How to Propagate Tomato Plants from Cuttings

Tomato plants are one of the most popular vegetable plants grown in home gardens, and for good reason. Tomatoes are delicious, versatile and full of healthy nutrients. While starting tomato plants from seeds is the most common method, you can also propagate them from cuttings. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to propagate tomato plants from cuttings.

Step 1: Choose the Right Tomato Plant

The very first step to propagating a tomato plant from a cutting is to choose a healthy, mature plant. Ideally, you want to select a tomato plant that is disease-free and has sturdy stems. It's also important to make sure the plant is well-watered and not wilted.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

After selecting the right tomato plant, you'll need to gather your supplies. Here's what you'll need:

Pruning shears

Rooting hormone (optional)

Potting soil

Clean container or pot

Water

Step 3: Take the Cutting

Using pruning shears, select a healthy stem from the selected tomato plant. The stem should be about 4 to 6 inches in length. It's best to choose a stem that has no flowers or fruit growing on it, as this will allow the plant to focus on producing roots instead of fruit. Remove any leaves from the bottom two inches of the stem.

Step 4: Prepare the Cutting

If you're using rooting hormone, dip the cut end of the stem into the hormone, following the manufacturer's instructions. This will help the cutting develop roots faster. If you don't have rooting hormone, you can skip this step.

Step 5: Plant the Cutting

Fill a clean container or pot with potting soil. Make a hole in the soil and carefully place the tomato cutting into the hole. Firmly press the soil around the cutting so it stands upright, with about 2 inches of the stem buried into the soil.

Step 6: Water the Cutting

After planting the cutting, give it a good watering. Make sure the soil is moist but not soaking wet. Keep the soil consistently moist in the upcoming weeks, without letting it dry out completely.

Step 7: Provide Good Lighting

Place the container in a spot that receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. A sunny windowsill or a spot near a sunny window are good options. Avoid placing the cutting in direct sunlight, as this may cause it to dry out.

Step 8: Wait for Roots to Grow

Over the next few weeks, the tomato cutting will begin to grow roots. You'll know the rooting process is successful when new growth appears on the stem. Once the roots are about 1 inch long and the plant is growing new leaves and stems, it's ready to be repotted into a larger container or planted directly in the garden.

Conclusion

Propagating tomato plants from cuttings can be a fun and rewarding way to grow more plants in your garden. By following the steps above, you can easily propagate your own tomato plants and enjoy fresh, home-grown tomatoes throughout the growing season.