Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowers in the United States, thanks to their big, bouncy blooms that come in lovely shades of pink, blue, white, purple, and beyond. To get even more out of these iconic flowers, we recommend propagating them. Propagating, the process of creating additional plants from one parent plant, allows you to fill your entire garden with hydrangeas or share them with friends and neighbors. Just as caring for hydrangeas is relatively easy, so too is propagating them. Ahead, experts explain when and how to propagate hydrangeas for an endless supply of blooms.

When to Propagate Hydrangeas

The best time to propagate hydrangeas is in late spring or early summer, between May and July, says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. By this time, the plant has leafed out and put on the current season’s growth.

Late spring and early summer is also when the stems begin to harden. Semi-hardwood cuttings are better at producing roots, giving you the best chances of successfully propagating them, says horticulturist specialist Linda Langelo.

How to Propagate Hydrangeas

Propagating hydrangeas is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s how to do it the right way, according to our experts.

1. Take Your Cuttings

The best time to take hydrangea cuttings is in the morning when the weather is cooler. Choose non-flowering stems, as flowers will rob the stems of the energy needed for rooting, says Roethling. Look for 6- to 8-inch-long stems with two or more sets of leaves. Using clean, sharp pruners, cut the stem about 2 inches below a set of leaves.

2. Remove the Bottom Leaves

Once you’ve collected all of your cuttings, trim off the bottom set of leaves from each stem, leaving four leaves in tact. Using sharp, clean pruners, make a fresh, angled cut at the same place where the lower leaves were, says Roethling.

3. Dip the Stems in Rooting Hormone

While this step is optional, rooting hormone can give your cuttings a boost. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of rooting hormone into a small cup, storing the rest in a cool, dry location. Dip the cut end of the stem in the rooting hormone, giving it a quick tap to shake off any excess.

4. Pot the Cuttings in Soil

Fill a tray with a 50:50 blend of potting soil and perlite. Water the soil so it is moist. Poke a hole in the soil and place the cut end of the stem in the soil right below the first pair of leaves on the cutting. Repeat with the rest of the cuttings, placing one cutting in each cell of the tray so they’re about 2 to 3 inches apart. You can also pot the cuttings in small individual containers, instead of a tray.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Cuttings

Keep the cuttings near a bright window with indirect sunlight. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist as the cuttings gets established, which takes about a month.

How to Transplant Hydrangea Cuttings

Hydrangea cuttings must be rooted before being transplanted. “Some cuttings may root faster or slower, depending on variety or species,” says Roethling. One way to tell if your cuttings have rooted is to tug on the stems gently. If you sense movement in the soil, you likely have roots.

Once the cuttings have rooted, gently remove the plants from the tray using a narrow trowel. Gently tease the roots with a soil knife and your hands. Once the roots are apart, spritz them with water. Fill a one-gallon-sized pot halfway with porous soil. Place the cuttings in the soil, backfilling with more soil until the pot is filled just below the rim.

Keep the transplanted hydrangeas outdoors in the shade and water daily, depending on weather and moisture retention. Roethling recommends keeping them in the gallon pots until the following spring before planting them in the ground. She adds that you will need to store the hydrangeas in a cool, dry area during winter.