A propagation box, propagation chamber or propagator, is something that can be used for rooting plant cuttings. It works like a mini greenhouse that will protect plant cuttings and give them enough moisture so they can survive until they grow roots. In this post, I will show you how to make a homemade propagator, and also how to use it for growing from cuttings.
Some plants are easy to propagate by simply putting a stem cutting in water. But some types of cuttings will only rot if you try rooting them in water because they need a more controlled environment.
That’s where a propagation box comes in handy, and it makes rooting cuttings much easier! There are many different types and styles of propagation boxes. Some are very fancy (and expensive) and others are not so fancy, but cheap (or free!).
I made my own DIY plant propagation box with materials that I got for free, and it works great.
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How To Make A Propagation Box
It sounds like it would be complicated, but making a propagation chamber for cuttings is actually really easy. You only need a few supplies, and you may even have everything you need already on hand!
Here’s what you’ll need, along with the steps for how to make a propagator for cuttings…
Supplies Needed:
- Clear plastic bin with a lid
- Rooting medium for cuttings (a seed starting mix works great too)
- Water
- Drill (if needed for making holes in the lid)
Step 1: Prepare the propagation box – Find or purchase a clear plastic storage bin with a lid, and wash it with soap and water.
It’s important that the bin is completely clear so that light can reach the cuttings. The size of the box doesn’t matter as much, but be sure to get one that’s large enough for your use.
Think about what types of cuttings you plan to use it for, and get a box that’s tall enough for them.
Step 2: Add the rooting medium – Add a 3-4 inch layer of medium, and spread it evenly over the bottom of the box.
You can make your own DIY rooting medium using peat moss or coco coir, perlite or pumice, and vermiculite. If you want a ready-made rooting mix for cuttings, seed starting soil works great too.
Don’t use regular potting soil though. It’s usually too heavy for use in a propagation box, and may cause your cuttings to rot.
Step 3: Add water – Wet down the rooting mix with a light stream of water. Don’t pour or spray it in too fast, or the medium could make a mess.
You want the rooting mix to be moist, but not soggy. If you added too much water to your propagation box, you can leave the lid off the box for a day or two to allow the excess water to evaporate before adding any cuttings.
Rooting medium for cuttings inside propagation chamber
How To Use A Propagator For Cuttings
Now that you have your DIY propagation box all set up and ready to go, it’s time to add some plant cuttings! Here are the steps you should take to ensure success with rooting any type of cutting you want to propagate!
Step 1: Add plant cuttings – Dip the stem of the cutting into rooting hormone before putting it into the box.
Rooting hormone helps cuttings grow roots faster and more reliably. Make a hole in the medium with your finger (so the rooting hormone doesn’t rub off) and stick the cutting into the hole.
Lightly press the medium around the base of the cutting to ensure it’s touching the stem, and that the cutting stays in place.
Rooting cuttings in my DIY propagator
Step 2: Put the lid on the box – If the storage bin you plan to use for your DIY plant propagator is air tight, add a few ventilation holes in the lid to help avoid mildew growth.
Don’t drill very many holes though. Otherwise your propagation box could dry out too quickly, and your cuttings may not root.
You may want to wait to add ventilation holes until you’ve used the cuttings box a few times to see how well it holds moisture.
Step 3: Give it some light – Place your DIY propagator in a spot where it will get lots of light, but keep it out of direct sunlight.
An area near a sunny window is the perfect spot inside the house. Outside it should be kept in the shade. If you don’t have a lot of light in your home, hang a grow light over the top of the box.
I use a shop light fixture with plant grow bulbs in it, but you could use a grow light system to make it easier. Plug them into an outlet timer to make it easy to give your cuttings the perfect amount of light every day.
Step 4: Add bottom heat – Getting a soil thermometer to monitor the temperature of the medium is a good idea. Many types of cuttings won’t root it it’s too cold.
If that’s the case, then you should add bottom heat for rooting cuttings. Bottom heat really speeds up the rooting process.
To make your own DIY heated propagator, you can place the box on a heat mat or near a heat vent in the winter (be careful if it’s near a vent, because the heat will cause the soil in your propagation box to dry out faster).
Coleus plant roots on a stem cutting grown inside my propagation box
Check on your cuttings every few days to see if there are any new plant roots, and to monitor the moisture of the medium.
The rooting medium should never be soggy or completely dried out. It’s best to keep the medium consistently moist.
I recommend getting yourself an inexpensive soil moisture gauge to help you monitor the moisture of the medium. You can add water by slowly pouring it down the inside of the box, or mist it using a spray bottle.
Related Post: How To Propagate Spider Plants
Which Plants Can You Root In Your Homemade Propagator
There are many different types of plants that are easy to root using a homemade propagation chamber. I mainly use mine for propagating houseplants, but you could use it for rooting perennials, herbs or annual cuttings too.
I use my propagation box for everything except for succulents. The box is too humid for them, and they will only rot. Learn how to propagate succulents here.
My Homemade Plant Propagation System
If you’re really serious about cutting propagation, then you may be interested in building a larger system like I did. First I built several homemade heated propagators, and then put them into my mini greenhouse.
My small propagation greenhouse is set up near a south facing window in the spare bedroom. It’s the perfect setup for growing as many cuttings as I want, and it’s fun to experiment with various types of plants.
