It’s easy and fun to get more of these beautiful vines to grow in your garden by taking cuttings and planting them. There are two ways to root clematis cuttings: in soil or water. Many gardeners root them in soil. You can closely watch the roots grow when you propagate in water, and it can work well if you have a lot of problems with traditional soil propagation.
What You’ll Need
- A healthy clematis vine that is at least 2 years old
- Sharp, clean pruners or scissors
- Clear jar or vase
- Fresh water
- Small stones or marbles (optional)
When to Take Cuttings
Late spring or early summer is the best time to take clematis cuttings for water propagation because the vines are already growing quickly. Look for stems that are healthy, aren’t flowering, and don’t have any signs of disease or damage. Cut off pieces of the plant in the morning, when it is fully turgid.
Choosing the Cuttings
- Select stems that are slightly hardened, not the very soft new growth.
- Look for stems with healthy leaves in pairs along the stem.
- Cut stems to 4-6 inches long.
- Remove any flowers or flower buds.
- Make a straight cut just below a leaf node using clean, sharp pruners.
Rooting in Water
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Fill your jar with room temperature water, Add a few small stones if you want to help anchor the cuttings,
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Remove any leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting to reduce rotting, You can leave 1-2 sets of leaves on the top
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You can dip the cutting’s bare end in rooting hormone powder if you want to help the roots grow. Tap off excess powder.
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Place the prepared cuttings in the jar, making sure the bare stem ends stay submerged in water.
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Put the jar in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Indirect light will encourage rooting.
Caring for Cuttings
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Check water level daily and top off with fresh room temperature water as needed.
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Change the water completely every 4-5 days to prevent rotting.
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Look for new white roots emerging after 2-3 weeks. Some cuttings may take longer.
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Keep an eye out for stem rot or yellowing leaves, and cut off any cuttings that die. Over the next few weeks, healthy cuttings will keep growing roots.
Potting Up Rooted Cuttings
Once the cuttings have a network of white roots about 1-2 inches long, they are ready to be potted up.
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Fill small pots with moist potting mix.
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Carefully remove cuttings from the water and tease roots apart if root bound.
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Plant in pots, firming the mix gently around the roots.
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Water well and keep in a sheltered spot out of direct sun for a few days.
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Gradually introduce to brighter light over 2-3 weeks.
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Grow on indoors or outdoors until well established.
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Transplant into the garden in late summer or the following spring.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Rotting stems: Change water more frequently. Reduce water depth so fewer leaves are submerged. Remove any damaged leaves. Discard any cuttings with severe rot.
Yellowing leaves: This can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or insufficient light. Adjust conditions and remove any deteriorating cuttings.
No root growth: Rooting time can vary. Some cuttings may take 4-8 weeks for roots to emerge. Discard any cuttings that decline. Take more cuttings in case of failure.
Small roots but no new growth: If roots form but leaves and stems remain small and weak, the cuttings may be rooting but struggling to establish. Try potting them up earlier into soil.
Final Tips for Success
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Propagating clematis in water does work but can be slower and less reliable than conventional soil propagation. Start more cuttings than you need.
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Change the water frequently to prevent rotting. Use filtered or rain water for best results.
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Keep cuttings in bright indirect light and maintain consistent moisture in the jar.
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Monitor closely and remove any cuttings that show signs of decline.
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When roots are 1-2 inches long, pot up cuttings to help them establish better.
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Propagating from younger versus older wood may offer higher success rate for some varieties.
With a little patience and proper care, you can root clematis cuttings in water. In no time you’ll have beautiful vines to add to your garden or share with other clematis lovers.
