Propagating Plants from Stem Cuttings: A Complete Guide to Rooting Hormone Success

Multiply your favorite house and garden plants for free using stem cuttings and rooting hormone—faster than seeds (half the rooting time) and genetically identical to the mother plant.

Materials Checklist

• Healthy mother plant (enough stems to spare)
• Flat with peat moss mixture
• Sharp sterile knife/razor blade
• Rooting hormone
• Containers for water and hormone
• Alcohol (sterilization)
• Pencil/stick (dibble tool)
• Plastic bag (humidity dome)

Peat Moss Mix Recipes

• Sand + peat moss
• Perlite + peat moss
• Sand + vermiculite
• Perlite + vermiculite
• Equal parts sand, perlite, vermiculite (or peat moss substitute)

Step-by-Step Process

1. Select cuttings: Thick, green, non-flowering stems. Cut just below a node (leaf attachment—hormone concentration zone). Make second slanted cut 2-3" above. Result: 3" cutting with 2-3 nodes.
2. Prepare cutting: Remove side shoots, most leaves (keep a few for photosynthesis). Remove large leaves (wilting stresses cutting). Sterile cut at bottom node (root formation site).
3. Apply hormone: Dip bottom 1" in water, then rooting hormone. Tap excess. Discard leftover hormone after use (activated by contact).
4. Plant: Moisten mix, dibble holes (pencil/stick) to keep hormone on cutting. Insert cuttings 4-5" apart. Firm mix gently.
5. Create mini-greenhouse: Cover container with plastic bag (unsealed for air circulation). Place in warm spot. High humidity + heat = rapid rooting.
6. Monitor: Condensation = too much moisture; remove bag temporarily. Move to light only after new growth appears.
7. Test roots: Gentle tug after few weeks. Resistance = ready for individual pots.

Keys to Success

• Sterile tools prevent disease
• Green, non-woody stems root easiest
• Node-focused cuts maximize hormone exposure
• Humidity dome essential initially
• Patience: weeks for roots, then acclimation

This technique transforms one plant into many—expanding your garden, sharing with friends, or preserving cherished varieties—all from a simple stem cutting.