Propagation is a vital aspect of gardening, and those who possess a green thumb can attest to its significance. By propagating plants, you can generate fresh ones to share or utilize in your own garden.
This article will demonstrate how to propagate Jasmine by taking cuttings, which is a simple and effortless process.
Follow along with our step-by-step instructions for everything you need to know about taking Jasmine cuttings. So, keep reading!


When is the Best Time to Take Jasmine Cuttings?
The best time to take Jasmine cuttings is during the late spring or early summer months when the plant is actively growing. This is usually between May and June. During this time, the plant is producing new growth, making it an ideal time to take cuttings.
It’s important to choose healthy, disease-free stems for cuttings. Avoid taking cuttings from stems that have flowers or buds, as the plant’s energy is focused on producing those blooms rather than growing new roots.
Additionally, take cuttings early in the day when the plant is hydrated and the temperature is cooler. This will help reduce the stress on the plant and increase the chances of success for the cuttings.
Why Take Jasmine Cuttings?
Taking Jasmine cuttings is a popular method of propagating the plant. There are several reasons why people choose to take Jasmine cuttings:
- Increase the number of plants: By taking cuttings and propagating them, you can create new plants without having to purchase them. This is a cost-effective way of expanding your garden or sharing plants with friends and family.
- Maintain genetic traits: Propagating through cuttings ensures that the new plant will have the same genetic traits as the parent plant. This is especially important if you have a unique or rare variety of Jasmine that you want to preserve.
- Healthier Plants: Sometimes, the parent plant may become diseased or damaged. By taking cuttings and propagating them, you can create a healthier plant that is free from disease or damage.
- Quicker Growth: Propagating through cuttings is often faster than growing a new plant from seed. The new plant will also be mature and ready to bloom sooner than if grown from seed.
Is it Easy to Grow Jasmine from Cuttings?
Growing Jasmine from cuttings can be successful as long as you carefully select healthy and disease-free plants to take the cuttings from, and provide them with appropriate environmental conditions to facilitate rooting.
In case you’re concerned about the success of your Jasmine cuttings, you can increase your chances by taking multiple cuttings.
How to Take Jasmine Cuttings?
Taking Jasmine cuttings is a relatively easy task, but it requires careful consideration to increase your chances of success. In addition, there are a few tools and materials needed, which you might already have available in your shed.
What You Need
- Sharp tool for cutting (knife, secateurs etc.)
- Rooting hormone (amazon link – opens in a new tab)
- Polythene bag
- Bright windowsill
- Potting mix
- 10-inch pots
- Gloves
Step 1 – Prepare Your Tools
Before you start taking any cuttings, it’s crucial to have the appropriate tools. While secateurs, scissors, and knives can all be used for taking cuttings, it’s important to ensure that they are clean and sharp. This will prevent the spread of disease and make a clean cut, avoiding unnecessary damage to the parent plant.
Additionally, wearing gardening gloves is recommended for all plants to prevent skin irritation from plant sap.
After gathering your tools and donning gloves, you can proceed to step two.
Tip: I have a knife that I use specifically for taking cuttings only, this ensures that it stays sharper for longer and it just needs a quick clean before use each time.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Pots and Potting Mix
While a 10-inch pot is my preferred size, you can choose whichever size you prefer. Just make sure it’s large enough to accommodate the plant’s new root system.
After selecting a pot, the next step is to choose a potting mix. A potting mix is a lightweight growing medium that usually consists of peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite. These materials are well-draining and well-aerated, which is essential for rooting new cuttings. Once you’ve selected your potting mix, fill your container and dampen the mix.
Next, create a small hole in the moistened mix to prepare for inserting the stem.
Step 3 – Choose the Healthiest Looking Jasmine
Selecting a healthy plant for taking cuttings is crucial for increasing your chances of success. It’s best to choose the healthiest-looking plant as a parent for the cuttings. This will not only increase the chances of success but also ensure that the parent plant can recover from the cutting.
If you’re propagating a new plant due to the older one looking worn out, try to select the healthiest-looking new growth where possible.
Step 4 – Cut the Stem
The ideal stem for taking a cutting should be 6-8 inches long, from this year’s growth and have several healthy leaves.
Using your freshly cleaned cuttings knife, make a clean cut just below the lowest leaf node at a 45° angle.
Note: Cutting at a 45° angle reduces the possibility of water build-up on the parent plant that can ultimately cause rotting.
Step 5 – Remove the Lowest Leaves
After cutting the stem to the desired length, the next step is to remove the lower leaves. Only 2 or 3 pairs of leaves on the stem should remain, as they will be used to generate the new plant.
It’s crucial to ensure that these remaining leaves are healthy because they play a vital role in the development of the new plant. To remove the lower leaves, gently grasp them near the base of the stem and pull them off.
Step 6 – Dip in Rooting Hormone
To use rooting hormone powder, first, moisten the end of the cutting that will be planted and then dip it into the powder. The rooting hormone stimulates root growth and can accelerate the plant’s growth. By applying rooting hormone to the cutting, you’re giving it a boost in the propagation process.
