January Is the Perfect Time to Propagate These 10 Easy Perennials – Set Yourself Up for Years of Free Plants

January can feel quiet in the garden, but it’s actually prime time to multiply several favorite perennials indoors or under cover. Propagating perennials in January gives roots weeks to establish before outdoor planting season hits – and strong new plants mean bigger displays come summer.

Many perennial garden plants root reliably from divisions, stem cuttings, or saved seed while dormant or just waking up. And you can see the results as quickly as spring. The work is simple, mostly down to sharp tools and patience, and setup takes an afternoon at most. Cold frames, bright windowsills, and unheated greenhouses can all be used as propagation stations this month. Just line starter pots on benches and work surfaces with adequate lighting, and squeeze trays onto available shelves.

Key perennials thrive for years once settled, so time spent propagating in January will pay off handsomely with plenty more free plants ready for beds or pots. What’s more, dormancy makes handling easier for key perennial plants, as there is no active growth to damage. Snow outside doesn’t stop the process, and new growth pushes green against gray days. So perennial propagation in January turns a quiet month into a productive one very quickly. Here are some of the easiest perennials to grow from cuttings and division in January.

1. Hostas

Hostas divide most easily in winter, so they are some of the easiest perennials to grow from propagation in January. To divide plants, dig established clumps or lift potted specimens, then slice the crowns into sections, ensuring each has several eyes. A sharp knife should pass through the fleshy crowns smoothly. If you need a good gardening knife, the WorkPro Hori Hori from Amazon is a versatile slicer for multiple garden jobs. Shake off excess old dirt gently.

Water thoroughly, and place them in a cool, bright location out of direct afternoon sun. Leaves emerge slowly but reliably by March. Hosta varieties such as ‘June’ or ‘Sum and Substance’ multiply rapidly this way. Smaller eyes catch up quickly. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and roots should soon fill the pots. Established plants tolerate deep shade well.

2. Heucheras

Heucheras (aka coral bells) root well from stem cuttings taken in January. Snip the woody bases of your coral bells just above the soil line, strip the lower leaves, and dip the ends in a rooting hormone such as my favorite, Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, available from Amazon. Insert the stalks into gritty compost, trimming them straight across. Place on a bright windowsill or a greenhouse bench, where they can receive at least 6 hours of indirect light daily. Several cuttings should fit in one tray.

Heucheras are some of the easiest perennials to propagate in January. Simply maintain trays in a humid environment under plastic covers or in propagators. Roots typically form within 4-6 weeks. New leaves develop tint rapidly, and pots stay cool for optimal strikes. The evergreen mounds provide year-round color.

3. Sedums

Upright sedum varieties such as ‘Autumn Joy’, root readily from stem cuttings snapped from dormant plants. Lay the pieces horizontally on moist sand or bury them halfway, allowing sections to dry slightly before planting. These sun-lovers need the brightest spot possible, so aim for a south-facing windowsill to prevent new shoots becoming leggy. A callus forms quickly on the ends.

New shoots should emerge along stems rapidly. Keep pots barely moist, as excess water leads to rot quickly. By April, the chunky rooted sections are ready for outdoor transplanting. For good starter pots allowing for easy transplanting, try MixC Clear Nursery Pots for Easy Transplants from Amazon. Stonecrop sedums tolerate dry spells exceptionally well, and sunlight accelerates the process.

4. Daylilies

Daylilies divide cleanly in January. To grow more daylilies from propagation now, pull the fans apart, trim long roots, and replant singles or triples shallowly, with crowns just below the surface. Roots often tangle thickly, requiring gentle untangling. Keep the newly potted fans in a sheltered, bright spot like a cold frame or unheated porch.

Water lightly until growth resumes. Named cultivars remain true through this method. Prolific types yield dozens of new plants from one clump. Trim dead leaves first. Fans establish strongly, making these potentially some of the longest living perennials you can grow. Scapes rise tall later will rise tall once moved to full sun in spring, and blooms open daily in summer.

5. Astilbes

Astilbe crowns split effectively when plants are dormant. Cut thick rhizomes into chunks, each with buds and roots attached. The pieces feel firm, almost woody, and you should find that a knife slides through easily. Plant shallowly in an acidic potting mix, keeping conditions cool and moist. Because astilbes prefer dappled light, keep divisions in a cool, shaded part of the greenhouse or a north-facing window while they establish.

