Cuttings are a vegetative or asexual form of plant propagation. Stem cuttings are the most widely used type of cutting. A portion of the plant’s stem, along with its leaves (if present) and buds, is used to start a new plant. Stem cuttings can be taken from both herbaceous and woody plants.
Below are all the details for taking stem cuttings for many different landscape plants.
Herbaceous Stem Cuttings
Herbaceous stem cuttings are made from plants with no woody tissue. Coleus (Coleus), geranium (Pelargonium), stonecrop (Sedum), and mint (Mentha) are examples of plants that can be grown from herbaceous stem cuttings.
Propagating Herbaceous Plants from Stem Cuttings
Softwood Cuttings
Softwood cuttings are made from succulent new growth in spring before the stem turns woody. The stem should be somewhat pliable but mature enough so it snaps if bent sharply. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Dogwood (Cornus), and spirea (Spiraea) start readily from softwood cuttings.
Propagation of Deciduous Trees and Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings
Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
Semi-hardwood cuttings are made from partially lignified shoots of woody plants and collected from current year's growth in summer when the stem has just started to become woody. Typically, broadleaf evergreens such as holly (Ilex), eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), and roses (Rosa) root best at this growth stage.
Propagation of Deciduous Trees and Shrubs from Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
Hardwood Cuttings
Hardwood cuttings are taken from woody stems. They are taken during dormancy, generally from previous-season shoots that have hardened off. Many conifers are propagated by hardwood cuttings as are dogwood (Cornus), rhododendrons (Rhododendron), and viburnum (Viburnum).
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines from Hardwood Cuttings