Perennials and shrubs can take a long time to grow from seeds, so many gardeners start them from cuttings.

Seeds can turn out to look completely different from their parent plants, whereas cuttings are always identical clones.

  1. Your cutting should be 8-12 cm long, preferably from a stem without flower buds. Remove the lower leaves completely
  2. Trim back the bottom leaves to prevent excessive loss of moisture.
  3. Dip in a rooting hormone that contains fungicide. (wear gloves or be sure to wash your hands afterwards). This is a liquid or power that encourages root growth.
  4. Use an appropriately sized pencil to create a hole in the soil.
  5. You can root in vermiculite, finely ground perlite or sterilized potting soil. Lightly pat down soil around the stem.
  6. Keep your new transplant moist all the time by tenting it in clear plastic. A sawed off plastic bottle can make a sturdy alternative to a plastic bag. A heat mat will hasten root growth by warming the soil.

You will know the plant has rooted if you feel resistance when you tug gently on the stem a few weeks later.