How to propagate plants by cuttings: It’s easier than you think!

Join Erika Galentin, clinical herbalist and gardener, for an introductory lesson on propagating herbaceous plants by taking cuttings, or cloning. No rooting hormone needed!

This is a delightful and relatively easy way to expand populations of plants in your gardens, create more plants from a single plant that has desirable characteristics, and share your favorite plants with friends.

If you are new to propagation via cuttings, some of the easiest plants to start with are in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Some native varieties include mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp) or bee balms (Monarda spp.). Other Mints like spearmint or lemonbalm also take very well to cuttings (but rarely need the help spreading).

Supplies you need include:
- sharp garden pruners or scissors
- potting soil or growing media with a very basic composition (no added fertilizer, moisture beads, or surfactants)
- container for cuttings that have individual cells for each cutting (like a paper egg carton)
- patience :)