THE best time to take hydrangea cuttings is the end of August – here’s a step-by-step guide to getting more free plants.
Across the UK, green-fingered gardeners say this hack has a success rate of around 99 per cent.
Start your hydrangea cuttings now to give them the best chance of developing strong roots before winter[/caption]
All you need is a healthy hydrangea, a jar of water, some potting soil and a bit of patience.
Because the first frost usually arrives at the end of October, young plants need time to settle before the cold kicks in.
By starting now, you’re giving your cuttings the best chance to establish strong roots before winter.
Step 1: Pick the right time of day
Take your cuttings early in the morning – around 6.30am is ideal.
That’s when stems are fully hydrated and nice and firm.
Step 2: Choose your cutting
Select a healthy 8–12 inch cutting (about 10 inches is ideal) with only leaves and no flowers or buds, cut just below a node.
Cut just below a leaf node.
Step 3: Trim the leaves
Remove most of the lower leaves and keep just four at the top.
This way, the cutting focuses its energy on root growth rather than keeping big leaves alive.
Step 4: Root in water
Pop the 8–12 inch stem in a jar of water, keep the water topped up, and replace it regularly with fresh water to prevent mould.
Within three to four weeks, you should start to see roots forming.
Step 5: Pot it up
Once roots appear, fill a small pot with moist soil.
Make a hole, place the cutting inside, cover with soil and water gently.
The roots will spread through the soil and create a strong young plant.
Step 6: Grow indoors
Keep the potted cutting on a bright windowsill for around six weeks.
This gives it time to strengthen before going outside.
Step 7: Harden off and plant out
When the heat of summer has eased, move your pot outside for about a week to harden it off.
After that, plant it in the garden.
With roughly eight weeks before the first frost, the young hydrangea will have time to bed in.
Other essential tips for healthy hydrangeas
Soil
- Prefer moist, organic-rich, well-drained soil.
- Avoid heavy clay (too wet → root rot) or sandy soil (too dry → roots dry out).
- Improve poor soil with compost, shredded leaves, or coffee grounds.
Water
- Newly planted hydrangeas: water every 1–2 days (more during heatwaves or drought).
- Best time: morning, so leaves and roots dry before night.
- Once established: water when the top 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) of soil feels dry.
Fertilizer
- Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or 12-4-8).
- Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring and early autumn.
- Spread around the drip line (edge of canopy), not at the base, and cover lightly with soil.
Temperature & Winter Care
- Grow well in UK hardiness zones
- Ideal range: 15–21°C.
- Can tolerate winter lows down to -40°C, depending on variety.
- Don’t remove faded flowers before winter—they provide natural protection for the new growth buds from frost damage.