Whenever I prune a plant or a piece breaks off, I’ll put the cuttings into one of my propagation boxes. I check the boxes every few days to see if there are any new roots, and to monitor the moisture level of the medium.
Related Post: Beginner’s Guide To Gardening On A Budget (19 Cheap DIY Tips)
Where To Find A Propagation Chamber For Sale
Maybe this all sounds like way too much trouble to you, and you just want to buy a ready-made system.
Well you’re in luck, because there are lots of options out there. Plant propagation trays or flats can usually be found at any garden center in the same section where they sell seed starting equipment.
But you’ll find more variety, and even some elaborate plant propagation kit options online. You can buy a simple propagation dome if that’s all you need.
Or you could get a full system, like this large heated propagator kit, or a heated propagation tray with a grow light.
If you’re serious about growing from cuttings, then you definitely need a propagation box. It’s super easy to make your own propagator, or you can buy one instead.
Either way, it’s fun to experiment with rooting all of your favorite plants to see how many you can grow from cuttings.
Want to learn how to propagate all of your favorite plants? Then you will love my Plant Propagation eBook! It has everything you need to know to get started propagating any plant that you want. Download your copy today!
More Information About Plant Propagation
- Plant Propagation Supplies
- Plant Propagation: A Detailed Guide For Beginners
- How To Propagate Lavender Plants From Cuttings
- Propagating Mint Plants From Cuttings Step-By-Step
Share your DIY propagation chamber plans, or add your tips for using a propagation box in the comments section below.
Print These Instructions
How To Make A DIY Propagation Box
This DIY propagation box is easy to make with only a few supplies. You can use it over and over again to root as many cuttings as you want.
Materials
- Clear plastic bin with a lid
- Rooting medium
- Water
Tools
- Drill (if needed for making holes in the lid)
Instructions
- Prepare the box – Wash the clear plastic bin and the lid with soap and water, then wipe them dry.
- Add rooting medium – Add a 3-4 inch layer of medium, and spread it evenly over the bottom of the bin. You can make your own medium using peat moss or coco coir, perlite or pumice, and vermiculite. If you want a ready-made mix, seed starting soil works great. Don’t use regular potting soil, it's too heavy for use in a propagation chamber, and may cause your cuttings to rot.
- Water the medium – Wet down the rooting mix with a light stream of water. Don’t pour or spray it in too fast, or it could make a mess. The medium should be moist, but not soggy. If you added too much water, leave the lid off the box for a day or two to allow the excess to evaporate before adding any cuttings.
Notes
Your DIY propagation chamber can be used right away. After adding your cuttings, place the box in a warm, bright location for best results.
Tammy Reynolds says
Should you only use 1 species per box or can you put different varieties of cuttings in same box? Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can combine as many different types of cuttings in your propagation box as you want, as long as they aren’t overcrowded.
Val says
I’m having difficulty rooting mint in water this year so I’m going to try your method in soil. I noticed the leaves turning brown on your cuttings and wanted to know if those cuttings were still successful? I’ve experimented with a humidity dome before with varying results. If the leaves begin to turn brown or black I discarded the cuttings because I thought something went wrong. Thanks for your help!
Amy Andrychowicz says
The plants I have in the propagation box in the photos above are not mint, they are a type of coleus. The brownish color on the leaves is normal for that variety, they aren’t turning brown (they’re actually more of a burgundy color, very pretty!). Here’s my tutorial on how to root mint cuttings. And yes, they are very easy to root in soil using a propagation chamber like this.
Andrew says
Execellent idea! For the medium, I find well moistened 50/50 vermiculite/perlite gives very good results. I’ve propagated fuchsias, lilac, viburnum, clematis, geraniums, veronicas and penstemons.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, thanks for sharing the medium mixture that you use in you propagation box. 🙂
Christine says
You don’t need draining holes in the box ?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Not for a propagation box like this, because you want the soil to stay moist at all times. You just have to be careful not to overwater.
Gisela Kibler says
Hello, this seems like a very practical idea for cuttings. Just wanted to know whether you have tried this method with voilet cuttings? That is the plant I want to propagate. I found a nice square, clear plastic box at Target. It is probably much deeper than necessary for violets. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, this DIY propagation box would work great for rooting violet cuttings!
Wayne Ryder says
HI AMY THANKS FOR THE GREAT TIPS ON PROPAGATION . THE BOXES U DESCRIBE ARE IDEAL AND I WILL USE FOR PROPAGATING MY CYCAD SEEDS AS WELL AS PLANT AND SHRUB CUTTTINGS .
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FIDDLING WITH SMALL PLASTIC POTS BUT NOT ANY MORE . THANKS WAYNE
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Enjoy your new DIY propagation box. 🙂
EnlightenedGardener says
I don’t know how I never thought of this! I’ve been using random combinations of tupperware and clear plastic bags; it works but it takes lots of fiddling around. This is so clean and easy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Yes, having a dedicated propagation box makes it much easier to root cuttings whenever you want. 🙂
Jan says
Making a propagation box is something I hadn’t thought of… great idea and good use of the boxes that look to be in brand-new condition!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, glad I could give you some inspiration! I love my propagation boxes, and I hope you’ll try making some of your own. 🙂