Coleus Cuttings: Are they the Easiest Cuttings You'll Ever Root?
>> Monday, August 4, 2008
If coleus (Solenostemon) is not the easiest plant cutting to root, then it must be ranked at the top of the plant propagator's list right next to the willows. It's such a great foliage plant why not make more?
The procedure is simple, just take a cutting with two leaves and some stem (about 2 inches is good), pinch the terminal growth and put it in water. Now here's the really important part, the most critical part, you have to wait for roots to grow. That's it! No rooting hormone is needed. You could get away with sticking the stem in moist potting soil and skip the water treatment altogether but if you're like me, you will want to see the roots before you plant them!
Before too long, maybe a week you'll have roots that look like this, ready for planting. Don't wait too long to plant them since they will lose their vigor. Notice that the roots are coming from the stem rather than the node.
After rooting you can plant them in pots or out in the garden. Just make sure that you keep them moist until they get established. Propagating coleus through stem cuttings is a great way to save these extremely tender perennials over the winter. Just take a few cuttings of your favorite coleus plants from your garden and bring them inside. When they root pot them up and put them where they can get adequate light inside your house. As they grow feel free to take more cuttings and add to your coleus collection. Don't forget to pinch the terminal growth (the little sips at the end of the stems where the new leaves grow from) periodically to keep your coleus from getting too leggy. When spring comes you will have plenty of coleus for your garden.
If you're looking for something easy to get started in propagating give coleus a try!
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11 Comments:
Great advice! I've done very little with cuttings, but this is one I have tried. You're absolutely right, they are very easy. Great for beginners.
They are definitely easy! Love these little plants.
They are easy. This year I rooted one without even intending to. A piece broke off of one I was planting and since the foliage is so pretty I thought, let me just put this in some water and enjoy it before it dies. Well, it never died, it grew roots - how great is that!
Wish I could do this but with cats in the house, a no go for me. :(
I do this will philodendron. I can put them up high out of kitties reach as they dont require too much sun....
Isn't it nice when Mother Nature sends us a no-brainer every once in a while?
Hi Dave, you are so right about these being so easy. I don't even put them in water, just stick them in the ground when shaping the plant or if a piece breaks off. They break very easily. Skeeter should try that outside, no need to worry about the kitties then.
I knew about the easy rooting in water but that they would root in the ground is a new one on me.
I'm rooting some for my neighbor. I give him plants all the time. I like sharing. But do need to root more for myself. Next project real soon.
They are so colorful, I really like them.
PG,
You can't go wrong with a coleus cutting!
Tina,
I like them too, I wish they were cold hardy here, but then they wouldn't be coleus.
Cindy,
Don't you just love those bonus plants!
Skeeter,
Listen to Frances! You could do these outside just as easily as inside.
Sheila,
No brainers sure are nice, I could use the help sometimes! ;)
Frances,
Good advice!
Gail,
I'd rather start them in water first just so I can monitor the rooting process, but it should work fine either way.
Lola,
Gardeners are always generous! You had better go make some for yourself! I'll take a look at that plant you sent me although right off the bat I don't know, but I do have several tree ID books that may help.
thank you for this tip Dave and thank you too for visiting my site. I have several varieties of coleus plant and we call them "mayana" too.
Your welcome Arlene! It's neat to go visit foreign bloggers to see what they have in their gardens. I didn't know there was another name for coleus, thanks for the info!
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