How to Propagate Hydrangeas in 7 Easy Steps

Looking for ways to grow more hydrangeas without breaking the bank? Learn how to propagate hydrangeas and get more plants for FREE with these easy propagation methods.

Do you love hydrangeas as much as I do?

Seriously, I can’t get enough of them and want to grow more.

Like A LOT more.

I’ve been thinking about ways to get more hydrangeas for free so I can tuck a few more in my gardens.

Do you remember when I divided my hydrangea?

It was a good workout splitting it. Because those roots were tough!

But there are other ways to get more hydrangeas for free that, with a little patience, are pretty easy to do.

Are you ready to give it a go? Here’s what you need to do.

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What is Propagation?

In general, propagating a plant means we are increasing its numbers or enlarging the population.

There are lots of ways to propagate plants.

Here is a list of some common ways to propagate plants.

• Leaf cuttings
• Dividing plants
• Layering
• Stem cuttings

Can You Grow a Hydrangea from a Cutting?

The answer is YES!

In fact, hydrangeas are one of the most popular shrubs to grow from cuttings because they are so well-loved and easy to propagate.

When Is the Best Time to Propagate Hydrangeas

When you make cuts, look for current season growth that is mature enough to have a woody base and still have a soft tip.

But the best time to propagate hydrangeas is in the spring when the plant is leafing out to late summer when the leaves are still lush and green.

How Long Do Hydrangea Cuttings Take to Root?

In general, hydrangea cuttings take about 2-3 weeks to root.

However, it could also take more or less time so don’t feel discouraged if 3 weeks goes by and it hasn’t rooted yet.

The environment plays a role in how quickly hydrangea cuttings will root.

It’s important to check on them periodically to insure they look healthy and give a little tug to see if they’ve rooted yet.

How to Propagate Hydrangeas Two Ways

Hydrangeas are beautiful plants that can add color and texture to any garden. One of the best things about them is how easy they are to propagate.

With just a few simple steps, you can get more hydrangea plants and grow your garden for free in a few ways.

Today, we are going to review two different methods to propagate hydrangea. And both ways can be done in a few easy steps.

Wait until you see how easy both are to do!

How to Propagate Hydrangeas From Root Cuttings

Propagating hydrangeas from leaves is one of the easiest ways to double your stock.

Simple cut leaves, dip in some rooting hormone, plant in vermiculite or sterile soil, and you’ll have new plants in a few weeks.

Here’s how to do it!

Supplies Needed to Propagating Hydrangeas from Leaves

While you might have most of these items on this list, here’s what you need to propagate hydrangeas from leaves.

• pruners
• rooting hormone
• vermiculite or sterile soil
• plastic nursery pot
• plastic wrap
• watering can

How to Propagate Hydrangeas From Leaves Directions

1. Choose a branch that did not flower this season and cut a 5-6″ branch.
2. Remove the lower leaves of the bottom two leaf nodes (where a leaf comes out of the branch). This is where most roots will grow from.
3. Cut the largest leaves down to roughly half size.
4. Stick finger or pencil into sterile soil or damp vermiculite to make planting hole.
5. Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and insert into a sterile medium or damp vermiculite. Gently close the planting hole.
6. Water well and allow to drain. Soil should be damp but not drenched.
7. Add small stakes and cover with plastic wrap. I prefer to add the stakes before planting the root cutting but you can do it either way.

Pre-moisten the soil or vermiculite so you don’t wash out the rooting hormone.

But don’t oversaturate it either.

Make a hole with your finger to make room for the cutting.

This will help keep the rooting hormone undisturbed as you plant the cutting.

Dip the cutting in rooting hormone.

I prefer to add the rooting hormone to a separate small container so I don’t contaminate the main jar.

You might waste a little more this way, but it keeps everything clean and sanitary.

Hydrangea Propagation Tips for Cuttings:

• Keep hydrangea cuttings out of the sun in a bright shady spot.
• To avoid root rot, only water when the top layer of soil or vermiculite begins to feel dry.
• Cuttings should take about 2-3 weeks to form roots. You’ll know it is rooting if you gently tug on the cutting and feel some resistance.
• When dipping the cuttings in rooting hormone, don’t dip it directly in the jar. Pour some rooting hormone into a small bowl and dip from there. This will help prevent the spread of disease in the jar of rooting hormone.
• Use clean containers to plant cuttings.
• Dampen the soil or vermiculite before starting.

How to Propagate Hydrangeas Using Ground Layering

Even easier than the root-cutting method of propagating hydrangeas, is ground layering them.

Have you ever done that before?

It takes a few weeks from start to finish for roots to form, but in no time, you’ll have a new hydrangea plant that is ready for transplanting.

Here’s what you need to do.

Propagating Hydrangea by Ground Layering Supplies

• brick or stone
• hand trowel

How to Propagate Hydrangeas Using Ground Layering Technique

1. Choose a hydrangea branch that is close to the ground.
2. Remove the leaves where the branch will touch the ground when you gently bend it down.
3. Scrape some bark off the branch in this area. Make sure at least one leaf node will be under the ground. This will help encourage root growth.
4. Keep the branch attached to the mother plant. Do not cut it!
5. Dig about a 2″ deep trench, lower the branch in, and cover it with soil.
6. To keep the branch from popping out of the soil, place a brick or stone on the buried area to weigh it down.
7. When roots form, cut the branch from the mother plant and pot it up or plant it in the garden.

Remove the leaves where the branch touches the ground.

Scrape off some of the bark.

And make sure one of the leaf nodes is planted under the soil.

Dig a small hole where the branch will be planted.

Then pull the branch down and cover it with soil.

To weigh it down, add something heavy like a small rock.

This will keep it from popping back up out of the ground.

Hydrangea Propagation Tips for Ground Layering

• Occasionally water. I typically let nature take care of this but if it hasn’t rained, I water.
• To determine whether it rooted, lightly tug on branch. If you feel resistance, it has roots.

I am so excited to get more hydrangeas from the plants I already have. I’ve heard hydrangeas can be rooted in water but I’ve not tried that way before.

Have you?

If so, let me know how it went!

Also, in general, these propagation methods can be used with other plants as too.

It’s fun to experiment to see what propagates well and what doesn’t.

Happy Planting!

More About Propagating Hydrangeas

Have you ever propagated a hydrangea before? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

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More Hydrangea Posts You Might Love

• The Complete Guide to Hydrangea Care and Their Flowers
• The Basics of Hydrangea Care
• Pruning Basics for Hydrangeas
• How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
• How to Divide Hydrangeas
• Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming?
• Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming – Update?
• The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Fresh Cut Hydrangeas from Drooping
• Are Hydrangeas Deer Resistant?
• How to Make a Hydrangea Wreath for Free

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad. And it repels other animals too. Yay!
• This is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses and other plants from afar.
• I use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow-through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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