How to Grow Plants from Seeds & Cuttings

Last updated October 18, 2021 ♛ By

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Want to grow more plants without the expense of buying new ones? Starting plants from seeds and cuttings is a simple and frugal way to expand your garden without busting your budget.

The how-tos listed here are suitable for beginners. Also, dig in to More growing tips for beginner gardeners.

Trowel, flower pots, and potting bench for propagating plants.

Grow Your Own Plants from Seeds and Cuttings

Trowel in garden soil.

If the words ‘plant propagation’ have you reaching for the snooze alarm or running for the hills, I’m with you! The worst thing experienced gardeners can do is make it all seem too boring-or too complicated-for beginners.

And there’s no excuse for this. It is not complicated.

Propagation simply means growing new plants from existing ones. It’s how all new plants are made in nature and a cultivated garden. And the wonderful thing is, there’s plenty of plants we can multiply within our own gardens with minimal effort and no money spent.

Here’s a bunch of tips to get your started.

Wait! Before You Plant…

Empress of Dirt.

Be sure any plants you choose:

  1. Are recommended for your plant hardiness zone.
  2. Are not invasive in your area.
  3. Are suitable for your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind.
  4. Contribute to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat for wildlife.
  5. Are not too big for the space available when they reach maturity.

You can read more ecological gardening tips here.

Plant Patents: Some plants are patented and asexual reproduction is not permitted without permission from the patent holder. Patents and trademarks are listed on plant tags.

1Grow New Plants from Cuttings

2Sow Seeds

When you’re just starting out, you will probably purchase seeds. As your garden grows, you may want to start saving seeds for future planting.

Seed Starting For Beginners ebook cover.

Seed Starting for Beginners
Sow Inside Grow Outside

by Melissa J. Will

NEW EDITION | Everything you need to get started with indoor seed starting for indoor and outdoor plants. Grow what you want—any time of year!

About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop

This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.

Buy Now
$8 US

PayPal, Credit Card, Apple Pay

3Grow Fruits & Vegetables

New Plants By Division

Shovel.

Another simple way to get new plants from existing ones is to divide them up.

It varies by type of plant, but the basic premise is the same for most.

Once a plant is well-established with a large root base, you can dig up the plant, cut right through with a shovel, and plant one half elsewhere.

It’s not only a good way to get a new established free plant but often better for the original, crowded plant.

4Grow Flowers

5Herbs

Resources

Empress of Dirt

Seasonal Plant Cuttings Calendar

Examples of plants you can grow from cuttings in spring, summer, and fall.

Save to your device and/or print it.

Get Free Tip Sheet

Propagation How-to Books

These are books I like for plant propagation tips and tutorials:

  1. AHS Plant Propagation | American Horticultural Associate
  2. Grow Your Own Garden | Carol Klein
  3. Plant Propagator’s Bible | Miranda Smith

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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