While rooting hormones aren’t always necessary, using them can expedite the process of root development and promote vigorous growth. Without rooting hormone, the cutting may take longer to develop roots and may not grow as vigorously.
Step 7 – Plant Your Cutting
To plant the cutting, carefully insert the stem into the hole that you prepared earlier. If the hole is too small, enlarge it slightly to ensure that the rooting hormone remains on the end of the cutting where the incision was made.
After inserting the cutting into the hole, gently firm the potting mix around the stem to secure it in place.
Step 8 – Cover Your Cutting
Ensuring that the cuttings remain hydrated is one of the most critical steps in the cutting process. Even a brief period of drought can cause the cutting to wilt and eventually die.
One method to maintain proper hydration of the cuttings is by covering them with polythene or plastic. This creates a mini-greenhouse effect, which retains moisture in the potting medium and prevents the cuttings from drying out.
However, it’s crucial to monitor the cuttings regularly since excessive humidity can promote fungal growth.
Note: Plastic grocery bags will usually have holes in but if you are using a sandwich bag or something similar, it is best to poke one or 2 small air holes for ventilation.
Step 9 – Place on a Bright Windowsill
After taking the cuttings, it’s time to find them a new home. Place them on a warm and bright windowsill, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to burn and reduce the chances of survival for your cuttings.
Instead, place them in an area with bright, indirect sunlight, which will assist in their growth. The warmth will also aid in encouraging root growth.
Step 10 – Water
Watering your plants is a crucial factor in ensuring their health and growth. Over or under-watering can have adverse effects on the plants, so it’s essential to find the right balance.
To water your plants, check the potting medium regularly. It should feel damp like a wrung-out sponge. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your plants. On the other hand, if the potting medium feels wet, wait for it to dry out a bit before watering again. Maintaining the correct moisture level will aid in the plant’s overall health and development.
Step 11 – Monitor and Be Patient
For gardeners, taking cuttings is an excellent method of propagating new plants. However, it’s crucial to monitor the cuttings and be patient throughout the process.
Sometimes, new roots may begin to grow almost immediately, and you may observe growth within two weeks. However, it may take up to 4-6 weeks in other cases. The key is to maintain a warm, humid environment and keep the cuttings moist.
Note: Any dead or dying cuttings should be removed immediately and when you start to see new growth after a few weeks, the polythene bag can be removed.
Do You Need Rooting Hormone for Jasmine Cuttings?
Using rooting hormone is not mandatory for propagating Jasmine cuttings, but it can be helpful in increasing the chances of success. Rooting hormone stimulates root growth and can accelerate the rooting process, which is especially beneficial for plants that may have difficulty rooting on their own.
However, if you do not have rooting hormone or prefer not to use it, you can still propagate Jasmine cuttings successfully.
When Can I Plant My Jasmine Cuttings Outside?
Jasmine cuttings should be planted outside once they have developed a strong root system and are able to withstand the conditions outdoors. It is recommended to wait until the plant is well established and has grown at least a few inches tall before transplanting it outside.
The best time to transplant Jasmine cuttings outside is during the spring or early summer when the weather is warm and there is plenty of moisture in the soil. Make sure to choose a location with well-draining soil and partial sunlight.
Water the plant regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first few weeks after transplantation.
Can Jasmine Cuttings be Propagated in Water?
Yes, Jasmine cuttings can be propagated in water. The process involves placing the cuttings in a container of water and allowing them to develop roots before transplanting them into the soil.
Keep in mind that not all cuttings will successfully root in water, and the success rate may be lower than rooting cuttings in soil.
Additionally, it’s important to note that plants propagated in water may have weaker root systems than those propagated in soil, which could make them more vulnerable to transplant shock when moved to the soil.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, propagating Jasmine cuttings is a great low-cost way to create new plants.
The process is simple and can be done by just about everyone and by following the simple steps above, you can easily create new plants that will thrive in your garden.

Garden Doctor Tips
“If you can, take multiple cuttings from multiple plants to increase chances of success!”
“If you want to involve the kids, pop your cuttings in water so you can see the roots as they grow!”
“Remember not to leave the cutting in direct sunlight as this can cause the leaves to burn and the cutting will be unlikely to survive!”
“When covering, ensure that your cuttings are not touching the plastic. Being in contact with the plastic when wet can lead to rotting and other problems!”
Frequently Asked Questions
What potting mix do I need for Jasmine cuttings?
Like with many plants, Jasmine cuttings do best in a slightly acidic potting mix (6.0 to 6.5 pH). You can make your own potting mix or purchase a pre-made mix from a garden centre.
Can Jasmine be grown from cuttings?
Yes, Jasmine can be grown from cuttings. Cuttings from outdoor plants should be taken from this year’s hardwood growth during the winter.
Can you take cuttings from Jasmine?
Yes, you can take cuttings from Jasmine. This variety of flowers is very easy to propagate from cuttings, and in fact, taking cuttings is my favourite way to create new plants.
About Me
Hi, I’m Trev and I’ve been growing things since I can remember. When I was younger, I grew up on a farm, so I have always been around plants and animals. After studying horticulture at university, I decided to start my own nursery which I have run now for 25 years. In my spare time, I run this website – which is a resource for people who want to learn more about their gardens.
