Let’s Talk About Plant Propagation!

[TEG Project Manager]

Okay, let’s be honest. “Plant propagation” sounds like something fancy you’d learn in a science lab, right? But really, it just means making new plants from the ones you already have. Think of it like giving your plants a chance to “have babies” — but without all the drama.

If you’ve ever cut off a piece of your favorite plant and stuck it in water until roots appeared, congratulations! You’ve already done propagation. Pretty cool, huh?

There are a few ways to do it, and each one feels a bit like magic:

Cuttings – This is the most popular and easiest way. You snip a healthy stem from your plant, pop it in some water or soil, and watch it grow roots. It’s like giving your plant a second life! Mint, pothos, rosemary, and even roses love this method.

Runners or Stolons – Some plants, like strawberries or spider plants, practically propagate themselves. They send out little “runners” that grow baby plants on the ends. All you have to do is cut them off and plant them elsewhere. It’s like your garden is cloning itself without asking.

Seeds – The classic way, of course. But starting from seed takes patience. Some plants grow fast, while others act like moody teenagers — taking forever to get moving. Still, there’s something so satisfying about seeing that tiny sprout peek through the soil.

Division – This one’s perfect for plants that grow in clumps, like aloe, lavender, or hostas. You gently separate the roots into smaller sections and replant them. It’s a bit like splitting a big family into smaller households so everyone has more space.

Layering – Ever seen a low branch touch the ground and start growing roots right there? That’s layering. You can do it on purpose by bending a stem to the soil and covering part of it. Once it roots, snip it off, and boom — you’ve got a brand-new plant.

Now, why do gardeners love propagation so much? Simple: it saves money, it’s fun, and it feels a little like playing nature’s matchmaker. You can grow a whole garden from just a few plants, share cuttings with friends, or keep backups of your favorites in case one doesn’t make it through the winter.

It’s also a great way to learn what plants like and how they grow. You’ll start to notice things like how fast roots form, which cuttings thrive, and what kind of environment helps them flourish. It’s hands-on learning — and it’s way more exciting than reading about it in a textbook.

So let’s chat!

Have you ever tried propagating your plants before? What worked best for you — water, soil, or the “set it and forget it” runner method?

Or if you’ve never tried it, what plant would you love to clone first?

Let’s swap stories, share tips, and maybe even brag a little about our plant “babies”!

 

[flowerbug]

division doesn't have to be gentle or careful, but at first you might do that to get an idea of what you can get away with in future "operations".

pretty much you just have to know how large of chunks you need to slice to get the chunks to take and then how to treat those chunks so they will take.

for some plants the growing points are obvious and other plants you can't easily see so you just make the chunks big enough and hope they do grow. some chunks might need some curing time to get a bit of callous on the cut edges to prevent spoilage.

it is what learning and observation is about, but also you can look things up and read or watch videos.

as a kid plant propagation was how i got most of my house plants. i was often talking to neighbors and finding out what plants they were growing and then they would often have extra cuttings they'd give me in exchange. it never hurt that i often had extra roses to give away.