Cuttings let you multiply your favourite plants for free, replace ageing plants and share with friends. Different plants root best at different stages of growth. This guide explains the three main types of stem cutting and how to look after them until they root.
Step by step
Pick the right type of cutting
Softwood cuttings are taken from soft new growth in spring and early summer. Semi-ripe cuttings come from this year's growth that is firm at the base, usually in mid to late summer. Hardwood cuttings are taken from dormant woody stems in autumn and winter.
Prepare pots and compost
Fill small pots with a free-draining, peat-free cutting compost, or mix multi-purpose compost with grit or perlite. Water it and let it drain before inserting cuttings.
Take healthy cuttings
Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut them in the cool morning with clean, sharp secateurs or a knife. Keep softwood cuttings in a plastic bag in the shade so they do not wilt before you pot them.
Trim and insert
Trim each cutting just below a leaf joint and remove the lower leaves. Push softwood and semi-ripe cuttings into the compost around the edge of the pot. Put hardwood cuttings into a trench or deep pot with about two thirds of their length buried, the right way up.
Provide the right conditions
Cover softwood cuttings with a clear bag or place them in a propagator to keep humidity high, out of direct sun. Semi-ripe cuttings do well in a cold frame or sheltered spot. Hardwood cuttings can stay outdoors in a sheltered bed.
Check, pot on and harden off
Check regularly and remove any mouldy cuttings. When you see roots at the base of the pot or new growth, move each rooted cutting into its own pot, grow it on and harden it off before planting out.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Clean, sharp secateurs or knife
- Small pots or trays
- Peat-free compost with grit or perlite
- Clear plastic bags or a propagator
- Labels and a pencil
- Watering can with a fine rose
- Sheltered spot or cold frame
Practical tips
- Label every pot with the plant name and date, as cuttings look alike.
- Take more cuttings than you need, as not all will root.
- Some plants are protected by plant breeders' rights, so propagate those for your own use only, not for sale.
Common problems
My cuttings wilted and died within days. Why?
Softwood cuttings lose water quickly. Keep them covered and humid, out of direct sun, and pot them up as soon as possible after cutting.
The cuttings are rotting at the base. What went wrong?
The compost is probably too wet or poorly drained. Use a grittier mix, water less, and ventilate covered cuttings for a short time daily.
How do I know if a cutting has rooted?
Look for roots at the drainage holes or new leaves forming. A gentle tug that meets resistance is another sign, but avoid pulling too hard.