Hot Lips, also known as Salvia microphylla, is a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that blooms with bright red tubular flowers. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add some color to their landscape or attract hummingbirds.
One of the best things about Hot Lips is how easily it propagates. Propagation refers to the process of creating new plants from existing ones. In this blog post, we’ll discuss several methods you can use to propagate Hot Lips in your home garden.
Propagation through Stem Cuttings
One of the easiest ways to propagate Hot Lips is by taking stem cuttings. Here’s how:
1. Choose a healthy stem from your existing Hot Lips plant that has at least two nodes (the point where leaves grow out from the stem).
2. Using a sharp and clean pair of scissors or pruning shears, cut off a 4-6 inch piece of the stem just below one node.
3. Pinch off any leaves on the bottom half of the cutting so that only two or three pairs remain on top.
4. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder (optional) and stick it into moist potting soil or sand up to its first set of leaves.
5. Water gently and cover with a plastic bag or clear plastic container to create humidity around your cutting.
6. Place in indirect light for 3-6 weeks until roots have developed enough for transplanting outdoors in spring after frost danger has passed.
Propagation through Division
Another way you can propagate Hot Lips is by dividing an established clump:
1. Dig up an established clump of your Hot Lip plant during its dormant period (late fall or early spring).
2.Carefully separate sections using clean pruners ensuring each section has both roots and foliage
3.Replant divisions immediately at same depth they were before directly into well-draining soil
4. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to maintain moisture.
Propagation through Seeds
Hot Lips also propagate well from seeds:
1. Collect ripe seed heads when they have turned brown on the parent plant in late summer or fall.
2.Thoroughly dry seeds in a cool, dark place for several weeks before storing them until spring or sow immediately
3.Starting indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date improves success rates then transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.
4.Seeds can be planted directly into well-draining soil outside after all danger of frost has passed as an alternative method.
In conclusion, propagating Hot Lips is an easy and rewarding process that any gardener can achieve with proper care and attention. Whether you prefer stem cuttings or division, propagation offers you an opportunity to enjoy additional plants while expanding your garden’s color palette at no additional cost!