Feathery plumes reward the effort the following summer. Shade lovers establish strongly before heat arrives, and peat helps maintain the proper pH. Don’t be afraid to use a soil tester like the Yamron 4-in-1 Tester from Amazon to keep an eye on the ground around your young plants so you can make adjustments if necessary.

6. Penstemons

Penstemons root successfully from basal cuttings taken in January. Choose non-flowering shoots on your penstemon plants. Trim below a node and insert cuttings into a sharp, free-draining mix. Keep your cuts short for plant stability.

Place these in a spot with plenty of overhead light, as they need long days to trigger root growth. Choose a grow light to help boost light levels if needed. Go for a full spectrum option with an adjustable height option for tier-based and vertical tray growing, such as the Barrina T10 Full Spectrum Standing Grow Light from Amazon.

Consistent warmth speeds up root development even in unheated greenhouses, so consider bottom heat via a propagator mat like the BN-Link Seedling Heatmat from Amazon. Tubular blooms appear on new plants by late summer. Spikes stand tall quickly, and humidity domes assist. Leaves remain narrow and neat.

7. Salvia

Hardy perennial salvia types root effectively from heel cuttings, which are pulled with a small sliver of the crown. Dip the ends in rooting hormone, pot them up, and mist frequently. These heels include valuable cambial tissue that promotes successful rooting. Ensure they get at least 6–8 hours of bright light to prevent the stems from softening.

Varieties such as ‘May Night’ and ‘Caradonna’ strike reliably, and the pots fill out bushily by planting time. Roots branch quickly, and the stems are characteristically square. Their aromatic leaves release their scent when handled, adding fragrance to garden borders, and purple spikes attract bees for pollination.

8. Echinacea

Purple coneflowers divide in a similar manner to daylilies. Tease their thick taproots apart carefully, ensuring that each section has fibrous roots and eyes. The centers tend to remain woody. Replant deeply in gritty soil, and water sparingly. Keep your starts in a bright, frost-free environment like a cool conservatory. Drought-tolerant roots establish early.

Any echinacea seeds harvested in fall can also be sown now in a bright propagator for additional seedlings. You can buy propagators with adjustable or high humidity screens, such as Soligt Propagation Trays with Humidity Trays with Amazon.

9. Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies propagate readily through basal cuttings or division. Young shoots around the crowns snip cleanly and root quickly in a light mix. Maintain these in a bright, airy position to avoid damping off. Cuttings generally achieve high success rates.

Keep the soil barely damp. White blooms cover sturdy new plants in the first year, and ‘Becky’ performs especially well through division. Plant stems will thicken fast, providing they aren’t kept in deep shade, and centers mound neatly.

10. Lamb’s Ears

Stachys (commonly known as lamb’s ear) roots easily from rosettes pulled off the crowns. Lay the fuzzy leaves with crown tissue flat on soil, pin them down, and mist gently. Rosettes detach easily, and contact with soil triggers rooting. Grow in a bright, dry spot. Too much shade and humidity causes the velvet leaves to rot.

Roots creep out fast. This perennial’s silver foliage will very likely carpet new areas by midsummer, and the spikes will flower in the second year. The spread stays low, and this soft groundcover edges paths nicely.

Propagation Essentials

When taking cuttings or making divisions, sharp tools, shears and pruners make all the difference. Clean pruners by wiping them with alcohol. Choose healthy sections that are free of pests, trim at a modest angle, and use rooting hormone on varieties that appreciate the nudge.

Slip your perennial cuttings into a sterile, airy medium, adjusting with some coarse or sharp sand, perlite or vermiculite. You can add a little grit or perlite, such as Espoma Organic Perlite from Amazon, to enhance the drainage of your chosen potting soil mix. Water gently and cover pots to maintain a steady, mild humidity until true leaves emerge. Check your cuttings and divisions on a weekly basis. Good signs are new growth and extra weight when you lift your pots and trays. Once they establish, harden off the plants to get them used to the outdoors, and plant them once the last frost date is behind you.

January Propagation Checklist

Transforming your garden doesn't require a huge budget – just a few essentials are all you need for timely new growth. This propagation toolkit is cash well spent – and just think of all the money you’ll be saving on gorgeous perennials, giving you a massive head start on spring.

Need more ideas for getting the most from your plants, indoors and out, and looking for the best seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!