Hey there, fellow plant lovers! Ready for some garden magic? Let’s dive into my 12 absolute FAVE perennials that are just begging to be propagated from cuttings in May!
A Little Location Love (Zones, That Is!)
Before we get our hands dirty, let’s chat zones! I’m hanging out in USDA hardiness zone 8b, but my growing season is like a speedy little race compared to some other 8b spots. Sunny Texas 8b is a whole different ballgame than my neck of the woods!
So, while I’m snipping away in May, you might be doing your thing at a different time, depending on when your plants wake up from their winter naps. Let your own amazing garden be your guide, not just the calendar.
Mix It Up: Potting Soil Prep
For propagation perfection, I whip up a potting mix with my own homemade compost! I give it a good sift to get rid of any big pieces, then fluff it up with perlite or horticultural sand – think light and airy! (You can totally cheat and use a good quality potting soil mixed with sand or perlite).
Sometimes, for super-easy plants like roses, I even root cuttings right in sand – talk about simple! It’s pristine and drains like a dream.
Grab some 4-inch recycled nursery pots (or smaller ones, whatever you’ve got!). Before planting, I give the mix a good soak, then use a pencil or chopstick to make little homes for the cuttings. (I show you how to do this in the video I include at the end!)
Propagating Like a Pro: My top tips!
- Sharp tools are your best friends so use them!
- Trim those lower leaves!
- Moist soil is happy soil so moisten it first!
- Rooting hormone? (Optional, but read on to see why I love it!)
Rooting Hormone: Yay or Nay? I Say YAY and here’s why!
Okay, using rooting hormone is totally your call! You can propagate without it, but I almost always use it, and here’s why I think you should too!
Rooting hormone gives your cuttings a HUGE boost, helping them sprout roots faster and stronger! It encourages those plant cells at the cut end to get busy making roots!
Think of it as a safety net that reduces transplant shock and environmental stress, so those little cuttings are less likely to rot or dry out. So, whether you’re working with those soft, green stems or slightly tougher cuttings, rooting hormone is that special ingredient, especially for those plants that are a bit stubborn.
psst Remember to watch the video because I get into all the step-by-step for each plant so you can have the best start possible!
Check out my video at the end of this article!
The Star Plants!
Golden Sage:
Tip cuttings all the way! Plant them around the pot’s edge – they seem to love the extra warmth and airflow there! I explain why I like to do this in the video I linked!
Clematis:
These guys are unique, they root not at the nodes, but in between them. Snip just above a leaf node and gently slice the base of the stem before giving it a rooting hormone dip.
Snapdragons:
Tip cuttings are gold when it comes to Snapdragons. They root with ease, and you can multiply your favorite blooms! I sprout them from seed first so I can take cuttings.
Golden or Black Lace Elderberry:
So bendy and pliable in spring! Take cuttings from the soft stems. (I’ve even had luck with more mature stems before!) Just make sure a couple of nodes are nestled below the soil. I don’t always use rooting hormone, but it does help!
Phlox (Garden, not the Creeping Variety!):
Trim to a leaf node, strip the leaves, and plant away! More cuttings mean better success, so get snip-happy!
Dahlia:
Usually overwintered as tubers, but you can totally take stem cuttings. Cut just above a node and trim any excess leaves to save moisture.
Want to take Basal cuttings? Check this out to follow along!
Veronica:
Ideally, you want stems without any flowers or buds, but hey, sometimes you’ve gotta work with what you’ve got! If there are buds, pinch them off so the plant can focus on those roots. Plant with one or two leaf nodes under the soil for the best start!
Nepeta (Catmint):
Even if it’s already budding, try for stems without and take them from further down. Cuttings are a great way to get more of this plant!
I also like to divide my Nepeta in the fall and then take cuttings in the spring!
Shasta Daisy:
Pick stems that aren’t hollow for the easiest success, and if the cutting is tall, you’ll need a larger cover or a big Ziploc bag to keep the moisture in.
I also root divide my shastas in the spring or fall to make more or spread around in the garden. You can also easily start these from seed!
Penstemon:
Skip the woody stuff and snippy flexible green growth. The blue-flowering native roots well when you use tip cuttings.
Golden Feverfew:
So prized for its bright colored leaves. Pick stems without hollows, trim side leaves, and use rooting hormone to get the best roots!
Mystic Spires Salvia:
One of my all-time favorites! It roots like a charm from tip cuttings, especially when the soil is nice and warm after a little late spring sunshine.
Humidity Domes & After Care
You definitely don’t require some super fancy gear for this process. I’ve used old tubberware, Ziploc bags with chopsticks, or the seed starting domes you can grab at the store. Those cuttings don’t have roots yet, so you gotta hold the humid air inside to avoid them drying out!
I like to sit them in the greenhouse before it is summer time. I find that the moisture of all the different plants is enough to keep them moist without drying out.
Alright we’re at the end!
Once those cuttings have found their roots, you can spread all these new plants around your yard… or share them with friends. I encourage you to experiment propagating perennials this Spring. Let me know how it all goes!
Happy gardening!