Can I start a hydrangea branch in water inside the house?

Hi Cathy,

This first link offers the dirt method:

https://www.gardenguides.com/110235-start-hydrangeas-cutting.html

Most of the way down this link the water method is shown:

https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Hydrangea-from-Cuttings

Best to you.

Cut the two remaining leaves in half crosswise (not lengthwise). If available, dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone. While rooting hormone will increase the chances of successfully propagating hydrangeas, you can still propagate hydrangea shrubs without it. Now, stick the cutting into damp potting soil.

Or you can just cut most of the leaves off and simply pop the stalk in water in a window. Just wait for the roots to appear and then plant in a pot or ground.

Rooting hydrangeas in water is rarely successful but you can root it in dirt. First, you can't use a "branch", it must be a younger twig about 5-6" long. Make sure it's green inside = means it's alive. It's said that a cutting from a section that didn't flower this year is more effective.

"ROOTING HYDRANGEA CUTTINGS IN FIVE EASY STEPS

1. Take a cutting from a branch of the hydrangea shrub about 5-6" long. Most experts say the cutting will work best if taken from a branch that did not flower this year.
2. Remove the lower leaves of the bottom two leaf nodes. The leaf node is where a leaf comes out of the branch. Most roots will form at that point.
3. Cut largest leaves down to about half their size
4. Dip cuttings in rooting hormone (this is entirely optional) and insert into damp vermiculite or sterile medium.
5. Water pot well and allow to drain. Make sure soil is moist but not soggy. Cover cuttings and pot with plastic. Try to keep plastic from touching leaves by adding stakes."

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/extensions-greatest-hits/2017-09-13-rooting-hydrangea-cuttings-five-easy-steps

"Hydrangea cuttings can take some time to root, so don't be tempted to check for roots until new shoots and some top growth appears, usually after about 4 to 8 weeks. Once they have rooted well give them a regular feed with a general purpose liquid fertilizer."

https://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/propagating_hydrangea_cuttings.html