Hydrangeas are one of the most loved flowers in the world, with impressive blooms in a vast range of colours. They’re also easy to grow, especially if you already have some in your garden, because you can use hydrangea cuttings to propagate more.
As well as saving money, this method means you’ll get a new hydrangea that’s identical to the mother plant. Here’s our step-by-step guide for growing hydrangeas from cuttings.
Best time for hydrangea cuttings
The best time to take hydrangea cuttings in Australia is during late spring to early summer — typically October to December, depending on your region.
How to grow hydrangeas from cuttings
Materials for propagating
- Rooting hormone powder or gel
- Quality propagating mix
- Clean bypass secateurs
- Clean plastic pots
Step 1: Deadhead flowers
Start with a fresh green stem, taken in spring or early summer. If you haven’t done so already, deadhead the flowers down to where you get living stems.
Step 2: Prepare hydrangea cuttings
Cut healthy pieces of stem about 15–20cm long, positioning the top cut above a pair of emerging leaves, close to the node, and the bottom cut also just above a node.
Step 3: Trim mature leaves
If the lower leaves are mature, remove all but the top two and cut them in half to reduce water loss as roots begin to form.
Step 4: Use a rooting hormone
Dip the cuttings into rooting hormone gel or powder, then insert them into pots filled with propagating mix, burying about a third to a half of the cuttings.
Step 5: Monitor your cutting’s growth
Water well and put pots in a protected spot, out of direct sunlight. Keep your cuttings moist but not soggy.
Step 6: Transplant your hydrangea cutting
Roots should emerge and be strong enough for transplanting to your garden or another pot in about a month.
Can you root hydrangea cuttings in water?
Yes, you can root hydrangea cuttings in water — and it’s a popular method for beginner gardeners because it’s simple and satisfying to watch the roots grow. However, it’s not always the most reliable method in the long term.
How to root hydrangea cuttings in water
Follow steps 1, 2 and 3 above. Skip the rooting hormone and place your cutting in a jar of clean water. Keep the jar in a spot with indirect sunlight and monitor it. Change the water every few days to avoid rot. Roots should start to form within 1 to 3 weeks. Once roots reach 3-5 cm in length, you can transplant them into a pot of potting mix.
Frequently asked questions
Softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer root the quickest — often within 2–4 weeks, especially with rooting hormone.
Most cuttings develop roots in 2–6 weeks, depending on temperature and moisture.
Yes, hydrangeas can root in water, though soil generally produces stronger, more reliable roots.
Late spring to early summer (October–December) is ideal for softwood cuttings.
Most hydrangea varieties, including mophead, lacecap, oakleaf and panicle, can be propagated successfully from cuttings.
