Get new plants free of charge with Monty Don’s expert tips for taking cuttings from your favorite plants
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Do you love your garden plants? Then you’ll want to hear what Monty Don has to say about taking cuttings. It means new plants without the expense of buying them and its a great habit to get into. You can also be sure of what you’re getting because plants grown from cuttings are the same as the original plant.
Monty Don, a gardener, broadcaster, and author, says, “Cuttings are basically clones, so if you have a favorite rose, a really tasty gooseberry, or a really good upright rosemary bush, all of these qualities will stay with the new plants grown from cuttings.” ’.
This article tells you how to take softwood, semi-ripe, and hardwood cuttings from plants. It also has tips from our favorite gardening expert, Monty Don, on how to take cuttings at the end of summer.
Hydrangeas are prized garden shrubs that produce gorgeous clustered blooms in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white Their beautiful flowers make them a favorite to incorporate in landscaping and cut flower arrangements. The good news is hydrangeas are quite easy to propagate from cuttings. Follow this guide to taking hydrangea cuttings the Monty Don way for an endless supply of these fabulous flowering shrubs.
Why Take Hydrangea Cuttings
Taking cuttings from parent hydrangea plants allows you to create genetically identical new shrubs This ensures the offspring will have all the same lovely characteristics as the parent
Benefits of propagating from cuttings include:
- Get more plants for free
- Duplicate exceptional flower colors and forms
- Control the size and shape through pruning
- Share prized plants with friends and family
- Fill your garden quickly compared to growing from seed
When to Take Hydrangea Cuttings
For best results, take hydrangea cuttings in late summer to early fall when plants are going dormant. August and September are ideal times.
Choose stems from the current season’s growth that are healthy, straight, and display prominent leaf nodes where roots will emerge. Hardened wood will root better than soft, green stems.
Avoid taking cuttings after a frost or when plants are fully dormant in winter. This can disrupt the rooting process.
How to Take Hydrangea Cuttings – Step by Step
Follow these simple steps to propagate hydrangeas through stem cuttings:
1. Select a Stem
Look for a healthy, straight stem around 6 inches long. Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to detach the stem just below a leaf node.
Leave a few leaves at the top and strip off any remaining leaves and flowers down the length of the stem.
2. Dip in Rooting Hormone
Optional but recommended – Dip the stripped end of the cutting in a rooting hormone powder. This helps stimulate faster root growth. Tap off any excess powder.
3. Plant the Cutting
Plant your cutting in a 3-4 inch pot filled with well-draining potting soil. Bury about 2/3 of the stem in the soil, leaving a few leaves exposed.
Firm the soil gently and water well to settle. Place in a bright spot out of direct sun.
4. Maintain Humidity
Hydrangeas root best in high humidity. Cover pots with plastic bags or place inside a greenhouse or cold frame to boost moisture levels.
Water sparingly, keeping the soil barely moist but not soggy. Remove bags once leaf buds start opening.
5. Watch for Growth
Rooting takes 1-2 months. Check for new leaves emerging as a sign of successful rooting before transplanting into the garden.
Caring for Young Hydrangea Cuttings
-
Keep pots out of direct sun and sheltered from harsh elements while cuttings establish.
-
Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Proper moisture is vital for root development.
-
Pot up cuttings into larger containers as they grow. Use a fertile, well-draining soil mix.
-
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer once new leaves emerge.
-
Harden off cuttings before planting in the garden. Slowly expose to longer periods outdoors.
-
Transplant into the garden in spring after the last frost. Choose a site with partial shade and fertile soil.
-
Prune lightly to shape plants. Remove any dead or damaged growth.
-
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
-
Water during dry periods for the first year until establishd.
Tips for Taking the Best Hydrangea Cuttings
-
Take cuttings first thing in the morning when plants are fully hydrated.
-
Use clean, sharp tools to prevent disease transfer. Sterilize between cuts with diluted bleach or alcohol.
-
Select stems with the ripest wood possible for best rooting potential.
-
Take multiple cuttings from different parts of the plant to ensure some success.
-
Dip cut ends in cinnamon or charcoal powder to deter rot fungi.
-
Change the water in propagation stations frequently to prevent bacteria.
