Use A Common Household Product To Make A Stunning Propagation Bouquet That Lasts

Growing new plants from cuttings feels like magic, and there are plenty of pretty plants that only need a little bit of water to propagate. Plant cuttings in vases or jars can give you a lovely effect of cascading greenery. But, sometimes they look scraggly, weighed down, or even ready to tip over. We have a nearly invisible, nearly free hack for holding plant cuttings in place thanks to the Instagrammer @fancyplantsclub, who covered the opening of a jar full of water with plastic wrap, poked several holes in the surface, and sent plant cutting stems through the holes.

This transparent solution holds the cuttings in place without falling or sinking into the vase. It also does a fine job holding multiple stems in place for a full, lush bouquet that's nice to look at while you wait for roots to appear. Some types of cling wrap don't live up to their title; if you have a roll that's too frustrating for kitchen applications, this is a great way to use up a bit. Reinforce the hold with a rubber band, a long wire tie, or even a ribbon. The latter can be especially cute if you trim away excess plastic wrap that descends past the ribbon.

If you've adopted an eco-friendly lifestyle and don't have cling wrap on hand, you might have other items on hand that can fill in for plastic wrap. Eco-friendly kitchen products that are past their prime, like worn out beeswax wraps beyond repair, can sub for plastic wrap. Going zero-waste is admirable, but you're still apt to end up with some plastic packaging you can't recycle. A plastic lid that's a little larger than the mouth of your vase can work. Poke holes large enough for stems to fit through, and hold it in place by securing a circle of fabric with a jute cord, ribbon, or bakers' twine. Poke holes through the fabric over the lid's holes. With the right pairing of fabric and tying material, this can make a thoughtful, attractive gift for just pennies. 

Plastic bags are another annoying reality that comes with grocery shopping. Even the greenest shoppers occasionally end up with food packaging from dry beans, bulk oatmeal, or frozen vegetables. Cut a square from a bag that's big enough to cover the mouth of your vase. Don't worry if it's covered in pictures and text; just conceal it with a fabric circle. Lay the fabric circle over the plastic, and poke holes through both layers before attaching them to your vase. Get another use out of leftover mesh produce bags as well. Instead of tossing them in favor of new ones, smooth a piece of the bag over the mouth of a jar or vase. Secure it with a rubber band and place stems through the holes.