Plant Cuttings
A cutting is the cheapest way to get an exact copy of a named variety. It's a piece of the parent plant, so it grows true, which seed often doesn't. Rooted cuttings already have roots and go straight into a pot. Unrooted cuttings cost less, but you'll root them yourself. That's easy for figs, succulents, pothos, monstera and snake plants, and slower for woody plants like roses.
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How to choose a cutting
- Rooted vs unrooted: pick rooted for rare or slow plants, and unrooted for easy rooters when you'd rather save money.
- Nodes matter. Monstera, philodendron and pothos cuttings must include a node. A leaf alone won't grow a new plant.
- Hardwood vs softwood: fig, grape and willow hardwood cuttings ship dormant in winter and root in spring. Softwood and succulent cuttings root faster in warm months.
- Variegated plants: snake plant leaf cuttings often lose their yellow edge. Buy those as rooted plants or divisions instead.
How to root an unrooted cutting
- Unpack it right away. Trim a fresh cut just below a node on woody or vining cuttings.
- Succulents and cacti only: let the cut end dry and callus for 2 to 5 days first.
- Dip the cut end in rooting gel or hormone (skip it for succulents).
- Set it in a light, airy mix like perlite, coco and perlite, or damp sphagnum, or in water for pothos and monstera.
- Keep it warm (70 to 80°F), bright but out of direct sun, and humid. A clear dome or bag helps leafy cuttings.
- Check for roots in 2 to 6 weeks with a gentle tug or by looking through the pot. Pot it up once roots are 1 to 2 inches long.
FAQ
How long do cuttings take to root?
Pothos and coleus take 1 to 2 weeks. Monstera, figs and succulents take 2 to 6 weeks. Woody plants like roses can take 6 to 10 weeks.
Water or soil for rooting?
Water works well for aroids and pothos. Succulents, figs and woody cuttings root better in a light, barely damp mix.
My cutting arrived wilted. Is it dead?
Usually not. Give leafy cuttings a few hours in water to rehydrate, then plant them. Succulent cuttings are meant to arrive a little dry.
Will a cutting flower or fruit like the parent?
Yes. It's genetically identical, so a named fig or rose cutting gives you exactly that variety.
Related collections
Live Plants · Rooting Gels and Hormones · Cloning Machines · Propagation Trays and Plugs