-
Place pots on a heat mat or warm surface to encourage faster rooting.
-
Provide bright, indirect light from a south or west window. Low light will inhibit growth.
-
Resist overwatering. Allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings.
-
Transplant into the garden in spring after the last expected frost.
-
Pinch out the tips of new shoots to promote bushy, compact growth.
Ideal Hydrangeas for Cuttings
Some hydrangea species root easier from cuttings than others. The best choices include:
-
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) – Most popular garden type.
-
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia)- Striking lobed foliage turns red in fall.
-
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens)- Hardier with white blooms.
-
Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) – Grows on walls.
-
PeeGee hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) – Huge conical blooms.
Avoid trying to root especially tender hydrangea species like Hydrangea serrata as they have a lower success rate. Stick to hardy garden types for the best results with cuttings.
Enjoy an Endless Supply of Hydrangeas
Follow these tips for taking cuttings like Monty Don and you’ll be on your way to an unlimited supply of beautiful hydrangeas. Getting that first batch to root successfully will give you the confidence to create more plants from cuttings year after year.
The ability to replicate prized plant specimens through cuttings is an invaluable skill for any gardener. Enjoy sharing the gift of gorgeous hydrangeas with all your gardening friends and family.
Choose the right shoots
What should you look for in a plant cutting? Monty Don says that when you take a cutting, you should choose growth that is healthy, strong, and straight, and you should avoid material that has flowers or flower buds on it.
Know that some plants, like rosemary, can grow roots from side shoots that have been peeled off the main stem. But if there is a lot of plant material to choose from, Monty likes to pick shoots that still have their growing tip. ( credit: Thomas Woollard/EyeEm).
Monty Don’s expert tips for taking cuttings
Taking cuttings is an easy task. On his website, Monty Don shares his tips on taking semi-ripe cuttings – in other words those taken from the current season’s wood. These shoots are hard at the base but they have a soft, pliable tip.
If you’ve taken softwood cuttings before, Monty warns you that semi-ripe cuttings take longer to grow new roots than softwood cuttings. However, on the upside, Monty Don says they are slower to die back, giving you more time. ( credit: Dorling Kindersley ltd / Alamy Stock Photo).
Monty Don Demonstrates How to do Hardwood Cuttings with Roses in the Autumn…
FAQ
What month do you take hydrangea cuttings?
Do hydrangea cuttings root in water?
What is the best rooting hormone for hydrangea cuttings?
How do you propagate hydrangeas?
Cut each hydrangea leaf in half with a knife. This reduces water loss and the stress endured by the rooting process. These leaves will soon be replaced when the cutting has rooted. Insert the cuttings individually into small pots filled with gritty propagation compost. Firm them well and soak with water straight away.
Are hydrangeas Dead easy to propagate from semi-ripe cuttings?
Hydrangeas and salvias are dead easy to propagate from semi-ripe cuttings. Monty Don shows you how. How to propagate hydrangeas and salvias from cuttings.
Can hydrangeas be cut down?
As you do this step be careful not to cut the stem while removing the leaves. This leaves what is effectively an open wound on the stem which can result in diseases or stunted growth. If the leaves on your hydrangea are particularly large you can cut them down to half their size. Once you have the cuttings it is time to propagate.
When should you take Hydrangea cuttings?
Michael said: “In four to six weeks you will see some new leaves starting to form which means this plant has taken root and you have an exact replica of the plant you took the cutting from.” Now is the ‘perfect time’ to take hydrangea cuttings, which is a quick and easy gardening job that will multiply the amount of flowers in your garden.
How do you take Hydrangea cuttings?
To take hydrangea cuttings, use secateurs to collect material from hydrangea stems and a knife to trim each cutting. Due to its woody nature, it’s not possible to propagate a hydrangea cutting in water, so you’ll need to insert them into a pot of gritty compost, instead.
Can you grow hydrangeas from cuttings?
Hydrangeas root well from from cuttings, giving you a new batch of young hydrangea plants, for free. You can propagate cuttings from all types of hydrangea, including mophead and lacecap, Hydrangea paniculata, and climbing hydrangeas. The best time to take hydrangea cuttings is in late-summer.