12 Flowering Annuals You Can Grow From Cuttings

Root stem cuttings from favorite annuals like zinnias, begonias, and marigolds in water or potting mix to grow new plants. Once established, you can add to your garden or try coaxing blooms indoors.

Also see this list of when to take cuttings including perennial shrubs and vines.

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Propagating Cuttings From Annuals

There are several popular flowering annuals that can grow from cuttings.

By “annual” we mean non-hardy flowering plants we typically grow for a single summer growing season.

The best time to take cuttings is in spring when the plants are young and the stems have several sets of leaves but have not started to bud or flower.

Cuttings can be rooted in water or moist potting mix (here is some potting mix at Amazon). The methods are essentially the same for all of the plants listed below.

While rooting hormone may be recommended in some tutorials, it’s often not necessary. Tender, young plants like these ones are quick to root without assistance. It’s woody, slow-growing “hardwood” cuttings (not the plants listed here) that benefit from it.

Once your annual cuttings are rooted (have grown roots), you can transplant them into your outdoor summer garden or try bringing them indoors for the winter. Some like geraniums (Pelargoniums) can bloom indoors with great enthusiasm while others like zinnia may produce smaller but (still) beautiful flowers.

I always recommend taking several cuttings at a time, trying an assortment of plants, both in water and potting mix.

Some may root, others will not.

And, if nothing works, do not give up. Only the plant knows when the circumstances are just right—even if we think we’re doing everything perfectly.

Keep curious and keep trying!

You can get a copy of the plant list in the Resources section along with how-to tutorials.

Flowering Annuals to Grow From Stem Cuttings

To support your local ecosystem, check first that any plants you grow outdoors are not invasive in your area and have not been treated with sprays known to harm local wildlife or pollinators. This is not always mentioned on plant tags so you may need to ask the grower.

Plant List

• Begonia (Begonia spp.)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)

• How to grow mums from cuttings

• Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides or Plectranthus scutellarioides)

• Dianthus (Dianthus chinensis) Sweet William

• Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

• Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

• How to cuttings from geraniums (Pelargoniums)

• Impatiens (Impatiens spp.)

• Plumbago (Petunia spp.)

• Spurflowers (Plectranthus spp.)

• Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

• Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Resources

Propagation Tips

• Preparation | If you will be bringing your cuttings indoors, use these plant de-bugging tips first.
• Patents | Some plants are protected by patents and propagation is not allowed. The article explains how to check.
• Rooting Stems in Water | This tutorial on how to root zinnia cuttings shows the water method and can work for any of these plants. Those with fine, tender, narrow stems work best.
• Rooting Stems in Potting Mix | This general tutorial shows how to root plant cuttings in potting mix. The key is to never let the potting mix dry out or become water-logged.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