The art of layering

Many people are familiar with propagating plants from stem cuttings (snipping off lengths of stem and placing them in potting mix or water until roots develop). ‘Layering’ is another stem-based propagation method – the key difference is that the stem stays attached to the parent plant while roots form. It’s called layering because part of the stem is layered under soil, potting mix or coir peat.

Layering replicates a process that occurs in nature. Many plants reproduce when low stems or branches touch the soil and take root. A lot of groundcovers, climbers and shrubs also spread this way, without human help. Layering is a useful technique for plants that are hard to grow from cuttings. It’s reliable, as the stem remains attached to the parent plant while it forms roots, so the young plant is less likely to fail.

There are several layering methods but simple, tip and air are the easiest ones to try at home.

Simple layering

Simple layering (also called ground layering and stem layering) involves bending a low, flexible stem to the ground, and ‘wounding’ it (making a small cut or gently scraping it) to encourage roots to form. If you wish to use rooting hormone, apply it at this point, then partially bury the stem (the tip stays exposed) and peg it down so it’s in contact with the soil. This method can also be used for container plants.

SUITABLE FOR 
You can experiment with any plant that has long, flexible stems that are low to the ground – including groundcovers. 

• Native: Acacia (wattles), westringia, correa, everlasting daisies, eremophila, dampiera, goodenia, hibbertia, hop bush 
• Non-native: Azalea, clematis, daphne, philadelphus, wisteria, rhododendron (pictured, above) 
• Edibles: Blueberry, cranberry, currants, gooseberry, sage 
• Non-woody plants: Ornamentals such as coleus, begonia and plectranthus.
• Herbs including mint and oregano can also be propagated using simple layering, often producing roots within weeks rather than months. However, because they root so easily, these plants are more commonly grown from cuttings.

STEP-BY-STEP: SIMPLE LAYERING
Choose a healthy, flexible stem that’s near the ground and long enough to bend down, or to reach into a nearby pot. 

1. Find the point where the stem touches the ground and gently bend it to snap the bottom section, or nick it with a knife. 
2. Apply rooting hormone (if using), then bend the stem to the ground, and secure with a U-shaped peg, wire or rock. 
3. Cover the section with soil and keep moist until roots form. 
4. Wait 6–12 months. Sever the new plant from the parent plant once it has a strong root system and fresh growth.

See all the images for these steps, plus more step-by-step instruction for tip layering and air layering in the November issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine – on sale now!

Header image by iStock