You don’t have to run to the garden center every time you want more fuchsias! These beauties are actually super easy to propagate yourself. There are a few different ways to get the job done, and I’ve broken down the most popular methods for you below.
The Different Ways to Propagate
If you’re looking to expand your fuchsia collection, here are the go-to methods:
- Growing from seed
- Taking cuttings
- Layering
- Division
Propagating Fuchsias from Seed
You can either buy seeds or harvest them yourself from your own plants. Once you have your seeds, here’s the game plan:
- Grab a seed tray filled with a good seed-starting mix. Sow your seeds and cover them with just a very thin layer of soil.
- Cover the tray with a plastic dome or some clear wrap to keep the moisture in. Keep them in a cool spot, ideally between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once you see those little sprouts popping up, start removing the cover regularly to let them breathe and get used to the air.
- As soon as they’ve developed a solid little root system, you can transplant your babies into larger pots.
Propagating Fuchsias from Cuttings
Compared to seeds, taking cuttings is usually the way to go. Not only is the success rate higher, but you’re also guaranteed a “true-to-type” plant. This means your new fuchsia will be a genetic twin of the mother plant.
- Look for healthy, green stems that haven’t turned woody yet. Snip off a cutting that has at least two pairs of leaves, making your cut just below the bottom set.
- Stick the cuttings into a small pot filled with starter soil and cover them with a plastic bag or dome to create a mini greenhouse.
- In about two to three weeks, they should have enough roots to move into their own permanent pots.
- You’ll know you’ve succeeded when you see fresh new leaves starting to grow!
Propagating by Layering
If you have fuchsias planted in the ground or in large containers, layering is a great “set it and forget it” method:
- Take a healthy, flexible stem and gently bend it down until it touches the soil. Secure it in place so that one of the “nodes” (the little bumps where leaves grow) is in direct contact with the dirt.
- After a while, that node will start growing its own roots. Once the root system is strong enough, just snip the stem away from the mother plant and pot up your new fuchsia.
Propagating by Division
Another simple trick is dividing the root ball of an established plant. This is pretty straightforward: dig up your fuchsia and use a sharp spade to carefully slice the root ball into two sections. Try to be as gentle as possible to avoid damaging too many roots. Replant both halves, and just like that, you’ve turned one plant into two identical twins!