Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Poke two to three holes in the bottom of a coffee can. Fill the coffee can with a good quality commercial potting soil. Water the potting soil, then allow it to drain before planting the cuttings. The potting soil should be moist throughout but not soggy.
2

Cut several 4- to 5-inch stem cuttings from a healthy snowball bush, as some cuttings may not root. Make the cuttings with a sharp knife wiped with rubbing alcohol. Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings, but leave the upper leaves intact. Use the tip of the knife to scratch the bark on one side of the bottom inch of each stem, as damaging the bark slightly will encourage rooting.
3

Place about a teaspoon of powdered rooting hormone on a piece of paper for each stem cutting. Roll the bottom inch of the bare stem cuttings in the rooting hormone. Discard the unused rooting hormone.
4

Poke holes in the potting soil with a small stick or the eraser end of a pencil. Plant the bare end of the stem cuttings in the potting soil about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Firm the soil gently around the stem cuttings.
5

Place a 1-gallon resealable bag over the top of the coffee can. Secure the bag with a large rubber band or a piece of string.
6

Place the coffee can outdoors in a shady, protected location. Check the stem cutting once or twice every week. Open the bag and mist lightly inside the bag if the soil appears dry.
7

Remove the plastic and plant each stem cutting in its own coffee can or other 1-gallon container when you see new leaves, usually in about four to six weeks. Sprinkle a heaping teaspoon of a general-purpose slow-release fertilizer over the top of the soil.
8

Place the containers in shade or partial shade. Check the potting soil daily and water lightly if the soil feels dry. The snowball cuttings may need to be watered every other day in warm, dry weather.
9

Allow the stem cuttings to grow at least until the next spring before planting the young snowball bushes in their permanent homes.