Propagation is the process of growing new plants from seeds, cuttings, roots, or other plant parts. For Texas native plants, learning the right propagation methods is key to successful home gardening, restoration projects, and habitat preservation. The native plant database contains propagation information for many plants, including multiple propagation methods for some species. Below are explanations of terms used in the propagation section of the Plant Database.
Use Appropriate Propagation Material
The material is the part of the plant you’ll use to grow a new one. Select a method based on what’s available and what works best for your target species as specified in the native plant database:
- Budding – Graft a single bud onto another plant to create a clone of the original.
- Bulb – Plant underground bulbs. Many Texas natives like onions and lilies grow this way.
- Clump Division – Dig up mature plants and separate them into clumps, making sure each piece has roots.
- Corm – Use the swollen underground stems of plants, planting them just below the soil surface.
- Cutting – Snip a piece of stem, root, or leaf, and root it in moist soil or another growing medium.
- Hardwood – Take woody stem cuttings during dormancy in late fall or winter and plant them to root over time.
- Layering – Bend a low branch to the ground, cover it with soil, and let it root while still attached to the parent plant.
- Offshoots – Gently separate small shoots from the base of the plant and replant them.
- Rhizome – Cut a section of underground stem and plant it horizontally just beneath the soil.
- Root – Use root pieces from an existing plant to start new growth.
- Rosette – Remove and replant a rosette of leaves with its base intact.
- Seed – Sow seeds directly into the soil or start them in trays for transplanting later.
- Seedling – Transplant young plants after they’ve germinated and developed a few true leaves.
- Semi-hardwood – Take partially mature cuttings in late summer and root them in a moist medium.
- Softwood – Collect tender, new growth in spring and root immediately under high humidity.
- Spores – Collect and sow spores from ferns and mosses on moist substrates.
- Stem – Use any part of the stem to grow a new plant, often in a propagation tray or pot.
- Stolon – Clip and replant runners that already have small roots forming at their nodes.
- Suckers – Dig up and transplant shoots that arise from the plant’s root system.
- Tuber – Plant thickened underground stems or roots like potatoes or dayflower tubers.
Prepare Your Material with the Right Treatment
Before planting, you may need to treat the propagation material to boost your success rate:
- No Treatment – Some materials (like fresh cuttings or divisions) may not need any special preparation.
- Cutting – Use clean, sharp tools to take cuttings. Trim leaves or stems as needed to reduce moisture loss.
- Division – Use a spade or your hands to divide plant clumps, keeping healthy roots intact.
- Layering – Bend a low branch to the ground and bury part of it with soil while it’s still attached. Roots will form at the buried section before you separate it from the parent plant.
- Root – Trim healthy roots from a mature plant and plant them horizontally or vertically depending on species.
- Scarification – Nick or scratch hard-coated seeds using sandpaper, a knife, or soak them in hot water to speed up germination.
- Stratification – Place seeds in a moist, cold environment (like your fridge) for several weeks to mimic winter conditions and trigger germination.
- Transplant – Carefully move seedlings or divisions to their final growing location once they’re established.
Propagation Notes Provided in the Database
Many native plant entries include additional propagation details to help you understand how that species has been successfully propagated. These fields are included in the database for reference:
- Material – Describes which part of the plant to propagate (e.g. seed, stem, root, etc.).
- Treatment – Indicates how to treat the plant material (e.g. cut, division, scarification).
- Method – This field describes how the plant can be propagated in practice. It may include notes like “sow in flats with sand,” “root softwood cuttings in perlite,” or “divide in early fall.” These notes can offer helpful insight if you’re attempting similar methods.
- Collection – This indicates where and when propagation material (such as seeds or cuttings) can be collected. Examples include “collect from prairie in June” or “harvest pods after first frost.” This context helps clarify seasonal timing or habitat conditions.
- References – This field lists resources that support or document the propagation method. This may include books, research articles, websites like Wildflower.org, or notes from experienced native plant growers.
