For some reason, I regularly “forget” that I can propagate more than a few plants from cuttings in the summer. Then July arrives and I have to look up the plant list. It’s especially strange since I grow (and love!) most of the plants that are prime candidates for rooting from cuttings in July.
What are the best bets in July if you want root plants from cuttings? It’s the best time to take soft and half-root cuttings – cuttings from this year’s growth – of some of my very favorite plants, including herbs, shrubs, climbers and perennials. Grab your favorite set of pruning shears (our editors especially love the affordable and durable ones Fiskars bypass pruners from Amazon) and get to work before July is over.
Ready, set, let’s spread!
Take cuttings from these 6 plants in July
Taking summer cuttings is especially easy because you don’t have to dig around to find a good branch to cut. You simply remove the top few inches of new growth from the plants. Yes, you will need to cut off the bottom few leaves of each cutting, but that’s about it. Then simply push the cut end of each into a small pot of moist potting soil.
1. Rosemary
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Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) can be cultivated all year round USDA hardiness zones 8-11but it can be grown indoors during the colder months. This aromatic herb is always a popular addition to herb gardens, given its culinary use and its stunning pollinator-attracting blue flowers. So it’s no surprise that people might want to start a few extra plants.
Taking cuttings in multiply rosemary it’s easy. Just look for flexible, green tips of the stems and cut cuttings about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. Remove the leaves from the bottom half, then carefully remove the outer layer of tissue in the bottom inch (2.5 cm) with a sharp garden knife. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, which can be found on Amazonand pour into a small pot filled with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Expect roots within a month.
2. Hydrangeas
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Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are the workhorses of my flower garden, producing large, rounded bushes full of large, bright flower heads in summer. Double or triple your pleasure propagating your favorite hydrangeas in July. They thrive in USDA zones 3-9.
Whatever variety of hydrangea you grow (I grow smooth, panicleand mophead), you can take cuttings in July. Cut off healthy, flexible, non-flowering shoots that grew this year. Make the cuttings 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long, then remove the lower leaves. Many recommend cutting the remaining leaves in half before ‘planting’ the cuttings into pots filled with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. New roots should form in a few weeks.
3. Lavender
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With its glorious fragrance, silvery green foliage and purple flowers, lavender (Washing her spp.) has many admirers. This versatile herb can be found in your herb garden or flower beds, but whether or not you use lavender for cooking, you can root cuttings and propagate new lavender plants in July. Summer is a good time to propagate lavender while it is actively growing.
Take cuttings from healthy stems that grew this year. Pick non-flowering stems that have grown this year and cut 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) cuttings. Remove the lower leaves, dip the bottom in rooting hormone, and place the cuttings in pots filled with well-drained soil or compost. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Expect roots in a month.
4. Fuchsia
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Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) are classic, colorful and reliable flowering plants and this has made them popular for centuries. With bold bell-shaped flowers in pink, purple, red and white, fuchsias put on a show in summer.
Do you have a fuchsia? You’ll definitely want some more. Fortunately, Fuchsias are among the easiest plants to grow from cuttings and summer is the perfect time for action. Take 6-inch (15 cm) cuttings from new growth that is healthy and full of leaves. Remove all leaves from each cut except the top two. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone, then stick them into pots filled with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. You should see roots appear in a month.
5. Annual Geraniums
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Now, annual geraniums (Geranium spp.) are not truly annuals. They are hardy in USDA zones 9-12 (which includes my home in San Francisco), but are grown in colder zones as annuals. Mine offers beautiful red flowers all summer and fall. They are also plants that tend to spread, but you can also “make” new plants taking and rooting geranium cuttings in July.
Take firm, green, flowerless shoots about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. Remove the leaves on the bottom half and push the cut ends into well-draining potting soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Look for roots in 3-4 weeks.
6. Sage
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Was there ever a plant that grows more happily than sage (Salvia spp.) These perennials shoot up so easily into long-lasting flower spikes and spread so happily that they always seem to me to be singing. They also have a lovely scent and bright petals, but are tough as nails, drought resistant and low maintenance.
Salvias tend to spread, but if you want more plants to offer the neighbors, July is the time take and root cuttings from your sage plants. These guys are so eager to grow that potting soil isn’t necessary. Take 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems, cut off the lower leaves, then immerse the cuttings in water. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Roots appear in about four weeks.
