be a little more busy but rooting on water also goes a lot faster than in soil!
Bill Gates argued against relying on planting trees as a primary solution to climate change, calling the idea "complete nonsense". He believes tree planting is insufficient, unproven at scale, and distraction from necessary technological solutions like direct air capture, arguing that emissions reduction requires fundamental industrial changes rather than relying on reforestation.
🌱 On top of fighting bacteria and fungus around the clock, diluting your propagation water with hydrogen peroxide also works to release oxygen, helping roots grow stronger. *Adjust the amount added depending on the size of your propagation.
Plants to propagate this fall
Hotter summers, extended droughts, and dry winds are becoming more common, and hydrangeas are paying the price. Gardeners from coast to coast report the same issues: leaves crisping and curling in early summer, stems wilting despite regular watering, and blossoms fading far too quickly.
STEM CUTTINGS:
This technique is probably the most versatile of all methods used for vegetative propagation. It can be used for both herbaceous and woody material. Herbaceous stem cuttings can be made from houseplants, annual flowers and bedding plants, ground covers, and some perennials.
Several popular houseplants, vines, and fast-sprouting vegetables can show significant growth or sprout within just a single week.
Greens, including collards, kale, mustard and turnip, all qualify for the rapid harvest category. While they are fairly flexible for growing temperatures, best flavor comes with cool weather. They can be harvested as baby greens to use in salads, or many varieties will produce full sized leaves in under 60 days.
Willow Water Tea
If you want to use rooting hormone on edible or organic plants, DIY options are usually best—one of the most effective is willow water. Willow is also a natural source of salicylic acid, which keeps fungi and bacteria from growing on cuttings.
Hydrogen peroxide is often used on its own for spot treatments, but pairing it with dish soap expands its usefulness by allowing it to tackle oily residue at the same time. That balance is what makes the mixture feel more powerful than many single-purpose cleaners.
For treating root rot or pests, soak plant roots in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution diluted with water (typically 1 part peroxide to 4 parts water) for 15 to 30 minutes. For severe cases, a one-time, short, higher-concentration treatment might be used, but generally, 15-30 minutes is safe, followed by a rinse and repotting in fresh soil.
A 9,000-year-old tree is typically a clonal tree, where a single ancient root system continuously sprouts new trunks over millennia.
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Pairing your propagations with faster rooting plants such as spider plants, pothos, swedish ivy, tradescantia, or if you can find a willow branch, add that to the water vessel too! It can really help speed up root development! More rooting hormones in the water = faster root growth.
Semi ripe cuttings are taken from summer to mid-autumn (Jul-Sep) from healthy stems grown this season. The base of the cutting is firm, while the tip is still soft. Use for climbers, herbs, evergreen shrubs, conifers and hedging plants.
Here are 12 common water propagation mistakes you may be making and how to correct them.