How To Propagate Shrubs

Want more beautiful shrubs in your garden without a trip to the nursery? Learning how to propagate shrubs is a rewarding and cost-effective way to expand your landscape. This simple step-by-step guide will walk you through the easiest methods to create new plants from your existing favorites.

Propagation might sound technical, but it’s really just helping a piece of a plant grow its own roots. You can multiply hedges, flowering shrubs, and even fruit bushes. It’s a satisfying project that saves you money and let’s you share plants with friends.

Before you start, it’s helpful to know the two main ways to propagate shrubs: softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings are taken from new, flexible growth in late spring or early summer. Hardwood cuttings are taken from mature, dormant wood in late fall or winter. We’ll cover both.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Gathering your supplies first makes the process smooth. You likely have many items already.

Sharp, clean pruning shears or a knife.
Small pots or containers (4-inch pots work well).
Well-draining potting mix or a mix of perlite and peat.
Rooting hormone (powder or gel form). This is optional but highly recommended.
Clear plastic bags or plastic domes for humidity.
Pencil or dibber for making holes in the soil.
Labels and a marker.

Method 1: Softwood Cuttings (Spring/Summer)

This is a great method for many deciduous shrubs like hydrangeas, roses, and butterfly bushes. The goal is to take cuttings from the current season’s growth before it becomes to tough.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Choose Your Cutting: In the morning, look for a healthy stem that has just finished flowering or is still growing. It should snap when bent, not just fold. A length of 4-6 inches is perfect.
Make the Cut: Using your clean shears, cut just below a leaf node (the bump where leaves emerge). Make the cut at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area for rooting.
Prepare the Cutting: Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. If the remaining leaves are large, cut them in half to reduce water loss. Dip the bottom inch of the stem into water, then into rooting hormone powder, tapping off the excess.
Plant the Cutting: Use your pencil to make a hole in the pre-moistened potting mix. Insert the cutting about 2 inches deep, ensuring at least one node is buried. Gently firm the soil around it.
Create Humidity: Place the pot inside a clear plastic bag or under a dome. This creates a mini-greenhouse. Put it in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. No direct sun, which will cook the cutting.
Care and Monitoring: Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. Open the bag for an hour every few days to prevent mold. Roots typically form in 4 to 8 weeks. You can check for resistance by giving a very gentle tug.

Method 2: Hardwood Cuttings (Fall/Winter)

This method is slower but very simple and requires less attention. It works well for shrubs like forsythia, dogwood, willow, and currants. You take cuttings when the plant is dormant.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Choose Your Cutting: After leaves have fallen, select pencil-thick, mature stems from the current year’s growth. Cuttings should be about 8-12 inches long.
Make the Cuts: Cut straight across the top, just above a bud. Cut at an angle at the bottom, just below a bud. This helps you remember which end is down.
Bundle and Store (Optional): You can dip the bases in rooting hormone, then bundle cuttings together. Bury them horizontally in a box of moist sand or wood shavings in a cool place for the winter. This process, called callusing, encourages root formation.
Plant in Spring: In early spring, plant the cuttings outdoors in a prepared nursery bed. Bury them so only the top 2-3 buds are showing above the soil. Keep the area weed-free and watered.
Wait for Growth: It may take a full growing season for significant root development. By the following fall, you should have sturdy new shrubs ready to transplant.

Aftercare: Potting Up and Growing On

Once your cuttings have a good root system, they need to transition to stronger plants. This stage is crucial for their success.

Gently pot up the rooted cutting into a slightly larger container with regular potting soil.
Keep it in a sheltered, partly shaded spot for a few weeks to aclimatize.
Water regularly and apply a weak, balanced liquid fertilizer every month during the growing season.
Let the plant grow strong for at least one full season before planting it in its permanent spot in your garden.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with care, sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Cutting Wilts or Turns Black: Often caused by rot from too much moisture or poor air circulation. Ensure your soil drains well and ventilate your humidity cover regularly.
No Roots After Several Weeks: Be patient. Some shrubs root slower than others. Ensure the cutting wasn’t from to old of a stem. Using rooting hormone can really speed things up.
Mold on Soil or Leaves: This is a sign of excessive humidity. Remove any affected material, increase air flow, and let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings.

Best Shrubs for Beginner Propagation

Start with these easy-to-root varieties to build your confidence.

Willow (roots incredibly easily in just water!)
Forsythia
Hydrangea (especially smooth and panicle types)
Boxwood
Fig
Currant
Privet

FAQ

Can you propagate any shrub from cuttings?
Most shrubs can be propagated from cuttings, but some are much easier than others. Woody plants like conifers can be more challenging for beginners.

What is the difference between softwood and hardwood propagation?
Softwood cuttings use new, soft growth and root quickly but need more careful humidity control. Hardwood cuttings use dormant, mature wood and are slower but often simpler.

Do you really need rooting hormone?
It’s not always required, but it significantly increases your success rate by stimulating root growth and protecting against disease. It’s a worthwhile investment.

How long does it take for shrub cuttings to root?
Softwood cuttings can root in as little as 4 weeks. Hardwood cuttings may take several months, as they often root after a period of winter dormancy.

Can I propagate shrubs in water?
Some shrubs, like willow and hydrangea, will root in water. However, water roots are fragile and the transition to soil can be tricky. Starting in soil is often more reliable for long-term health.

With these methods, you can fill your garden with your favorite shrubs. Remember, timing and patience are your best tools. Don’t be discouraged if a few cuttings fail; even expert gardeners lose some. Just try again, and soon you’ll have plenty of new plants to enjoy.