Here in the northern Great Lakes region, only the heartiest plants can make it through the winter. Some plants that could be perennial need to be brought inside over winter and coddled, or you can resign yourself to buying them again next year.
Last fall we got ambitious and dug up the huge coleus from our back garden and brought it in for the winter. Honestly, its large size in a smallish house meant it was definitely taking up some real estate. I kept it alive and this spring was able to make some more coleus from my original plant.
I’m not overly skilled in the garden area — that is my husband’s hobby. I’m very proud that I did this on my own.
I took a small snippet from my plant and left a stem of a few inches.
Then I took away all but two of the leaves. The plant can’t sustain photosynthesis for so many leaves and grow roots at the same time.
I let some tap water sit out overnight to take the chlorine out. Then I added water to a shot glass (jelly jar for bigger leaves). The tape kept the leaves from floating out of the glass.
Let the stems sit in the water for 7-10 days. Eventually you will see roots growing! It’s magical. Keep an eye on the water because it does get taken up by the plant and evaporates as well.
Roots! isn’t that the best? My baby coleus plants are ready for the garden or a flowerpot. I’ll be sure to give you an update on how my babies are doing in the garden in the weeks to come.
Have you tried plant propagation for indoor or outdoor plants? I wish I had started earlier and then I could have donated some plants to our church’s plant sale.
This post is shared at A Delightsome Life
