Layering is advantageous because it avoids the possible failure of fertilization. In layering, a stem or branch of a plant is bent down and buried in the soil while still attached to the parent plant. The buried section of the stem or branch will eventually develop roots and grow into a new, independent plant. This method ensures that the new plant will be genetically identical to the parent plant, unlike sexual reproduction where the offspring may vary genetically. Since layering does not require fertilization or pollination, the chance of failure due to poor pollination or genetic variability is minimized.