Hydrangeas are loved for their big, bright flowers that make any garden look beautiful. Hydrangeas have lush flower heads that come in enticing shades of blue, pink, purple, white, and green. If you know how to do it right, you can easily grow new hydrangea plants from a single leaf.
It’s easy and cheap to make genetic copies of your favorite plants by growing hydrangeas from leaves. This article will show you how to take leaf cuttings, root them, and grow hydrangeas.
Why Grow Hydrangeas from Leaves
You can get more hydrangeas for free by cutting off leaves and planting them in new places. Other advantages of starting hydrangeas from just a leaf include:
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Free new plants – No need to buy new hydrangeas when you can propagate more from existing ones.
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Genetic copies – The new hydrangeas will be identical clones of the parent plant.
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Portability – Take leaves with you anywhere to grow new plants.
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Space efficiency – Leaf cuttings take up little room compared to other methods.
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Rewarding project – It’s exciting to watch an entire plant emerge from a single leaf!
Overall, propagating from leaves is an easy, frugal way to expand your hydrangea collection.
When to Take Hydrangea Leaf Cuttings
The best time for taking leaf cuttings is during summer when leaves are actively growing. Choose fully mature, healthy leaves from new growth on the stems. Avoid old leaves or any with spots, damage or disease.
When plants are fresh and well-hydrated in the morning, this is the best time to take leaf cuttings. The leaf stems, or petioles, should be firm and full of life. Take several cuttings to allow for some that may fail.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for successfully rooting hydrangea leaves:
1. Prepare the Leaf Cuttings
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Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to cut each leaf’s petiole to 1-2 inches long.
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Sterilize tools between plants to prevent disease spread.
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Remove any other leaves attached to the petiole.
2. Apply Rooting Hormone (Optional)
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Dip the cut end of each petiole in rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage quicker root growth.
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Carefully follow label directions for the product’s proper use.
3. Insert in Propagation Mix
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Use a moistened mix of half peat moss and half perlite.
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Poke a small hole and insert each cutting to about half its depth.
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Gently firm the mix around the petioles and space 1-2 inches apart.
4. Provide Warmth and High Humidity
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Place trays of cuttings in a warm area (65-75°F) with very high humidity.
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Avoid direct hot sun. The goal is preventing moisture loss while new roots initiate.
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Mist frequently to keep the cuttings hydrated.
5. Watch for Root Development
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Check for rooting after 4-8 weeks.
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Gently tug on cuttings to feel resistance from new root growth.
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New shoots will also emerge once well rooted.
6. Transplant into Soil
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Once rooted, carefully pot up the cuttings in small containers using potting mix.
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Bury just the roots, keeping shoots above the soil level.
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Gradually expose to more sun and wind to harden off before transplanting into the garden.
Tips for Success
Follow these tips to get the best results rooting hydrangea leaves:
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Take cuttings from healthy, vigorous growth. Avoid old leaves.
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Keep cuttings constantly moist but not saturated.
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Apply fungicide spray/dust to prevent diseases like powdery mildew.
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Pinch off any flower buds to direct energy into root growth.
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Provide high humidity and warm temperatures of 65-75°F.
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Shelter new transplants from intense sun and wind at first.
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Remove half of large leaves to reduce moisture loss.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common propagation problems and how to resolve them:
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Rotting: Allow propagation mix to dry between waterings. Apply fungicide if needed.
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No root growth: Ensure high humidity levels. Check for roots at 8 weeks before discarding.
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Wilting: Increase air circulation and mist often.
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Small roots: Give more sun once rooted to avoid leggy growth. Transplant promptly.
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Leaf drop: This is normal as energy goes to new roots. Keep petioles very moist.
Supplies Needed
To propagate hydrangea leaves at home, you’ll need:
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Healthy hydrangea leaves
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Clean pruners or scissors
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Rooting hormone (optional)
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Propagation trays or pots
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Peat moss and perlite
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Plastic tents or cloches for humidity (optional)
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Gentle light source – no direct sun
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Small containers and potting mix
In just a few months, you can have a collection of brand new hydrangea plants grown easily and inexpensively from leaves. With proper care, nearly any healthy leaf can be propagated into an identical new shrub. It’s a simple, rewarding way to multiply your hydrangea collection for free.
