Two incredibly easy plants to propagate

Even if you don't think you have a green thumb--I can [almost] guarantee you can propagate these!

I have accidently propagated these "several" times...just by leaving them in a vase of water for a long time (scroll to read Shortcut #1)

Plant propagation involves creating a new plant from the stems, roots, tubers, or bulbs of an original plant.

Beware...growing your garden by propagating plants can be addicting.

Some plants are best grown from seed, but some plants are exceptionally easy to propagate!

Here are the easiest two plants:

Willow (Salix Discolor) - Adds that striking structural element in the vase.

AND

Silver Shield (Plectranthus) - Looks famously like Lambs Ear, but is taller.

Both of these are so beautiful in arrangements which makes them useful to propagate and grow in larger amounts.

The process below will work for both plants.

1. Cut a piece of stem (Willow 6", Silver Shield 3-4" can be a side shoot off the main stem)

   
   

2. Remove leaves from the lower several inches of stem, leaving at least 2 leaves at the top.

   
   

3. Poke a hole with a pencil into moist, clean, sterile soil.

   
   

4. Place stem into the hole and push soil in around it gently and firmly.

   
   

5. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. (No standing water)

   
   

6. Stems should begin to send new roots out within 2 weeks.

   
   

7. Keep plants watered while the roots are developing, then they can be carefully planted into the garden.

Shortcut #1: You can cut the stems and set in a vase or bucket of clean water for 2 weeks, the stems should root and you can gently plant them in a pot or in the garden, keep them well watered until established in their new location.

(Willow, rooted in the vase)

(Silver Shield also began to root in my garden bucket)

Shortcut #2: You can cut the stems and plant right into the garden (provide some shade) and keep the soil almost continually moist for 2 weeks...they should begin to form roots within 2 weeks.

BONUS other plants that are easy to propagate:

Mums

Tomatoes

Succulents

Sedum

Blackberry

Mint

As you begin successfully propagating you may end up with extra plants to share with friends, family and neighbors...or extra cuttings and you could organize a "plant [cutting] swap!"

Happy Growing!

-Katie

*Do check for patents on any plants you want to propagate to sell.

(Willow, rooted cuttings)