Plant cuttings are protected from rot and fungal infections if you use this 1 kitchen item

Propagating plants has many benefits. It is a cost-effective way of expanding your garden and serves as a great backup for your favourite plants. All it involves is using plant cuttings to create an identical plant to the parent one.

To carry out the method, you typically want to take a healthy, non-flowering stem, remove any lower leaves and insert the cutting into a pot with a moist, well-draining rooting medium or place it in a jar of water. Keeping the cutting in a bright spot, out of direct sun, and maintaining consistent moisture to promote new roots is advised. However, propagating cuttings also increases the risk of fungal infections because the wound from the cutting creates and entry point. Therefore, to keep your cuttings healthy, there is one other thing that you should add to the process, and you most likely already have what you need in your kitchen.

According to Ideal Home, cinnamon powder is the one thing you need to get your cuttings to grow into successful plants. The spice works well with rooting hormones, which increase the likelihood of your cuttings taking root and enable them to develop quicker and stronger than they would when the hormones aren't used.

It is important to note that cinnamon powder shouldn't be used instead of rooting hormones or powder, but it makes a beneficial supplement.

Lucie Jones, florist at Rowton Castle, said: "I have never been disappointed using it. What cinnamon powder lacks in rooting hormones, it makes up for in antibacterial and antifungal qualities."

The spice is excellent at keeping bacteria and fungus away from young cuttings, which are vulnerable to various propagation errors.

Nicky, Polhawn Fort's head gardener, explained: "Its antibacterial and antifungal properties can help to prevent any form of rot or fungal infection at the cut end of the stem, allowing it more time to propagate and produce its own root system."

Gardeners should add a light dusting on the cut end of a cutting to protect it and help it stay healthy while it works hard to try and root.

However, the most important thing is to ensure that you couple the use of cinnamon powder with a good rooting hormone to ensure your cuttings get everything they need to root and thrive into successful plants.