One of the most familiar flowering vines for home gardeners is the clematis. These climbing plants are justifiably popular because they are readily available, prolific bloomers, tolerant of various growing conditions, and quite hardy. Luckily, it’s also very easy to propagate clematis by cutting, so you can multiply your plants cheaply.
While this vine can be propagated from seed, the offspring produced will be unlikely to look like the parent plant. Many hybrids do not breed true, and cross-pollination creates new variations. If you have a clematis vine and want to propagate it, growing new plants from cuttings is a simple and reliable method.
Clematis is a large group of plants with many beautiful cultivars. There are over 350 species, with many hybrids and cultivars. Depending on the variety, showy flowers bloom in many colors from spring through fall.
These vines climb freely on a trellis, fence, wall, arbor, or other support structure. Most varieties are deciduous and lose their leaves each fall, but a few species are evergreen, staying green throughout the winter. However, these vigorous vines can also be invasive in some regions, such as the Pacific Northwest.
Clematis plants are members of the Buttercup family. This is a widespread genus with species native to North America, Asia, and Europe. As it has gained popularity as a perennial garden plant, this vine is primarily used and appreciated for its annual showy flower display. As an ornamental vine, it is very worthy of consideration in a home landscape, flower garden, or as a vining accent plant.
Propagating clematis from cuttings is an easy and rewarding way to get more of these gorgeous vines growing in your garden. While many gardeners root clematis cuttings directly in soil, it is also possible to root them in water. Propagating in water allows you to closely monitor the rooting process and can work well, especially if you have a high failure rate with conventional soil propagation.
What You’ll Need
- A healthy clematis vine that is at least 2 years old
- Sharp, clean pruners or scissors
- Clear jar or vase
- Fresh water
- Small stones or marbles (optional)
When to Take Cuttings
The best time to take clematis cuttings for water propagation is in early summer when the vines are actively growing. Look for healthy stems that are not flowering and show no signs of damage or disease. Take cuttings in the morning when the plant is fully turgid.
Choosing the Cuttings
- Select stems that are slightly hardened, not the very soft new growth.
- Look for stems with healthy leaves in pairs along the stem.
- Cut stems to 4-6 inches long.
- Remove any flowers or flower buds.
- Make a straight cut just below a leaf node using clean, sharp pruners.
Rooting in Water
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Fill your jar with room temperature water, Add a few small stones if you want to help anchor the cuttings,
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Remove any leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting to reduce rotting, You can leave 1-2 sets of leaves on the top
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Optional: Dip the bare end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Tap off excess powder.
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Place the prepared cuttings in the jar, making sure the bare stem ends stay submerged in water.
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Put the jar in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Indirect light will encourage rooting.
Caring for Cuttings
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Check water level daily and top off with fresh room temperature water as needed.
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Change the water completely every 4-5 days to prevent rotting.
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Look for new white roots emerging after 2-3 weeks. Some cuttings may take longer.
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Monitor for leaf yellowing or stem rot and remove any cuttings that decline. Healthy cuttings will continue forming roots over the next few weeks.
Potting Up Rooted Cuttings
Once the cuttings have a network of white roots about 1-2 inches long, they are ready to be potted up.
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Fill small pots with moist potting mix.
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Carefully remove cuttings from the water and tease roots apart if root bound.
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Plant in pots, firming the mix gently around the roots.
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Water well and keep in a sheltered spot out of direct sun for a few days.
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Gradually introduce to brighter light over 2-3 weeks.
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Grow on indoors or outdoors until well established.
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Transplant into the garden in late summer or the following spring.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Rotting stems: Change water more frequently. Reduce water depth so fewer leaves are submerged. Remove any damaged leaves. Discard any cuttings with severe rot.
Yellowing leaves: This can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or insufficient light. Adjust conditions and remove any deteriorating cuttings.
No root growth: Rooting time can vary. Some cuttings may take 4-8 weeks for roots to emerge. Discard any cuttings that decline. Take more cuttings in case of failure.
Small roots but no new growth: If roots form but leaves and stems remain small and weak, the cuttings may be rooting but struggling to establish. Try potting them up earlier into soil.
Final Tips for Success
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Propagating clematis in water does work but can be slower and less reliable than conventional soil propagation. Start more cuttings than you need.
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Change the water frequently to prevent rotting. Use filtered or rain water for best results.
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Keep cuttings in bright indirect light and maintain consistent moisture in the jar.
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Monitor closely and remove any cuttings that show signs of decline.
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When roots are 1-2 inches long, pot up cuttings to help them establish better.
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Propagating from younger versus older wood may offer higher success rate for some varieties.
With a little patience and proper care, you can root clematis cuttings in water. In no time you’ll have beautiful vines to add to your garden or share with other clematis lovers.
Step 3: Apply Rooting Hormones
Place a small amount of powdered rooting hormone on a small dish or tray. Don’t dip the cuttings directly into the original rooting hormone container to avoid contamination. Dampen the end of the cutting with a little water to help the powder adhere, then dip or rub the powder on the lower 2 inches of the stem of each section that you want to grow.
While cuttings can sprout without using rooting hormone, it will help increase your chances of rooting success. Rooting hormone powder is designed to stimulate root growth. There’s no guarantee that all cuttings will succeed, but rooting hormones help.
Step 2: Take and Prepare Several Cuttings
Using sharp scissors or sharp pruners, remove a 2-3 foot section of vine just above a leaf node or joint. After a cut, immediately put the freshly cut stem into a cup of water or wrap it in a moist paper towel to keep it moist and minimize shock. Take at least two different vine cuttings, more than you think you will need, because it’s likely that some will die without taking root.
Bring your cuttings inside. Lay your length of stem on a flat work surface. Don’t use the greenest tips of the vine sections you selected, as they will be too young to sprout and grow roots. Look instead at the lower, older ends of the vines, towards the end where you made the cut. You will now choose several small sections to grow.
The part that you will actually plant is just a short section. This section should include one leaf node with leaves attached. Cut off the rest of the vine 1 inch above the leaf node and 2-3 inches below the leaf node.
If you started with a 2 to 3-foot section of vine, you should be able to select several cutting starts from this one vine section. Again, prepare more cuttings than you think you will need because some of them will probably not develop roots.
How to take cuttings from a clematis
FAQ
Can clematis be rooted in water?
Yes, clematis can be rooted in water, but it’s generally not the preferred method. While it’s possible to get some root development, clematis roots grown in water don’t always transition well to soil.
Can you root a clematis from a cutting?
Yes, clematis can be propagated from stem cuttings. It’s a relatively easy and effective way to increase your clematis stock.
What time of year to take clematis cuttings?
When to take cuttings. Start in late spring and your cuttings will root within a few weeks and be ready to plant out in the summer.
How long do propagated cuttings take to root in water?
Rooting will generally occur in 3-4 weeks but some plants will take longer. When the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer the cutting is ready to be potted up. This plant has heavy rooting and is ready to be moved to a pot with potting soil.