How to Plant Gardenias From Cuttings

Overview

Gardenias are known for their fast growth and easy care as well as their beautiful flowers. They are also nearly as easy to propagate from cuttings as they are to care for. Growing from cuttings is an inexpensive way to add more gardenias to your garden, preserve a favorite plant, create gifts for families and friends, and share your gardenias with neighbors. Cuttings also take little space or work to grow, making them an ideal way to reproduce your gardenia plants.

Step 1

Mix together peat moss and perlite in equal amounts. Clean sand may be substituted for the perlite.

Step 2

Fill a planting pot about two-thirds full with the peat moss and perlite mixture.

Step 3

Gently push the gardenia cutting into the soil, with the bud side up, until nearly half of the cutting is buried.

Step 4

Water the cutting thoroughly.

Step 5

Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag, making sure there is some space for air movement around the cutting.

Step 6

Place the cutting in a warm place that receives indirect sunlight.

Step 7

Check the moisture level of the soil every two to three days to make sure it is still wet. Add water as necessary.

Step 8

Mist the cutting with a light spray of water while checking the soil.

Step 9

Gently push away a small amount of soil to check for roots after the cutting has been in the soil for four to six weeks. If no roots are present, leave the plant covered and continue watering and misting regularly until roots appear. If roots are present, remove the cover and begin the process of hardening the new gardenia for outdoor planting.