Why Plant Cuttings Make Perfect Gifts
Plant cuttings are the gift that keeps giving: They're plastic-free and they require less transportation costs than store-bought houseplants. Not to mention, cuttings are much more affordable than purchasing brand new plants from the store!
But there are even more reasons why I love giving and receiving plant cuttings as gifts.
Propagating plants from cuttings allows you to keep some of your favorite and most meaningful plants alive and share plants among loved ones—just like family heirlooms. I've received plant cuttings from both my mother's and my grandmother's houseplants, and I think of my family every time I tend the plants that grew from those cuttings.
Beyond that, gifting cuttings can also be a simple way to help a plant lover jumpstart their own houseplant collection and, when packaged up with a pretty pot and bow, gifted cuttings can look quite appealing and thoughtful.
How to Take and Gift Healthy Cuttings
If you want plant cuttings to grow into healthy houseplants that live for years, the first step is to select the right plants and cuttings for propagating.
I usually get the best results from propagating tender-stemmed houseplants and vines—pothos, philodendrons, inch plants, prayer plants, and the like. Succulents, cacti, and woody-stemmed plants are doable, but they require more patience and take longer to root.
Here are some other considerations when taking a cutting from your own plant to gift to a loved one.
To Root or Not to Root?
Before taking cuttings for gifting, you'll need to decide if you want to root the cuttings in soil or water, or gift the unrooted cuttings just as they are. I personally like to root cuttings before I give them away, but you can give a collection of unrooted cuttings in a vase of water and let the gift recipient root their own cuttings later on.
Time It Right
Rooting cuttings takes a bit of time, so you'll need to take cuttings earlier if you intend to root them before gifting. Fast-growing vines like pothos may root in just a few weeks, but cacti, succulents, and some woody-stemmed cuttings can take months to form roots.
Make the Cut
Different houseplants need to be propagated differently, so it's wise to do a bit of research before you start. Most tender-stemmed plants can be propagated by taking a 2 to 4-inch cutting from a healthy growing stem at a leaf node, but some succulents and cacti grow better if you propagate them via offsets and allow the cuttings to callus before potting.
Prep the Cuttings
Once you've taken your cuttings, you can pot them up in potting mix or place them in water. Tender-stemmed cuttings usually root well in soil or water, but most woody cuttings root best in soil with the addition of rooting hormone.
Select Your Packaging
A few rooted cuttings planted in a small pot with a bow can make a delightful gift, but you can also present unrooted cuttings in a pretty vase or a collection of glass vials, beakers, or upcycled containers. Keep the cuttings warm and in bright indirect light until you give them away. Consider attaching care instructions so the gift recipient knows exactly how to help the cuttings mature into the healthiest plants.