There are several plants to propagate in December, and they offer a quiet winter win for gardeners itching to grow more without waiting for warmer days. That bare dogwood or potted rosemary? Snip a few stems now, and by April you’ve got doubles ready to go in the ground—stronger stock from your own yard.
Propagating in December fits right into the slow season, when bare branches and indoor pots make grabbing cuttings a breeze. For basic plant propagation, it helps to know that cuttings root best in simple setups like moist soil or water jars. Spot the right stems—thick for outdoors, semi-woody for indoors—and you avoid common slips like rot or drying out.
Cuttings in December thrive in the chill for outdoors types and steady indoor light for others, turning holiday downtime into future harvests. Whether you’re after colorful twigs or fragrant herbs, these picks root reliably with minimal fuss. Get them started now, and spring planting feels like cheating! You can expand your beds without spending a dime or breaking a sweat.
Outdoor Propagation: Dormant Hardwood Cuttings
Dormant hardwood cuttings take advantage of December’s bare branches, when shrubs rest and root hormones run high. Rooting cuttings from shrubs and bushes can be done very easily. Snip pencil-thick stems from healthy plants, bundle them, and tuck them into sand or soil outdoors—they callus over winter and root by spring. No heat mat needed; the cold actually helps prevent rot.
1. Red or Yellow Twig Dogwood
Red twig or yellow twig dogwood cuttings root like they’re made for it. Grab 8–10-inch (20–25cm) lengths from last year’s growth, strip lower leaves, and bury two-thirds deep in a trench of moist sand. They handle December’s freeze without a hitch, sending roots by March for colorful winter stems next year. Plant out in full sun for the brightest bark; one mature bush yields dozens of babies this way.
Space new plants 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8m) apart in average soil. They tolerate clay or sand and even some light shade. Prune hard after the first year to push those vivid twigs, and you’ve got erosion control or privacy screening that self-multiplies. A rooting hormone powder, like this from Amazon, speeds things up.
2. Currants and Gooseberries
There’s something almost old-fashioned about taking currant or gooseberry cuttings in December. You trim off a 6–8-inch (15–20cm) length of last season’s fruiting wood, touch the base with hormone if you have it around, and set the piece upright in sandy loam. Then it just sits quietly in a cold frame or an unheated garage, rooting without any fuss while nothing much is happening outside. Black and red currants usually strike first, though gooseberries are never too far behind.
Come early spring, those little pots are ready to meet the sun. These shrubs like soil that leans a bit acidic and drains cleanly, and they really hold their own when you blanket the base with mulch. Before long, you’re looking at sharp, tart fruit that makes proper pies and jams, and the plant that started as a single cutting can thicken into a hedge that wildlife immediately finds. Annual currant pruning keeps it from turning into a thicket and keeps the berry load steady.
3. Forsythia
Propagating forsythia cuttings is effortless because they shrug off December chill. Cut 6-inch (15cm) straight stems from the base, remove buds on the bottom half, and plant in well-drained soil or perlite. They callus fast in cool temps, rooting by late winter for those sunny yellow blooms come March. It’s the easiest way to spread that early-spring cheer without buying more.
Set them 3 feet (0.9m) apart in full sun; they fill out quickly and handle poor soil like champs. Mulch heavy to retain roots, and by summer you’ve got a hedge that screens and scents the air. A propagation tray, like this from Amazon, keeps humidity steady if your spot dries out.
4. Willow
Growing willow trees from cuttings is so easy it’s almost unfair—snip 12-inch (30cm) whips from young branches, bundle upright in a bucket of water or wet sand, and watch the roots grow in weeks. The natural hormones make it foolproof. Flexible branches work for living fences or basket weaving. Plant extras along streams for erosion control since they suck up water like sponges.
Push rooted pieces into moist soil come spring; they can grow around 6 feet (1.8m) a year in full sun or part shade. Trim to shape hedges or let them arch naturally; one willow yields hundreds of starters. No hormone needed, but a pair of sharp pruners like these Fiskars from Amazon make clean cuts and quick work of any pruning job.
Indoor Propagation: Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
Semi-hardwood cuttings shine indoors over December, when houseplants push new growth under holiday lights. Take cuttings from the current season’s stems and root them in pots under plastic to trap humidity. Bright windows or LED grow lights mimic spring, coaxing roots in 4–6 weeks. It’s propagating in December at its coziest—no garage chill required.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary cuttings root reliably in December—clip 4–6-inch (10–15cm) semi-ripe stems from the top, strip lower needles, and poke into gritty potting mix. Keep soil barely moist under a dome; roots form in a month for that Mediterranean scent year-round. Select upright varieties like ‘Tuscan Blue’ for best success.
Pot up in spring to full sun—they hate wet feet but love heat. Harvest tips for cooking; one plant feeds the kitchen seemingly forever.
6. Geraniums
Geranium cuttings bounce back fast in December. Snip 3–4-inch (7.5–10cm) tips just below a node, let them callus overnight, then plant in vermiculite. They root in 2–3 weeks under bright indirect light, ready for scented or zonal blooms by spring. Ivy types trail nicely in pots.
Transplant outdoors after frost; deadhead for nonstop flowers in sun or part shade. They overwinter easily indoors too. One cutting multiplies your porch pots almost endlessly.
7. Lavender
Propagating lavender cuttings in December works well for English types like ‘Hidcote'. Take 3-inch (7.5cm) heel cuttings from woody bases, dip in hormone powder, and root in sand-perlite mix under mist. They sulk less than softwood starts and form roots by February for fragrant borders. Avoid overwatering; drainage is key.
Plant in gritty, sunny spots come spring. Lavender plants like dry soil and bloom in purple waves. Prune after flowering to keep bushy. Cuttings ensure your herb garden smells amazing for several seasons.
8. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemum basal cuttings thrive in December. Pull 2–3-inch (5–7.5cm) shoots from the crown, trim, clean, and pot in sterile mix. They root quickly under grow lights, setting buds for fall color next year. Mums self-root like pros this way.
Set in full sun with afternoon shade; pinch tips for bushiness. One plant yields dozens, turning borders into autumn fireworks.
Essential Propagation Steps
Clean pruners make a difference, so start by wiping them with alcohol before any cutting. Choose stems that look lively and free of pests, trim at a modest angle, and use rooting hormone on varieties that appreciate the nudge. Slip the cuttings into a sterile, airy medium—perlite and vermiculite both work—then water gently and cover the pot to keep a steady, mild humidity around them.
Give the pots a weekly check. Roots often show themselves through new top growth or a little extra weight when you pick them up. As they get established, introduce them to outdoor air bit by bit to harden off the plants and plant them once the last frost date is behind you. Adding simple labels now saves a lot of confusion later.
