Starting a Hibiscus from a Cutting

Question:

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Barbara from Philadelphia, PA

Answer:

Not only is it possible, but some varieties actually root quite easily.

• Start with woody cuttings that are about the size of a pencil in both length and diameter.
• Remove all but one or two of the leaves at the top - these leaves will help with the transpiration process as the roots develop.
• At the bottom of the cutting either scrape away some of the bark or simply make a small slanted cut through a leaf node (eye). This will make it easier for developing roots to emerge.
• When taking your cutting from the mother plant, it is a good idea to cut it at an angle above a leaf node that is facing out so that when new growth resumes, it does so in an outwardly direction.
• Hibiscus cuttings seem to root better when crowded together in a pot, so I encourage you to find a gallon - sized pot and try rooting several at one time. This will also increase your chances for success.
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• Use a lightweight mixture of moist perlite and sand as your medium.
• Before inserting your cuttings into the pot, use a pencil to 'pre - drill" holes. Then dip the bottom of each cutting in some rooting hormone and insert them into the holes.
• Optimum temperatures for rooting are 60 - 70ºF. Hibiscus like a high degree of humidity so either mist the cuttings regularly or cover the pots with plastic bags. Just be sure not to bake them in the sun.
• Keep the pot of cuttings moist and in partial/filtered sun for about 6 - 8 weeks.
• Once the roots have developed, remove the cuttings carefully and repot in single pots.

Good luck!

Ellen

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

December 5, 20190 found this helpful

Use Miracle Gro potting soil for new plants

Ana
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts

December 5, 20190 found this helpful

Miracle-Gro -water soluble Bloom Booster flower food is great for this!

Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

December 5, 20190 found this helpful

Are you cutting them at the node to root? It's been a while since I have done this, but that was always the trick. I rarely used fertilizer. The few times I did, I used fish emulsion.

poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

December 6, 20190 found this helpful

The best fertilizer for any plants is the one you make yourself out of all your old cutting when you cook. Add your potato skins, carrot skins, tomatoes, lettuce or whatever fruits you have to a blender.

Robyn

April 28, 20190 found this helpful

Hi,

The best way to root a hibiscus plant is to take a cutting in the middle of the summer, but not late in the summer, when the branches are too hard to cut.

The cutting should be cut with a diagonal cut, since this helps the cutting to grow.

Do not use dirty pruning shears.

All leaves but the top two or three should be taken off of the cutting.

Dip the stem in honey and place in about 3 inches of water, that has one drop of peroxide in it. Change the water about once a week, and make sure the one drop of peroxide is added. These cuttings won't root in softened water. So if you have softened water, buy water in bottles to root the cutting in.

In 4 weeks there should be roots, beginning to grow, on the cutting. Don't try to transplant them while the roots are still white in color. Wait until they turn tan to plant them.

When you plant them in the ground, put some peat moss and sand, mixed together, into the dirt they are going to be planted in.

Here is a link that tells a lot of good information on propagating this type of plant:

www.wikihow.com/Propagate-Hibiscus

Have a blessed day!

---Robyn

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

April 29, 20190 found this helpful

I would dip it in rooting hormone and then plant it.