How to Grow Baby's Breath from Cuttings

 

The botanical name of Baby’s breath is Gypsophila and the plant is the star of the cutting garden, providing delicate little blooms that dress up floral arrangements (and your garden), from midsummer to autumn. You might be familiar with white baby’s breath, but various shades of rosy pink are also available. If you actually have access to a mature baby’s breath plant, growing cuttings from Gypsophila is surprisingly very easy in USDA plant hardiness zones three through nine. Can you start baby's breath from a cutting? Continue reading to learn how to grow baby’s breath from cuttings.  

 

How Can I Get My Baby's Breath to Grow from the Stem?

To get started fill a container with good quality commercial potting mix. Water well and then set the pot aside to drain until the potting mix is moist but not dripping. Taking baby’s breath cuttings is simple. Select some Gypsophila stems. Cuttings from Gypsophila should be about three to five inches in length. You can plant several Gypsophila stems, but make sure they aren’t touching. Dip the cut end of the baby’s breath stems into rooting hormone and then plant the baby’s breath stems in the moist potting mix with about two inches of stem above the soil. (Before planting the stems make sure you remove any leaves that will be under the soil or touching the soil). You have to place the pot in a clear plastic bag to create a warm, humid environment for the Gypsophila cuttings. Place the pot in a warm spot where the baby’s breath cuttings aren’t exposed to bright sunlight. The top of a refrigerator or other warm appliance works well. Make sure you check the pot regularly and then water lightly if the potting mix feels dry. Very little water will be actually needed when the pot is covered with plastic. After about a month you can check for roots by tugging lightly on the baby’s breath cuttings. If you feel resistance to your tug, the baby’s breath cuttings have rooted and each can be moved into an individual pot. You can remove the plastic at this time. Just continue to care for the Gypsophila cuttings until the plants are large enough to grow outside. Also make sure any risk of frost has passed.