Part 2: Propagation by stem cuttings
| Site: | OpenLearn Create |
| Course: | Plant propagation |
| Book: | Part 2: Propagation by stem cuttings |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Tuesday, 25 November 2025, 11:39 AM |
1. Introduction
By cutting sections of plant stem, and encouraging it to grow roots, you are making an exact genetic clone of the parent plant. This means that the propagule (cutting) will grow up to be exactly the same as the parent plant genetically, but environmental influences such as pruning could make it appear to be different as it grows.
The stronger and healthy the parent plant is, the stronger and healthier your cuttings will be as they grow, so it is essential to choose your propagation material carefully and ensure that it is free from pests and diseases.
There are three main types of stem cutting: Hardwood, semi-rip and softwood.
2. Hardwood cuttings
Hardwood cuttings = stem cuttings taken of deciduous trees and shrubs in the dormant season (late autumn to early spring in the UK). The stems are hard and woody at this time of year.
This type of cutting has the benefit of being able to be rooted without supplementary heating or at high humidity as they have no leaves, but rooting is slow.
>Hardwood cuttings (YouTube, 5:12)
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Have a go at making some hardwood cuttings as instructed in the video. If it is not the right time of year then have a practice anyway on some woody stems with the leaves removed to get a feel for it, then you can carry out the propagation for real at the correct time of year.
3. Semi-ripe cuttings
Semi-ripe cuttings = stem cuttings taken when growth has slowed for the year (late summer and autumn in the UK) from the current season’s growth which has hardened up a bit and so feels firm and rubbery. The recent growth of evergreen plants does not go woody, brittle and dormant in the winter like deciduous plants and so semi-ripe cuttings can be made right through the winter.
This type of cutting is faster to root than hardwood cuttings but usually requires supplementary bottom heat and a humid environment to root and so is more labour intensive than hardwood cuttings.
Semi-ripe cuttings (YouTube, 6:32)
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Have a go at making some semi-ripe cuttings as instructed in the video. If it is not the right time of year for outdoor plants, then you can have a go with house plants.
4. Softwood cuttings
Softwood cuttings = stem cuttings taken of new soft growth during the main growing season (spring and early summer in the UK).
This type of cutting is the fastest to root but requires careful humidity control otherwise it will wilt and die before it produces roots. It is also more susceptible to pest and disease attack than hardwood or semi-ripe cuttings.
Softwood cuttings (YouTube, 3:48)
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Have a go at making some softwood cuttings as instructed in the video. If it is not the right time of year for outdoor plants, then you can have a go with house plants.
5. Aftercare
Cuttings aftercare (YouTube, 6:48)
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Hardwood cuttings
Once you have made your cuttings, dip the ends into rooting hormone and stick them into trays or pots of moist compost or soil, or directly into a pre-prepared area of ground such as the end of a raised vegetable bed, or an area of a flower bed which has been improved with added compost and weeded.
Hardwood cuttings can remain somewhere cool such as outside or in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame.
Ensure they remain weed free and do not dry out.
Every few weeks give the cuttings a gentle tug to see if roots have developed.
When the roots are well established the cuttings can be potted up or moved to their final location in the garden.
Semi-ripe and softwood cuttings
Once you have made your cuttings, dip the ends into rooting hormone and stick them into trays or pots of moist compost.
Place them somewhere bright but not in full sun, such as in a shaded greenhouse or on a north facing windowsill, and cover with a clear propagator lid or put them in a clear plastic bag.
Every day, lift the lid or open the bag to exchange the air inside, mist with water and reseal.
Every few days, give the cuttings a gentle tug to see if their roots are developing.
Once they have rooted, the propagator lid or bag can be removed and the cuttings can begin to wean, that is to get used to a cooler and less humid environment.
Once the roots are well established, the cuttings can be potted up and grown on until they are big enough for sale or for use in the garden.
Do some research online to investigate which types of plants you can propagate by which type of stem cutting, make a note of your favourites that you would like to have a go at in the future. Websites of organisations such as the RHS are useful for this type of research.