Cuttings in a Glass of Water: Propagate Ivy, Coleus and Busy Lizzie

In early summer, a stroll through garden centres quickly reveals the problem: the planting budget shrinks while beds still look rather sparse. This is where an almost surprisingly simple technique comes in: cut shoots from popular ornamental plants, place them in a glass of water and, a few weeks later, plant sturdy young specimens in beds or window boxes – at no extra cost.

Why now is the ideal time for cuttings in a glass of water

Many ornamental plants can be propagated easily from cuttings between spring and late summer. The period around June is particularly favourable. Plants are growing vigorously, their shoots are still young and flexible, and temperatures are generally between 20 and 25°C. Cut surfaces heal rapidly at this time, while new roots develop quickly.

“In early summer, a simple glass of water on the windowsill is often enough to fill entire window boxes within four weeks.”

Depending on the species, anyone who starts now can have rooted cuttings ready after just one to four weeks, suitable for planting straight into pots, window boxes or garden beds. Three familiar garden favourites respond especially well:

• Ivy – for ground cover, fences or hanging baskets
• Coleus – for vividly coloured foliage in containers and window boxes
• Busy Lizzie – as a mass of flowers for shady spots

Just a few parent plants can provide enough material to furnish an entire patio. There is another practical benefit, too: propagating favourite varieties yourself means you are no longer reliant on the often limited choice available in shops.

Basic equipment: what you really need for cuttings in water

Although this approach may sound like something for professional growers, it is very well suited to beginners. Nearly everything required is likely to be at home already. You need only a few straightforward items:

• Clean, sharp secateurs or a knife
• Glass or transparent containers, such as drinking glasses, small vases or jam jars
• Tap water left to stand for a few hours
• A bright position away from strong midday sun

Special rooting powders may speed up the process, but they are generally unnecessary for the three plants listed here. Clean cuts, fresh water and sufficient light are what matter most.

The basic method: turning a shoot into a new plant

The essential steps are almost the same for ivy, coleus and Busy Lizzie. The main differences are the length of the shoots and how quickly each plant produces roots.

1. Choose a healthy, vigorous shoot from the parent plant.
2. Cut a section measuring roughly 7 to 15 centimetres, depending on the species.
3. Make the cut directly below a leaf node, the thickened point on the stem.
4. Remove all leaves from the lower section so that nothing rots in the water.
5. Submerge one or two leaf nodes, leaving the tip of the shoot above the water.
6. Put the container somewhere bright but out of direct sunlight.
7. Replace the water every two to five days.
8. Plant the cutting into compost once its roots are around 2.5 to 5 centimetres long.

“Only stems should be in the water, never leaves – otherwise the water will quickly turn and the cuttings will rot.”

Ivy in a glass of water: the undemanding long-term performer

Ivy is ideal for anyone who prefers low-maintenance planting. A handful of cuttings can become a dense carpet or a lush cascade from a window box within a few months.

How to take ivy cuttings

Select a strong shoot around 10 to 15 centimetres long with several leaf nodes. Cut immediately below one node, then strip the leaves from the lower third to half of the stem. Place it in water so that one or two nodes are completely submerged.

In good conditions, the first pale root tips appear after two to four weeks. Wait until they are about five centimetres long before moving the cutting into a pot filled with loose, fairly humus-rich compost. In the garden, pots or containers help restrain ivy’s vigorous spreading habit – otherwise it can readily overwhelm everything nearby.

Coleus: an explosion of colour from a glass

Coleus is the quiet star of many balconies. Its flowers are unobtrusive, but its vibrant leaves in shades of red, yellow and green make a real impact. Water propagation can turn one plant into a whole collection of colours in a short time.

The perfect coleus cutting

Take shoots measuring 8 to 12 centimetres that have not yet formed flowers. Leave two or three leaves at the top and remove everything below them. This ensures the plant directs its energy into producing new roots rather than flowers.

Stand the cuttings in a glass of lukewarm water and change it every three to five days. Fine roots often emerge after only one week in favourable conditions, and they are frequently long enough for potting on after two weeks. A humus-rich, lightly moist mix of balcony-plant or general flower compost is entirely sufficient.

“One trick: remove flower buds from coleus consistently – this keeps plants bushy and makes the leaf colours more intense.”

Busy Lizzie: more flowers for shady corners

Busy Lizzie is a classic choice for shaded window boxes and partially shaded beds. It brings reliable colour beneath balconies or along north-facing sides in particular. Those with several strong plants can rapidly fill whole rows by taking cuttings in a glass of water.

Rooting Busy Lizzie cuttings

Choose shoots without buds or flowers that are 7 to 10 centimetres long. Remove the lower leaves, retaining only the cluster at the top. The stems are slightly more sensitive than ivy, so it is worth changing the water more often – roughly every two to three days.

Roots grow quickly at suitable temperatures. It commonly takes only 1 to 2 weeks for roots of 2.5 to 3 centimetres to form. That is enough for the plants to establish quickly after being set into compost in window boxes or beds, where they will continue flowering throughout the summer.

Common mistakes that slow down rooting in water

The technique is simple, but there are still a few pitfalls. Knowing them can prevent many unsuccessful attempts.

• Too much sun: Direct midday sun heats the water, encourages algae and stresses the cuttings.
• Dirty containers: Residue and bacteria in the glass cause stems to rot more quickly.
• Leaves below the water: Decaying leaves discolour the water and inhibit root growth.
• Potting on too late: Densely tangled roots grown in water break easily during planting.
• Ice-cold water: Very cold tap water noticeably slows root activity.

Care after potting on: helping cuttings become permanent plants

The first week after planting is crucial to whether the new plants establish properly. Immediately after potting, the young roots should go into a well-watered, lightly moist root ball. Waterlogging is harmful, whereas even moisture is beneficial.

At first, keep newly potted cuttings in partial shade, even if the mature plant can tolerate more sun. Their roots need time to make proper contact with the compost. After one to two weeks, gradually acclimatise them to their final position.

How the three plants differ in everyday garden use

All three species can be propagated in a glass of water, but they behave very differently in the garden:

Plant	Position	Special feature
Ivy	Partial shade to shade, hardy	Evergreen and capable of spreading vigorously
Coleus	Bright, without harsh midday sun	Grown mainly for leaf colour; usually cultivated as an annual
Busy Lizzie	Partial shade, sheltered from wind	Long flowering period and likes consistently moist conditions

Taking these differences into account from the outset avoids later frustration with scorched leaves, failed window boxes or areas that become overrun.

Why cuttings in a glass of water are worthwhile for beginners

Watching roots grow through a transparent container fascinates adults as much as children. Day by day, you can see an ordinary stem becoming an independent plant. That encourages people to continue and experiment with different varieties.

The method also leaves room for experimentation: which coleus leaf colours work best together in a window box? How many ivy plants are needed for a dense privacy screen on a balcony? And how would a shady courtyard look with several rows of Busy Lizzies planted along the wall?

Anyone who has seen how quickly a few parent plants can produce a whole group of strong young offspring in early summer will soon plan garden purchases more deliberately. A handful of high-quality starter plants is enough – glasses of water, a sharp cutting tool and a little patience do the rest.