20 native plants you can grow from cuttings

This plant list includes native plant species from the southern Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States that can be propagated by cuttings.

For a detailed tutorial, see How to Fell Coniferous Trees.

Grow cuttings of native plants

There are several ways to add native plants to your garden (seeds, cuttings, divisions, transplants), and each method has its benefits.

This list features species that can be rooted from cuttings.

The primary source for this list is the book The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Regional by Rick Gray and Sean Booth.

The process of growing from cuttings is the same for both native and exotic plants.

Every gardener has their own preferences, but here’s a general overview:

Place part of the plant’s stem in a moist growing medium to encourage new root growth.

Once the roots have formed, you can transplant the new plant into your garden.

If you would like to obtain a copy of the plant list or get tips for taking cuttings, please see the Resources section.

List of native plants for cuttings

This list includes plants believed to be native to various regions of the southern Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States, as best determined by researchers at this time.

The whole subject of what native plants are is complex and interesting, so I encourage you to dive into the research and learn more.

Ultimately, what matters is how the plants we choose to grow in our gardens today support local ecosystems and the codependent relationships between plants and animals.

We have also listed the butterflies and moths that depend on these plants to nourish their larvae. It’s very exciting to grow these plants and witness their benefits.

Before choosing plants for your garden, research local ecological and conservation resources to ensure they are suitable for your growing conditions and are not considered too aggressive or invasive. Please.

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Native plants grown from cuttings

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How to root cuttings

It is best to take cuttings when the plant is actively growing, but has not yet budded or flowered. Some cuttings will root at other times, but this is the most reliable time. Select a stem with a set of at least three leaves and cut it below the lowest leaf (remove it from a living plant). Depending on the plant, the stem you cut can be 3 to 8 inches long. Remove the bottom set of leaves. This is where new roots will form. This means that this part of the stem should be placed below the surface of the medium. If the stems are young and tender, they can be rooted directly in a moist potting mix or a combination of moist vermiculite and sand in a container with drainage holes. Later in the growing season, harder stems can benefit from rooting hormones. Place it in a bright place, but avoid direct sunlight and heat. This could be near a window in your home or in a sheltered location outdoors. You don’t want your cuttings to be ruined by rain or wind. Please keep giving water.

Depending on the plant, it may take weeks or months for roots to emerge. How do I know? Maybe you’ll see it. Alternatively, pull gently on the stem and feel it anchored in the growing medium by new roots. You may also notice new stems and leaves growing at the top.

Once the roots are well established (1 inch or more is a good idea), you can transplant your new plant into the garden, either in the ground or in a pot.

Choose a location that meets your sun, soil, and water needs.

More detailed tutorial

Each of these tutorials shows the same basic process.

environmentally beneficial gardening books

I recommend these books because gardeners will get excited about ecological gardening and the amazing relationships between plants and animals. Our future is in our hands!

1 Pollinator Victory Garden | Kim Eyerman | Win the fight against pollinator decline with ecological gardening. Attracts and supports bees, beetles, butterflies, bats, and other pollinators

2 Rust Spotted Bumble Bee Garden: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators: Ontario and the Great Lakes Edition | Lorraine Johnson, Sheila Colla | Gardeners can create habitat in gardens, community spaces, balconies, boulevards and everywhere else Contains all the information you need to create a policy and take action to support and protect pollinators.

3 A Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region | Rick Gray and Sean Booth | 150 Species of Garden-Friendly Native Plants All the Essential Information for Growing Garden-Friendly Native Plants in a Single, At-A-Glass Guide I have summarized it in

4 Bringing Nature Home: How to Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants | Doug Tallamy

5 garden allies: Insects, birds, and other animals that will make your garden beautiful and thriving | Frédéric Lavoiperre

6 The Humane Gardener: Cultivating a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife (How to Create a Sustainable and Ethical Garden That Promotes Native Wildlife, Plants, and Biodiversity) | Nancy Lawson

Grow native plants from seeds

~Melissa Empress of Dirt ♛