Part 3: Propagation by leaf cuttings and root cuttings
| Site: | OpenLearn Create |
| Course: | Plant propagation |
| Book: | Part 3: Propagation by leaf cuttings and root cuttings |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Tuesday, 25 November 2025, 12:51 PM |
1. Leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings = sections of leaf cut from a plant which produces roots when inserted into, or pinned down onto, growing media.
This is a useful way to propagate some tropical plants, often used as house plants in the UK. The temperature and humidity of the rooting cuttings needs to be carefully controlled to ensure success.
Leaf cuttings (YouTube, 5:48)
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Have a go at making some leaf cuttings. If you don’t have access to suitable plants that will root from leaf cuttings straight away, you can practice the cutting techniques using any leaves.
Do some research online about the best types of plant to propagate by leaf cuttings. Make a note of any favourites that you would like to have a go at in future and which method you would use for each.
2. Root cuttings
Root cuttings = sections of root cut from a plant and inserted into growing media where they produce a crown and leaves.
This type of cutting can be tricky and requires a chunky section of root which has plenty of stored energy in it.
Root cuttings (YouTube, 4:16)
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Have a go at making some root cuttings. You can do this from a plant that you take out of a pot or one that you dig up from the garden.
Never remove more than one third of the parent plant’s roots and ensure you replace and water the parent plant once you have taken the roots you are going to use.
Do some research online about the best plants to propagate by root cutting. Make a note of any favourites that you would like to try to propagate by root cuttings in the future.