12 Beginner-Friendly Plants and Herbs to Propagate from Cuttings

Propagating plants and herbs from cuttings is a simple and cost-effective way to grow your garden. Many common plants root quickly, allowing you to create new plants from existing ones without needing seeds. This method saves time and money while giving you healthy, thriving greenery to enjoy indoors or outdoors. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, propagation from cuttings can help you expand your collection with ease.

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Basil

Basil is a popular herb that grows quickly and roots easily from cuttings. Because it has soft stems, you can cut a healthy section just below a leaf node and place it in water or moist soil. This encourages roots to form within a week or two. Propagating basil from cuttings allows gardeners to multiply their supply without buying new plants.

This method is convenient for keeping fresh basil on hand for cooking. Once the roots are a few inches long, transplant the cutting into soil. Regular pinching back of basil also encourages bushier growth, so propagation from cuttings is a natural extension of caring for the plant.

Mint

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to propagate from cuttings because it grows vigorously and roots readily. Taking cuttings from a healthy mint plant can quickly produce new plants in water or directly in soil. Mint’s ability to root fast helps spread it easily, which is why it often grows wild.

Cuttings taken from the stem tips tend to root best. Because mint can become invasive, propagating it in containers helps keep growth controlled. This propagation technique is perfect for sharing mint with friends or refreshing an aging plant.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a woody herb that roots well from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Rosemary’s tough stems develop roots more slowly than softer herbs, but cuttings still offer a simple way to create new plants. This is useful since rosemary can be expensive to buy and takes time to grow from seed.

Cuttings taken about four to six inches long should be stripped of lower leaves before planting in well-draining soil or rooting medium. Keeping the soil moist and the cuttings in indirect light will encourage rooting within a few weeks. Propagation allows gardeners to expand their rosemary plants or replace older ones.

Lavender

Lavender is another woody herb that roots best from soft or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Like rosemary, it can be slow to grow from seed, so cuttings are a reliable way to produce new plants. The process preserves the characteristics of the parent plant, which is important for lavender varieties prized for scent or flower color.

Cuttings should be about three to four inches long, with the bottom leaves removed. Using a well-draining mix and maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging helps the roots develop. Propagating lavender from cuttings can save money and produce plants ready for garden beds or containers.

Pothos

Pothos is a common houseplant known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. It is very easy to propagate by cuttings because its stems root readily in water or soil. Even a small cutting with a node will form roots quickly, making it a favorite for beginner gardeners.

This method allows you to expand your indoor collection or share plants with friends. Pothos cuttings require bright, indirect light and should be kept moist. Once roots are about two inches long, transplanting into potting mix will support healthy growth.

Coleus

Coleus is known for its vibrant foliage and is one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings. Soft stems root quickly when placed in water or moist soil. This makes it possible to produce multiple new plants from a single parent.

Cuttings taken from healthy shoots root in as little as a week, making propagation a fast and fun way to multiply coleus plants. It is a great option for gardeners who want to fill garden beds or containers with colorful leaves without buying new plants.

Spider Plant

Spider plants reproduce naturally by producing baby plantlets called “pups.” These pups can be easily propagated by cutting them from the mother plant once they develop roots. This simple method lets you create new spider plants without seeds or complicated steps.

Plantlets can be rooted in water or soil and will grow quickly into full-sized plants. Propagating spider plants from pups allows for easy sharing or replacing older plants, making them an excellent choice for homes and offices.

Geranium

Geraniums are popular flowering plants that root well from cuttings. Semi-hardwood stems taken in spring or early summer will form roots if placed in soil or water. This is a straightforward way to multiply geraniums without relying on seed germination.

Cuttings should be about four inches long, with leaves trimmed from the lower half. Keeping the cuttings in a warm, humid environment helps speed rooting. This technique supports gardeners who want more geraniums for hanging baskets or flower beds.

Philodendron

Philodendrons are versatile houseplants that root quickly from stem cuttings. Like pothos, they develop roots easily in water or moist soil. Cuttings should include at least one node for the roots to form.

This propagation method lets plant lovers multiply their philodendron collection or refresh older plants. Providing bright, indirect light and maintaining moisture supports fast root growth, making it ideal for indoor gardening.

Jade Plant

Jade plants are succulents that propagate well from leaf or stem cuttings. Cuttings need to dry and callous for a few days before planting to avoid rot. Once planted in well-draining soil, they develop roots over several weeks.

This slow but reliable propagation method helps expand jade plant collections. It is a practical option for succulent lovers who want more plants without buying new ones.

Snake Plant

Snake plants can be propagated from leaf cuttings or division. Leaf cuttings root slowly in moist soil or water. The thick, tough leaves provide enough stored energy to support new root growth.

This propagation technique is simple and low-maintenance. It is ideal for people looking to multiply snake plants for indoor spaces since they require little care once rooted.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia plants propagate well from softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Cuttings root quickly when placed in a moist, well-draining medium. This is a common method to increase the number of plants with vibrant flowers.

Maintaining humidity and indirect light during rooting encourages success. Propagation from cuttings ensures new plants keep the parent’s flower colors and shape, perfect for gardeners wanting consistent blooms.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.