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5 from 2 votes

How to Root Softwood Cuttings

Step-by-step instructions for taking cuttings from woody perennial plants to propagate new plants.
Total Time: 20 mins
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 6 Softwood cuttings per pot

Equipment

Instructions

Prepare Pot for Planting

  • Have your flower pot and organic soil-less potting mix ready.
    Water potting mix thoroughly and top up as needed.

Take Cutting from Donor Plant

  • Obtain your cutting in the morning, if possible, when stems are fully hydrated.Use a sharp, clean knife and cut just above a leaf node.
    Choose a new growth stem (from the current growing season) that does not have any buds or flowers. Be careful never to crush or squeeze the stems.
    Wrap cutting in damp paper towel and place in plastic bag or bin until next step.
    You can root up to 6 cuttings in one pot, so get a bunch of them.

Remove Lower Leaves

  • Remove each leaf and its stem.

Trim Stem

  • Trim stem directly below leaf nodes (where you just removed the lower leaves).

Apply Rooting Hormone

  • Only use rooting hormone if your cutting is tough or woody. Place small amount of rooting hormone powder on plate.Dip stem in rooting hormone powder.Gently tap off excess.

Plant Stem

  • Push stem into potting mix, approximately 2-inches deep (up to remaining leaf stems).
    The ideal position in the pot is against the inner wall.

Plant More

  • You can fit approximately 6 cuttings around the inside of a 6-inch pot.

Care & Growth

  • Keep soil moist, not soggy.Keep pot in a warm, sheltered location (to avoid drying out).
    Provide humidity, either by misting the cuttings twice daily or using greenhouse misting system.
    Growth rate varies by species and vigor of mother plant.
    Freshly-cut stems may wilt and look rather pathetic for the first week or so. 
    Don't panic: with even watering, they will perk up. In most cases, roots form after 4-6 weeks, which means the cuttings are ready for transplanting into individual pots.
    You may also notice new leaf growth (hooray!).
    After another month, plants should be ready for planting in the garden.

Notes

This method works for propagating many different plants during each active growth stage.