Love your hydrangeas and wish you had more? Good news — it's easy to propagate them at home! Whether you're looking to fill out your landscape or share with friends, here's a simple guide to growing new hydrangeas from your existing plants.
Best Time to Propagate in Zone 8b:
Late spring to early summer (May to early July) is ideal, when the plant is actively growing but not blooming heavily.
What You’ll Need:
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Sharp scissors or pruning shears
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Small pots or containers
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Potting mix (preferably with perlite or peat for drainage)
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Rooting hormone (optional but helpful)
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Clear plastic bag or humidity dome (optional)
Step-by-Step: Propagating Hydrangeas from Cuttings
1. Choose the Right Stem
Select a healthy, non-flowering stem with at least 2-3 sets of leaves. It should be new growth that’s still flexible but not too soft.
2. Take Your Cutting
Using clean, sharp shears, cut a 4–6 inch piece just below a leaf node (where the leaf meets the stem).
3. Remove Lower Leaves
Strip off the bottom leaves, leaving one or two sets at the top. If the remaining leaves are large, cut them in half to reduce moisture loss.
4. (Optional) Dip in Ferti-lome Rooting Powder
Dip the cut end into rooting hormone, such as Ferti-lome Rooting Powder, to speed up the rooting process and increase success. (Rooting Powder can also be used on flowers, shrubs, and other ornamental plants.) Dip the cut end of your hydrangea cutting lightly into the powder and tap off any excess.
5. Plant Your Cutting
Place the cutting into a small pot filled with moist potting mix. Gently press the soil around the stem to hold it in place.
6. Create Humidity
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or dome to keep humidity high — just make sure it doesn’t touch the leaves. Keep it in bright, indirect light.
7. Wait and Watch
Roots should begin forming in 2–4 weeks. You can gently tug on the cutting to check for resistance (a sign of root growth).
8. Transplant When Ready
Once roots are 1–2 inches long, transplant your new hydrangea into a larger pot or directly into the garden. Keep it well-watered as it gets established.
Bonus Tips:
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Hydrangeas love morning sun and afternoon shade in our region.
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Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during the rooting process.
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Don’t rush — wait until fall or early the following spring to move them into their permanent spot in the garden.
With a little patience and care, you'll have new hydrangeas blooming beautifully in no time!