The Unexpected Green-Thumb Use For A Thrifted Flower Frog

If the term flower frog has you picturing a frog on a flower, this hack is for you. Flower frogs are floral arrangement tools that hold stems upright in a vase. Usually made of ceramic, metal, plastic, or glass, flower frogs come in various shapes and designs, but they all feature small openings for slotting in flower stems. The flower frog keeps stems in place for a beautiful, effortless arrangement. 

But they aren't just for bouquets. You can also use flower frogs for a simple yet ingenious hack to propagate plants. Propagating simply means growing a new plant from the cuttings of an existing one. This is done by strategically cutting off stems of one plant and encouraging it to grow new roots that can then be planted separately. By strategic, we mean identifying nodes  — points of connection between stems  — on your plant, and making sure to include at least one in your cutting. Then, all you have to do is place the cutting in fresh water (submerging the node) and wait. In a matter of weeks, roots will start to appear from the nodes. Once the roots are nice and long, the new plant is ready for soil.

There are tons of houseplants you can easily propagate to fill your home with free greenery, and a flower frog can turn your cuttings into stunning bouquets. Decorative flower frog vases aren't as common these days, so keep an eye out at your local thrift store in case you get lucky. However, flower frog grids are easy enough to find online, and you can pair one with a vase you already have.

Using a flower frog for propagation is easy: Just fill a vase with water and slot the clippings into the frog. Check the water regularly to make sure it stays above the node(s), and change it out every few days. The flower frog's grid design lets the stems rest upright and supported in water while the roots grow unobstructed. There are plenty of houseplants you can both propagate and grow in water. To turn your flower frog vase into a full bouquet, stick various clippings in the frog and enjoy a beautiful arrangement while your clippings propagate. A clipping bouquet in a flower frog vase would make the best housewarming gift for a plant lover!

If you're new to propagating, check out Hilton Carter's tips to propagate like a pro. Using a clear vase will remind you to change out the water, let you see the magic as the roots begin to form, and help you judge when the roots are ready for planting. You'll also need to make sure the roots don't get too big to slide out of the flower frog holes when it's time to plant. The last thing you want is to rip off the new roots when you pull them out of the frog. You may need to remove the flower frog or switch the cutting to a different vase to finish maturing if you're worried about the roots getting stuck.