4 Ways To Propagate Hydrangeas To Create New Plants

Hydrangeas can be propagated easily, and doing so can reward you with an abundance of these flowering shrubs. You can easily propagate these plants through various methods and enjoy their beauty in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Plant propagation is a process of creating more plants from existing ones. Through this easy process, you can fill your garden with a large number of plants such as Hydrangeas. These plants are available in a dozen varieties, and almost all of them can be propagated.

The big flowers of hydrangeas come in a variety of colors, such as pink, blue, white, purple, and more. All you need is some healthy hydrangeas, and with enough time and patience, you can propagate these plants easily.

This article will help you propagate hydrangeas and also explore different ways you can use to propagate hydrangeas. So without further ado, let’s begin.

Basics of Propagating Hydrangeas

Before we explore how to propagate hydrangeas, there are some basics that everyone should know –

• Timing: Late spring to early summer is the best time to propagate hydrangeas as the plant features new growth around this time that can be removed easily and has more success in growing as compared to the hard fall foliage. New Hydrangea growth is likely to develop between May and July.
• Preparing Rooting Container: For stem cuttings, you need to create a rooting container beforehand. You can use 3-4 inch pots for a single cutting or an 8-10 inch pot for several cuttings.
• Select the Branch: To propagate hydrangeas, you need a healthy branch that is free from any plant disease or pest infestation. The new plant will have the same characteristics as the parent plant, so select a healthy branch with good foliage and flower growth.
• Tools: Use clean and sharp gardening tools to get a healthy cut and not affect the parent plant.

How to Propagate Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas can be propagated using various methods, such as –

1. Stem Cuttings

One of the easiest and most effective ways to propagate hydrangeas is through stem cuttings. As mentioned earlier, Mid-late spring to early summer is the best time to take stem cuttings from hydrangeas. Here are the steps to propagate hydrangeas through stem cuttings –

• Use sharp gardening tools to cut a 5-6 inch stem cutting from the tip of a branch that did not flower last year.
• To reveal the leaf nodes, remove the last two leaves from the cutting.
• Cut down the remaining leaves to half their size. This will reduce the stress on the plant to maintain foliage growth and will encourage more root growth.
• To hurry up the root formation process, dip the end of the cutting in the rooting hormone. Finally, plant the cutting in a moist soil mix with the lowest leaf nodes buried in the soil.
• Water the new cutting thoroughly. You can also place the pot in a plastic bag to retain moisture and place the pot with new cuttings in a location with indirect sunlight.

Hydrangea cuttings usually take 2-3 weeks to form roots. Check for root formation by gently tugging on the plant; if you feel resistance, the roots are formed. You can then repot the plant to a new and bigger pot or directly into the ground.

2. Division

Division may feel like a harsh method, but chopping up the parent plant to form new plants won’t hurt them. Here are the steps you should follow to propagate hydrangeas using division –

• Using a sharp spade, cut down a 6-inch or larger part that includes enough leaves and roots from the edge of an established hydrangea plant.
• Keep the potting requirements ready for the divided section, as it needs to be planted before the roots dry out.
• Plant the division in similar soil and depth as the parent plant, and water the plant thoroughly. Moreover, cover the soil with mulch to retain moisture till the plant is established.

3. Layering

Hydrangeas with long and flexible branches can be propagated via layering. This method can be done over spring or early summer for successful propagation. Here are the steps to propagate hydrangeas using layering –

• Select a long and flexible branch present on the outer edge of an established and healthy hydrangea plant.
• Remove the leaves from the branch and bend it towards the ground. The top 4 inches of the branch should touch the ground. Moreover, make sure not to break the stem while cutting it.
• Using a garden trowel, loosen up the soil beneath the stem and bury the section with leaf nodes in the soil. Cover the buried stem with more soil and use a heavy stone or brick to keep it in place.
• Water the soil and keep it moist, and make sure not to disturb the stem.
• Check for root formation after 3-4 weeks by gently tugging on the stem.
• Wait for 4 weeks before digging the stem for transplanting. Cut the rooted stem from the parent plant and shift it to a pot or a new location in the ground.

4. Water

Although hydrangeas can be propagated in water, the success rate of this method is rather low. The stems of hydrangeas often rot before they start rooting. Moreover, water-grown roots do not transplant well and usually fail to survive in the soil.

To propagate hydrangeas in water, choose a green, soft, and non-flowering stem. Remove the lower leaves from the stem and place them in water. Place the cutting in bright and indirect light and hope for the best.

Conclusion

Hydrangeas are some of the most popular flowering plants that can thrive in both indoor and outdoor setups. Once you find your favourite variety, it is better to propagate hydrangeas rather than buy new ones, as it saves money, and growing your plants has a unique and rewarding feeling that can’t be matched. This guide covered all the possible methods to propagate hydrangeas that you can choose from. So, make sure to grow new plants by propagating parent plants, and improve your gardening skills. To learn more about plant propagation and care, download the Plantora app. This app will help you learn all the basics of gardening and plant care, and help you become a plant expert.

FAQs

Can all varieties of hydrangeas be propagated?

Yes, all varieties of Hydrangeas can be propagated. However, each variety might have a different success rate with different methods. The most successful one is propagation through stem cuttings. Also, make sure to check the patent on the varieties, as some nursery-grown varieties are illegal to propagate.

What is the best time to propagate hydrangeas?

To propagate hydrangeas, wait till late spring or early summer, and start propagating in the morning.

How long does it take for hydrangea cuttings to develop roots?

Usually, a hydrangea cutting takes 3-4 weeks to establish and form new roots.

Is it better to propagate hydrangeas in soil or water?

Soil-grown roots are easy to transplant and have a better chance of survival instead of water-grown roots. However, you can get lucky by rooting soft-stem hydrangeas in water.