There are several methods of growing plants from cuttings. And, different methods are better suited to propagating one type of plant over another. For instance, the method used to grow woody-stemmed plants differs from the methods used for herbaceous (non-woody) stemmed plants. The different methods for growing plants from cuttings are explained below.
Growing Cuttings in Water
By far, growing cuttings in water is one of the simplest methods. Typically, the plants that are best suited for propagation by this method have fleshy, herbaceous stems and a vining growth habit. House plants, such as philodendron and pothos, are grown in this manner.
Supplies:
- Sharp scissors, shears, or knife.
- Clear container, such as a glass jar or bottle.
- Clean water.
- Sunny area.
To harvest cuttings from the “mother” plant, select a vigorously growing and healthy stem. Starting from the tip of the stem where the new growth occurs, count down three nodes, and make your cut just below the third node. Multiple cuttings can be grown in the same container, so it is a good idea to take 2-3 cuttings at the same time. The node is where the leaves sprout from the stem. Remove the leaves from the bottom node. Then, place the cutting in the container filled with water and place it in a sunny windowsill. It can take a week or two before the roots begin to grow. Change the water if it becomes cloudy or discolored. Once the cutting(s) has vigorous root growth, the cutting may be transplanted to traditional soil medium.
Growing Herbaceous Cuttings in Soil
A variation of growing cuttings in water is growing them in soil. Again, this method is best suited for growing herbaceous plants such as geraniums.
Supplies:
- Sharp scissors, shears, or knife.
- Small pot or container with drainage holes.
- Clean potting soil.
- Clear plastic bag.
- Sunny area, but not direct sun.
Like the previous method, harvest the cutting(s) from a healthy stem, ensuring that your cutting has at least 3 nodes. Remove the leaves from the bottom node. Moisten the soil in the pot/container and simply stick the cutting in the soil. Multiple cuttings can be grown in the same container. Add more water if necessary; the soil should be moist, not wet. Place the entire container in a plastic bag. The plastic bag will ensure that the cuttings have a moist and warm environment to grow. Place the entire item in an area that is warm and sunny, but out of direct sunlight.
Check the plant periodically to make sure roots are growing. As roots emerge, gradually open the plastic bag to allow the plant to acclimate to the environment. Once adequate root growth is evident, remove the plant from the bag and transplant it to its final location.
Growing Woody-Stemmed Cuttings
Growing woody-stemmed cuttings is more time intensive than growing herbaceous cuttings. The method varies a little, but many of the basics remain the same. The ideal time of year to take cuttings from woody-stemmed plants is in the fall.
Supplies:
- Sharp shears, knife.
- Pencil.
- Rooting hormone.
- Clean pot or container with drainage holes.
- Clean potting soil.
- Plastic bag.
Select a healthy stem from the plant, preferably one that has growth from the previous summer. Cut a length of stem approximately 1-2 feet long just below a node. Multiple cuttings can be taken from the same stem, with each cutting at least 2-6 inches long. Using your pencil, mark the stem about 2 inches above the node. Remove the buds from the bottom 2 inches of the cuttings. Next, wound the stem by removing a 1-inch slice of bark from opposite sides of the base of the cutting. Apply rooting hormone to the wound and stick the cutting into damp soil.
Place the container with the cuttings into a plastic bag. The cuttings should be kept in a warm room. Check that the soil is staying moist, but not wet, and check every 2 weeks for root growth. As roots begin to emerge, acclimate the plant to the environment by gradually opening the plastic bag and eventually removing it all together.
Overall, it is easy to successfully grow plants from cuttings. Simply select the proper method for the type of cutting you would like to grow, and have patience.
Tips for Successfully Growing Cuttings
- Before taking the cutting from the plant, it is always a good idea to sterilize your scissors, knife, or shears. This applies to all methods of growing cuttings. Sterilizing your equipment will prevent the spread of disease, especially if it’s your dedicated garden implement. Simply wipe down the blade(s) with an alcohol pad or cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Or, you can soak your cutting implement in a 10% bleach-water solution or a 50% white vinegar-water solution for 30 minutes. It is also a good idea to sterilize pots or containers by soaking them in one of the solutions for at least 30 minutes.
- Preventing water loss is key in growing cuttings. Because water is the medium in the first method, water loss is not a concern. Cuttings need adequate water to produce roots, so it is important to monitor soil conditions. Soil should be kept moist, but not wet. Overly wet soil can encourage mold and disease, causing the cuttings to rot.
