PlantPatentsandPropagation. Most plantspropagate with seeds in the wild. Propagation by seed requires that pollen from male flowers fertilize female flowers. The resulting plant may not look like either parent plant. Some houseplants and garden plants are sold with labels that include a patent number or a phrase such as “Propagation Prohibited” or “PlantPatent Applied For (PPAF).” [8] Plantpatents are a type of intellectual property that protect newly cultivated plant varieties and prohibit... TL:DR. Plantpatents, PVPA certificates, and Canadian Plant Breeders’ Rights protect breeders from large scale commercial propagation, not home gardeners trimming their plants. Rooting a cutting for personal enjoyment has never been enforced in either country. Plantpatents. These are the most common. They prohibit you from any kind of asexual propagation (AKA vegetative propagation). PlantPropagation With Root Systems. Beginner Guide To Tree Propagation. PlantPropagation: How To PropagatePlants Different Types And Ways. Home gardeners who are propagatingpatentedplants for personal use (meaning not to sell or give away) are less likely to be prosecuted. However, plantpropagation for personal use does still violate the patent, so legal action is a possibility. If you are found growing patentedplants without permission they will levy you with a fine and will ask you to destroy the plants. If you fail to comply there is a good chance that they will file a civil lawsuit against you. Is it right that big companies place patents on some plants? These patents protect them and help ensure they do get paid via propagation royalties so they can continue their work to bring you pretty plants. It’s not the company being greedy. Can a plant be "invented"? While that might sound strange, the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office issues two types of patents for plants, fruits, and seeds: plantpatentsand utility patents. What do these sorts of patents cover, and are you eligible to apply for one? In This Article. It’s illegal to propagateplants that have pre-existing patents. “Many varieties of plants are illegal to reproduce if the tag of the plant says a patent number, plantpatent applied for (PPAF), or ‘propagation prohibited,'” says Lindberg.