I’ve written countless articles on the topic of propagation, especially on propagation from cuttings. It’s just something that’s very near and dear to me since my grandma and I used to propagate her houseplants from cuttings all the time when I was little.
In today’s article, allow me to walk you through a special list of plants you can propagate from cuttings, particularly during the frowned-upon month of August.
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Yes, You Can Propagate In August (& You Should!)
So, is there something special about propagating plants in August? Well…yes…and no…
Late summer usually kicks in around August, and that’s when most plants have semi-ripe stems. This is the ideal time to take cuttings before the plants mature and harden up, making it harder to take cuttings that you can work with easily.
In most cases, you want the stem base to stay woody while the tips remain relatively soft.
And just in case you’re tempted to rip something out, don’t pull these flowers yet, they’re just getting started (or haven’t finished bloom yet).
Plants To Propagate In August
1: Lavender
This popular perennial is known for its extremely fragrant nature. While many might tell you that it’s incorrect to propagate lavender in late summer, it’s in fact totally fine to do so and can be super beneficial for adding depth and a rich, calming scent to your garden space.
Take non-flowering semi-ripe stems about 4–6 inches long, cutting just below a leaf node.
Not sure how to do it? Here’s exactly how to propagate lavender from cuttings.
2: Boxwood
To propagate boxwood plants, you want to take semi-ripe cuttings and allow them to root from mid-summer all the way till fall. To achieve early rooting, use grit-filled compost. Patience is key here as rooting can take up to 3-4 weeks!
3: Butterfly Bush
When you’re looking to take butterfly bush cuttings to propagate the shrub, take branch tips from summer growth. While rooting, keep the cuttings indoors or in a shaded area, but make sure they’re given enough warmth to accommodate optimal growth.
4: Holly (Ilex)
In the case of hollies, August is the ideal time to take cuttings from this perennial shrub. However, you must keep them in a warm and humid environment to support strong root formation.
Cut semi-ripe stems about 6 inches long from this year’s new growth. Be patient with this one, hollies can take a couple of months to root, and not all species are equally cooperative.
If you’re just getting started, these houseplants are ridiculously easy to propagate.
5: Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas also offer puffy, round blooms that are large enough to add great visual depth and attractiveness to your garden. You can propagate these perennials from cuttings in August and grow them really fast.
Take 4–6 inch stem tips just below a node, ideally from non-flowering shoots. Water the cuttings consistently, they need lots of water and constantly moist soil.
Need a full walkthrough? Here’s our step-by-step guide to propagating hydrangeas.
6: Honeysuckle
For honeysuckles, you want to take lateral non-flowering shoots and bury them in potting mix to kickstart rooting. Avoid direct sun exposure at all costs during the rooting period!
7: Sage
While sage is a very popular cooking herb, not many people know that it has pest and insect deterring qualities in the garden as well.
The fragrant perennial herb can absolutely be propagated in August from healthy stem cuttings in order to expand the patch. Snip 4-inch tip cuttings from non-flowering stems, ideally semi-soft.
8: Rosemary
For this fragrant herb, you want to take cuttings in late summer to keep them from overwintering. Use 3–4 inch stem tips from semi-woody branches.
And, if you didn’t already know, here’s a quick tip: rosemary roots much faster in sandy compost, so use it to your advantage.
For a complete guide, check out how to propagate rosemary step-by-step.
9: Spirea
To propagate spireas from cuttings, use side shoots that have started to harden up. But, you can’t just plant these in any potting mix you want! Spireas need a soil mix that not only allows for sufficient free drainage but also has high moisture retention capabilities.
While Passionflower is best propagated through layering rather than cuttings, August is a great time to start that process. Just bury a flexible stem now and detach it next spring for a rooted new plant.
It’s basically the same process as cutting, you just don’t cut it from the main plant right away!
10: Geranium (Pelargonium)
August is the ideal time to propagate geraniums from cuttings, as the late summer warmth allows for quicker rooting results. The perennial will, however, go dormant in the wintertime.
Snip 3–5 inch non-flowering stems just below a node.
11: Penstemon
By August, most penstemon varieties will have their bases hardened up. Collect cuttings and plant them in fertile potting mix. Take semi-ripe side shoots just below a leaf node, around 4 inches long
Also, they will need frost protection through the upcoming winter season. Otherwise your cuttings won’t survive.
Also thinking about dividing your perennials this month? Here are 8 reliable ones to divide in August.
