Learn the top 8 mistakes gardeners make during propagation and how to prevent them. Practical tips from 10 years of gardening experience to help your cuttings grow strong.
I am Ashley Scott, and I have been gardening for 10 years. I have made my share of propagation mistakes, and I have learned from them. Propagation saves me money, gives me more plants, and is one of the most satisfying parts of gardening. But I know how frustrating it is when a cutting fails.
Here are the propagation mistakes I try to avoid every time I grow from cuttings.
1. Using Dirty Tools During Propagation
When I started out, I ruined an entire tray of basil cuttings because I used unclean scissors. Dirty tools spread disease fast. Now I wipe my pruners and knives with rubbing alcohol before I use them.
If you want to know how I keep tools clean during wet months, see my Rainy Season Gardening Techniques.
2. Taking Cuttings From Weak Plants
I once tried to root cuttings from a tomato plant that had yellowing leaves. None survived. A weak parent plant gives weak cuttings. Now I choose only strong, pest-free plants.
The University of Florida Extension guide on propagation explains why plant health is so important.
3. Wrong Season or Timing for Propagation
I learned the hard way that each plant has a season for propagation. I tried rooting hydrangea in winter, and nothing happened. Now I check the best time for each plant.
I often refer to the Missouri Botanical Garden plant care calendar before I start.
4. Skipping Rooting Hormone
When I skipped rooting hormone, my cuttings took twice as long to root. Rooting hormone speeds up root growth and increases success. I keep both powder and gel types on hand.
The University of Minnesota Extension explains how rooting hormone works.
5. Overwatering or Underwatering Cuttings
In my early days, I drowned my mint cuttings by keeping them soaked. Another time, I let lavender cuttings dry out. Now I keep the soil moist, not soggy, and check daily.
I follow moisture advice from the Royal Horticultural Society watering guide.
6. Poor Lighting for Propagation
Once I placed my cuttings in full midday sun, and they wilted in hours. I now keep them in bright, indirect light. If I grow indoors, I use a small LED grow light.
I explain my lighting setup in my Indoor Herb Gardening Guide.
7. Ignoring Humidity Needs
I used to forget about humidity. My coleus cuttings dried out until I started using a clear cover to trap moisture. I never let leaves touch the cover to avoid rot.
8. Planting in the Wrong Medium
I once tried to root cuttings in heavy garden soil, and they rotted. Now I use a light mix of peat, perlite, and coarse sand. It drains well and keeps roots healthy.
For more on soil improvement, see my tips on How to Improve Soil Drainage.
My Propagation Success Routine
- I clean all tools before starting.
- I only take cuttings from healthy plants.
- I check the plant’s ideal season.
- I balance water, light, and humidity.
- I use the right rooting medium.
FAQ – Propagation Mistakes
Q1: Do all plants need rooting hormone? No. Many plants root without it, but I see better results when I use it.
Q2: Can I propagate in water? Yes. Some plants root well in water, but I find they adjust to soil slower.
Q3: How do I know if a cutting has rooted? I gently tug the stem. If I feel resistance, roots have started forming.