Salvia cuttings

Taking Cuttings in Late Summer
There’s something quietly satisfying about snipping a cutting and knowing you’ve just created a whole new plant – especially when it comes to salvias. These vibrant, long-flowering beauties are garden heroes, and late summer (August into early September) is the ideal time to start propagating them. It’s easy, rewarding, and frankly a little addictive.

Whether you’re looking to bulk up your own borders, share the joy with friends, or simply save your favourites from the whims of an Irish winter, now’s the time to get snipping.

Why Take Salvia Cuttings?
Taking cuttings is the best way to ensure your favourite salvias come back year after year — especially the tender varieties that mightn’t make it through a cold snap. It’s cost-effective, satisfying, and a bit of a safeguard too.

While some salvias are technically perennials or sub-shrubs, many (like Salvia ‘Amistad’) behave more like tender annuals in our climate. Rooting a few cuttings gives you a kind of plant insurance – plus, more plants for free? Yes please.

When’s the Right Time?
Late summer is spot on, August into early September, when the plant is still actively growing but not in full flower frenzy. At this time, the stems are firm and green, and the plant still has the energy to heal and root.

Cuttings taken too early can wilt in the heat or flower prematurely, while those taken too late may not establish roots before the cold sets in. So when you’re deadheading or tidying up, keep your secateurs close and a few small pots even closer.

What Salvias Can You Propagate?
Not all salvias are equal when it comes to cuttings but plenty root beautifully:

Salvia ‘Amistad’ – a favourite for good reason, with deep purple flowers and lush growth

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ – bright, cheerful, and so easy to grow

Salvia ‘Neon’, ‘Love and Wishes’, ‘Ember’s Wish’, and other Wish series

Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ – gorgeous in pots and borders

Tender or semi-tender Mexican salvias like Salvia leucantha or Salvia guaranitica

Annuals like Salvia splendens are better from seed, but many herbaceous types will root too

How To Take Salvia Cuttings – Step by Step
Pick Your Stems:
Choose healthy, non-flowering stems about 7–10cm long. Avoid anything woody or overly soft.

Make the Cut:
Using sharp, clean snips, cut just below a leaf node (that’s where the leaves join the stem). This is the sweet spot for rooting.

Strip the Leaves:
Remove the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top. If they’re big, snip them in half to reduce moisture loss.

Prepare Your Pots:
Use small pots filled with free-draining compost – multipurpose mixed with horticultural grit or perlite is perfect. Water the mix lightly beforehand.

Dip and Stick (Optional):
Dip the cut end in hormone rooting powder if you have it – not essential, but helpful. Then stick the cutting in, firm gently, and water in.

Cover and Wait:
Pop the pots in a tray and cover loosely with a clear plastic bag or place them in a propagator. Keep them somewhere bright but out of direct sun and be patient.

Aftercare: Growing On and Overwintering
Check Weekly: Water when the compost feels dry – not soggy. Remove any leaves that yellow or rot.

Rooting Time: After 2–4 weeks, gently tug – if there’s resistance, roots have formed.

Pot On: Once well rooted, pot into individual small pots and let them grow on in a sheltered spot.

Overwinter Indoors: From October onwards, move them into a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or sunny windowsill. They don’t like frost, so protect them before the first cold nights.

Keep Them Trimmed: Pinch out leggy growth to encourage bushiness and prevent them getting too straggly.

Planting Out Next Year
Come mid- to late May (after the last frost), your baby salvias will be ready for the big wide world. Harden them off over a week or two, then plant them into borders or containers — preferably in a sunny, free-draining spot. They’ll settle in quickly and reward you with months of colour.

A Final Thought
There’s something magical about growing your own plants from scratch — and salvias are generous friends in this respect. So, next time you ar in your garden admiring their blooms or giving them a light tidy, take a few minutes to snip a cutting or two. Your garden (and your wallet) will thank you next summer.