Layered plants are plants that have been propagated through a process called layering, in which a stem of the plant is bent and a section of it is buried in soil or compost. This buried section will then form roots and become a separate plant, which can be cut away from the parent plant and transplanted. Layering is a simple and effective method of propagating plants, particularly woody shrubs and fruit trees. Layered plants can be purchased online from a variety of retailers and nurseries, and are usually a more economical option than buying a mature plant, as they are smaller and take less time to grow.