Plant Propagation Types

by Jeff Wasielewski

Plant propagation is used to produce new plants from a desired parent plant. There are two categories of
plant propagation: asexual and sexual.

Asexual propagation is used to maintain selections of known identity and quality and includes such
techniques as division, air-layering, grafting and cuttings. Asexual propagation creates plants that are
genetically identical to the parent plant. Sexual propagation is a natural process resulting in a parent
plant forming seeds that create offspring that are not genetically identical to the parent plant, as in
asexual propagation.

Both types of propagation have positive attributes. Asexual propagation allows you to reproduce or clone
the parent plant exactly. This is especially useful when the parent plant has desirable characteristics such
as brilliant flowers or superior fruit. Asexual propagation preserves the characteristics of the parent
plant. The plants produced by asexual propagation will also flower and fruit faster than those produced
by sexual propagation because plants grown from seed need to pass through a juvenile period before
they flower and fruit. Asexually propagated plants are mature when they are propagated and begin to
flower immediately. Sexual propagation has several benefits as well. Growing from seed is cheap and
easy. Growing plants from seed produce offspring which are not genetically identical to the parent;
therefore, the propagated plant will be genetically diverse from the parent plant which is a desired
characteristic in a natural setting.