How to take hydrangea cuttings
For hydrangea cuttings, use secateurs to cut off pieces of the stems and a knife to shape each piece. Due to its woody nature, it’s not possible to propagate a hydrangea cutting in water, so you’ll need to insert them into a pot of gritty compost, instead. Keep your cuttings in a propagator to retain moisture until the roots have developed (usually after about six weeks). When new leaves start to grow on your hydrangea cuttings, you’ll know they have rooted. If you gently pull on the cutting, you’ll feel resistance from the roots in the soil. You can then transplant the rooted cuttings straight away into individual pots for growing on, and overwinter them in a cold frame, or overwinter them as they are and transplant them the following spring. Regardless of when you transplant your hydrangea cuttings, they should be well-rooted and showing good signs of growth by the following spring, and should be ready to plant into larger pots or into the garden.
- Secateurs
- Sharp knife
- 7cm pots
- Gritty, well-drained compost
Step 1[image id=”71109″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”How to take hydrangea cuttings – selecting healthy shoots” alt=”How to take hydrangea cuttings – selecting healthy shoots” classes=””] Selecting healthy hydrangea shoots
Choose healthy shoots that are 10 to 15 cm long, don’t flower, and have at least two sets of leaves below the top set.
How to propagate hydrangeas from rooting leaves in 25 days
FAQ
Can you grow hydrangeas from a leaf?
Cut each hydrangea leaf in half with a knife. This reduces water loss and the stress endured by the rooting process. These leaves will soon be replaced when the cutting has rooted.
Do hydrangea cuttings root in water?
They won’t be small for long. Is it possible to root hydrangea cuttings in water? You can root them in water, but it’s not as reliable as starting them in potting mix. Also, you may get roots to grow in water, but the cutting may not transition well to soil later.
Do hydrangeas take in water through their leaves?
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Stems and Roots:The primary way hydrangeas take up water is through their roots, which absorb water from the soil. Water is then transported up the stems to all parts of the plant.
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Leaves:While not as efficient as roots, hydrangeas can absorb some water through their leaves, especially if they are exposed to high humidity or misting.
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Petals:Hydrangeas are unique in their ability to absorb water through their petals. This is why some experts recommend dunking hydrangea blooms in water to rehydrate them, as they can absorb water directly through the petal tissue.
Can you put hydrangea cuttings straight into the ground?
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Take cuttings from new, green stems (softwood) rather than older, woody stems (hardwood) for better results.
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Timing:The best time to take cuttings is in the early spring or during the growing season.
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Preparation:
- Cut a healthy stem, ideally 4-6 inches long, with a few leaves.
- Remove lower leaves where the cutting will be planted.
- Consider dipping the cut end in rooting hormone for faster root development, according to Real Simple.
- Alternatively, scrape some bark from the underside or cut a notch in the branch where it will touch the ground.
- Cut a healthy stem, ideally 4-6 inches long, with a few leaves.
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Planting:
- Dig a small hole and insert the cutting, ensuring the lower leaves are covered with soil.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Provide a protected area from excessive sun and wind.
- Dig a small hole and insert the cutting, ensuring the lower leaves are covered with soil.
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Rooting:
- Hydrangea cuttings typically take a few weeks to root.
- You’ll know they’re rooted when you see new growth and feel resistance when gently tugging the cutting.
- Hydrangea cuttings typically take a few weeks to root.
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Transplanting:
- Once rooted, you can transplant the cuttings into individual pots or directly into the garden.
- By the following spring, your new hydrangeas can be planted in the garden.
- Once rooted, you can transplant the cuttings into individual pots or directly into the garden.
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Alternative Method:Instead of cutting the stem from the mother plant, you can propagate a prepared branch directly into the soil by bending the exposed branch into the ground without cutting it from the main plant and burying it with soil.