Plant propagation: 3 easy ways to grow more plants this spring

Spring warmth encourages active growth, making it a useful time for plant propagation. You can raise plants from seed, take softwood cuttings and divide suitable clumping plants. Propagation is inexpensive, satisfying and easier when you match the method to the plant.

Plant propagation by seed

Seeds create genetically new plants, so seedlings may not look exactly like the parent, especially when they come from hybrids. Check the packet for the correct season and any special treatment before you sow.

Seed-growing toolkit

• Clean seed trays, punnets or small pots with drainage holes.
• Rocky Point Seed & Cutting Mix.
• Fresh seed and waterproof plant labels.
• A watering can with a fine rose or a clean mister.
• A clear cover or mini greenhouse, if extra humidity is needed.

How to sow

1. Fill the container with Rocky Point Seed & Cutting Mix and tap it gently to settle the mix without compacting it hard.
2. Moisten the mix before sowing so small seeds are not washed out of position.
3. Follow the sowing depth on the packet. If no instruction is available, a common rule is to cover seed to roughly two or three times its thickness. Very fine seed may need only a light covering, and some species need light to germinate.
4. Label the container with the plant name and sowing date.
5. Keep the mix evenly moist, not saturated.
6. Temperature and light requirements vary, so use the seed packet as your guide.
7. Remove clear covers once seedlings emerge and give them bright light with good airflow.
8. Thin or transplant seedlings after true leaves develop. Harden them off gradually before moving them into stronger sun or an exposed garden bed.

Carrots and other root crops are generally best sown where they will grow because transplanting can disturb the developing root. Beans, peas, corn, pumpkins, zucchini, melons, sunflowers and nasturtiums are also commonly direct-sown once conditions are warm enough. In cool climates, wait until frost risk has passed for warm-season crops.

Plant propagation from softwood cuttings

Softwood is the fresh, flexible growth produced during an active growing season. Cuttings make clones of the parent plant, so choose healthy, pest-free growth from a plant you want to grow more of.

Cutting toolkit

• Sharp, clean secateurs or a propagation knife.
• Small pots or propagation cells.
• Rocky Point Seed & Cutting Mix.
• A clear propagation cover and plant labels.

How to take a softwood cutting

1. Take cuttings in the cool of the morning and keep them shaded and moist while you work.
2. Cut a healthy, non-flowering shoot just below a node. Around 7–10 cm suits many plants, but the ideal length varies by species.
3. Remove the lower leaves, keeping a few at the top. Large leaves can be reduced if they lose moisture quickly.
4. Insert the base into pre-moistened Rocky Point Seed & Cutting Mix and firm the mix gently around it.
5. Cover loosely to maintain humidity, making sure plastic does not sit on the leaves. Keep in bright, indirect light.
6. Keep the mix moist and allow airflow. Rooting may take a few weeks or considerably longer, depending on the plant and conditions.

New growth or gentle resistance when the cutting is lightly tested can indicate roots are forming. Once a healthy root system has developed, pot the cutting into Rocky Point Premium Potting Mix and gradually acclimatise it to its final position.

Basil, mint, coleus, plectranthus and many salvias are friendly starting points. Rosemary, lavender, hydrangea, fuchsia, geraniums and some daisies can also be propagated this way, although the best cutting stage and rooting time differ.

Plant propagation by division

Division separates a clumping plant into smaller pieces, each with roots and at least one healthy shoot or growing point. It can rejuvenate a crowded plant as well as make extras. Suitable candidates include daylilies, agapanthus, canna lilies, clivias, mondo grass, liriope, chives, lemongrass and some groundcovers. Not every plant can be divided, so check before lifting it.

Method for dividing plants

1. Water the plant beforehand and choose a mild day rather than extreme heat.
2. Lift the clump with a garden fork or remove it carefully from its pot.
3. Pull sections apart by hand or use a clean spade or secateurs for dense roots.
4. Replant promptly at the same depth. For pots, use Rocky Point Coco Pro or Rocky Point Premium Potting Mix. For garden beds, prepare the surrounding Rocky Point Garden Soil with Rocky Point ActivGrow Soil Improver.
5. Water thoroughly and keep the new divisions evenly moist while roots re-establish.

Whether you start with seeds, cuttings or division, plant propagation is a simple way to grow more of the plants you love and make the most of spring growth.