Seed + Cloning Plugs

Why Use Seed and Cloning Plugs?

Seed and cloning plugs are designed to hold the ideal balance of air and water, keeping young roots moist without suffocating them. This stable root zone helps prevent drying out, damping-off, and transplant shock. For hydroponic growers, seed and cloning plugs make it easy to move from germination or cloning trays into net pots, slabs, or larger blocks, while soil growers can transplant directly into pots or raised beds with minimal disturbance.

Types of Seed and Cloning Media

Stonewool Plugs, Cubes, and Blocks

Stonewool plugs and cubes are a favorite for hydroponic starter plugs because they hold moisture evenly while still allowing excellent oxygenation around the roots. Start your seeds or cuttings in small plugs, then step them up into larger cubes or blocks as they grow. This plug-to-block method gives roots continuous access to water and nutrients and helps plants transition smoothly into full hydroponic systems.

Organic and Peat-Based Starter Plugs

Peat- and coco-based seedling starter plugs are ideal for growers who want a more natural-feeling medium that still offers clean, consistent performance. These cloning media options come pre-formed, pre-drilled, and often pre-buffered, so you can simply hydrate, insert your seed or cutting, and place them in a tray or humidity dome. They work well for both soil and hydroponic gardens and break down easily after transplant.

Pellets, Refills, and Grow Trays

Pellet refills and replacement inserts let you re-use your propagation trays season after season. Just hydrate the pellets, drop them into your tray, and you are ready to sow seeds or root clones. Matching grow trays keep everything organized, support high humidity, and make it easy to bottom-water and drain, giving your young plants an even, gentle start.

All-in-One Propagation Kits

Propagation kits bundle humidity domes, grow trays, and seed or cloning plugs into one convenient package. They are perfect for new growers or anyone looking to simplify their setup while keeping results consistent. With a complete propagation kit, you can dial in temperature, humidity, and moisture for strong, fast root development and confident transplanting into your main system.

How Seed and Cloning Plugs Help Growers Succeed

By using dedicated seed and cloning plugs, growers get reliable germination, faster rooting, and less transplant shock. Uniform plugs make it easy to plan plant counts, time your crops, and scale up your garden. From hobby tents to commercial hydroponic rooms, the right cloning media and starter plugs mean healthier seedlings, more vigorous transplants, and stronger harvests down the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cloning and seeds?

Seeds are produced through sexual reproduction and contain a mix of genetics from parent plants, so each seed can grow into a slightly different plant. Cloning uses a cutting taken from an existing plant to produce a new plant that is genetically identical to the original. Seeds offer genetic diversity and the chance to find new traits, while clones provide consistency and predictable growth and yields.

How do you clone a seed plant?

To clone a seed-grown plant, first select a healthy, vigorous mother plant with the traits you want to preserve. Take a clean cutting from a young branch, usually just below a node, and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting gel or powder if desired, then insert it into a moist cloning plug or starter cube. Place the plugs in a tray with a humidity dome, keep temperatures stable, and maintain high humidity and gentle light until roots emerge, then gradually harden off and transplant.

What are the advantages of cloning plants?

Cloning plants lets you preserve a plant’s exact traits, including growth pattern, flavor, aroma, color, or yield potential. Because clones are genetic copies, your crop will be more uniform and easier to manage. Clones can also reach maturity faster than plants started from seed, since they begin life as a cutting from a more mature plant, saving time in the vegetative phase and helping you plan more predictable harvest cycles.

What is the best medium to germinate seeds for hydroponics?

Many hydroponic growers prefer stonewool plugs, peat or coco starter plugs, or similar inert seedling media that hold moisture well while still allowing air to reach the roots. These hydroponic starter plugs fit easily into standard trays and net pots and do not break apart when moved, which helps protect tender roots. The best choice depends on your system and preferences, but any high-quality plug that stays evenly moist, drains well, and fits your equipment can work very effectively.

What is cloning in hydroponics?

Cloning in hydroponics is the process of taking cuttings from a healthy mother plant and rooting them in a water-based growing environment. The cuttings are placed in cloning plugs, collars, or cubes and kept under high humidity, with gentle light and stable temperatures. Once a strong root system forms, the new plants are transferred into a hydroponic system where their roots receive a constant supply of oxygenated nutrient solution for rapid growth.