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How to Propagate Hydrangeas: Everything You Need To Know

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 tips.

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.

And I’ve been thinking about propagating hydrangeas so I can tuck a few more in my flower gardens.

Have you ever rooted hydrangea cuttings or branches before?

If not, these are a few of the methods I’m sharing in today’s post that will help you grow more hydrangeas for free.

All you need is a little patience because it’s super 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 and Why Do It?

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

There are lots of ways to propagate plants. And some are easier to do than others.

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

Can You Propagate Hydrangea Plants?

Absolutely, propagating hydrangea plants is not hard but takes some time for the roots to form. So patience is key during the process.

close up of lacecap hydrangea with stella d'oro sunflower in background of pool garden with green garden fence and yellow building in background
Lacecap hydrangea

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.

It takes little time to do but the roots need time to develop before you have new plants.

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.

close up of lacecap hydrangea flowers
Lacecap hydrangea

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 three weeks go 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 ensure they look healthy and give a little tug to see if they’ve rooted yet.

blue and white hydrangea flowers in the backyard garden in my early summer garden tour in new jersey
White and blue hydrangea flowers

How to Propagate Hydrangea Plants Two Ways

Hydrangeas are beautiful plants that can add color and texture to any garden. As pretty as they are, one of the best things about them is how easy it is to grow hydrangea from cutting.

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

Today, we chatting about two different methods for propagating hydrangeas. Wait until you see how easy both are to do!

limelight hydrangeas in the flower garden

How to Propagate Hydrangeas From Root Cuttings

Rooting hydrangea cuttings is one of the easiest ways to double your stock.

It’s as simple as cutting branches, dipping them in some rooting hormone, and planting in vermiculite or sterile soil. After a few weeks, you’ll have hydrangea roots and new plants for your flower garden.

Here’s how to do it!

Supplies Needed to Propagating Hydrangeas from Leaves

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

Cutting hydrangea to propagate - The Complete Guide to Hydrangea Care
Cutting hydrangea for propagation
pre moistening vermiculite to Propagate Hydrangeas
Moistening vermiculite before propagating hydrangeas

How to Propagate Hydrangeas From Leaves Directions

In general, here’s how to propagate hydrangeas from cuttings.

  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 a finger or pencil into sterile soil or damp vermiculite to make a 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.

To give you a visual and go into a little more detail about how to propagate hydrangea cuttings, here are a few more tips as you work.

Poking hole in vermiculite before planting hydrangea cutting for propagation Propagate Hydrangeas
Poking hole in vermiculite before inserting hydrangea leaf cutting

Make sure you pre-moisten the soil or vermiculite before beginning so you don’t wash out the rooting hormone.

And don’t oversaturate it either or it will be too damp to work. Just lightly water the soil or vermiculite so it’s damp but not soggy wet.

Then make a hole with your finger to make room for the cutting. This will help keep the rooting hormone undisturbed on the hydrangea cutting as you plant.

I prefer to add the rooting hormone to a separate small container so I don’t contaminate the main jar. It is a more sanitary practice than dipping that hydrangea cutting directly in the jar.

Then dip the cutting in rooting hormone.

You might waste a little more of the rooting hormone this way, but it keeps everything clean and sanitary when you go to use the hormone again later.

Dipping cut hydrangea into rooting hormone to Propagate the hydrangea
Dipping hydrangea leaf cutting in rooting hormone
hydrangea cuttings after planting for propagation -Propagate Hydrangeas
Group of leaf cuttings for hydrangea propagation

Quick 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.
close up of panicle hydrangea
Panicle Hydrangea

How to Propagate Hydrangeas Using Ground Layering Method

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

Have you ever done it 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. And it’s super simple to do.

Here’s what you need to do.

Propagating Hydrangea by Ground Layering Supplies

Minimal supplies are needed for growing more hydrangeas using the ground layering method. Here’s what you need.

Propagating hydrangea using layering method
Choose a branch that is close to the ground.

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.
Removing leaves where branches touch ground for layering method - Propagate Hydrangeas
pinch
hydrangea branch stripped of leaves before layering method for Propagate Hydrangeas
Laying hydrangea branch on ground before layering with soil
Diggin hole to Propagate Hydrangeas using layering method
Digging small hole to lay the hydrangea branch in for propagation
Covering branch to Propagate Hydrangeas using layering method
Covering up the hydrangea branch with soil

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 is rooted, lightly tug on the branch. If you feel resistance, you’ll know there are hydrangea roots.

The ground layering method is my preferred method of hydrangea propagation because you don’t have to closely monitor it and leave the plant to do its thing.

However, if I wanted to grow more than a few plants, then I’d opt for rooting hydrangeas via cutting.

Adding rock to weight down branch after using layering method to Propagate Hydrangeas in 7 Easy Steps
Weighting down the hydrangea branch so it stays in contact with soil to produce roots

More About Hydrangea Propagation

I am so excited to get more hydrangeas from the plants I already have. I’ve heard you can propagate hydrangea in water too but I’ve not tried it that way before.

Have you? Or have you tried hydrangea propagation before from one of the other methods? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Also, in general, these propagation methods can be used with other plants as well. It’s fun to experiment to see what propagates well and what doesn’t.

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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Happy Planting!

blue hydrangea flowers in october

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!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

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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.

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Do you remember when I divided my hydrangea?

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

Hydrangea paniculata in bloom

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12 Comments

  1. thank you for the instructions. i have tried to grow hydrangeas over the years. No success. I am recently retired and my goal is to ramp up my yard with plants and flowers. Do you have any ways to propagate roses? I received some beautiful cut roses. some have started growing new leaves while in the vase. Can these be replanted??? thanks for any help/suggestions.

  2. I have had great success with this I use the clear plastic cups so I can see the roots they the sides or bottom! Thanks for posting I enjoy your garden’s!

  3. I’m planning to do this…FINALLY! I have a garden space in the backyard where I want to grow hydrangeas and this is a less expensive way of doing it.

  4. I currently have two branches rooting in water in a soda bottle in my northwest facing kitchen window. A friend shared two stems from one of the new red hydrangeas. After about two weeks, roots are showing on both stems. They are currently only about 1/4” long. I’m guessing w will wait until they are well rooted, and pot them up into small pots and put them in the greenhouse to winter over and bring them out in the spring to plant in the back yard. I am in Zone 8. Is my plan sound? Not sure I should put them directly into the ground this fall.

    1. That’s a good question because if you have a mild winter, they might be fine. It’s probably a safer route to keep it in the greenhouse and plant outside in early spring.