Quick answer: To root cuttings reliably, take a healthy, non-flowering shoot, cut it cleanly just below a leaf node, dip it in rooting gel, and push it into a pre-soaked plug or pellet. Keep cuttings warm, humid and under gentle light in a propagator, and avoid overwatering. A heat mat on a thermostat speeds rooting in cooler rooms, and a low-power clone LED gives the right light without stressing them. Many soft cuttings root in one to three weeks, but it varies by plant.
Why propagate your own plants?
Taking cuttings lets you make new plants that are identical to a parent you already like, whether that is a productive chilli, a tasty basil or a favourite houseplant. It is cheap, quick once you have the knack, and very satisfying. Seeds can be started the same way, using the same kit.
What you need
- A propagator: a tray with a clear lid that holds humidity around the cuttings. The Garland XL High Propagator measures 58cm x 40.5cm x 22.5cm, and its tall lid gives taller cuttings and seedlings room to grow.
- A rooting medium: plugs, pellets or cubes. Jiffy 7 peat pellets expand when soaked and can be planted on without disturbing the roots. Plug Life Peatmix trays hold 104 plugs, have a stable pH of 5.7 and carry enough food for the first 3 weeks.
- Rooting gel: Clonex rooting gel coats and seals the cut stem and contains rooting hormones.
- A clean, sharp blade: a scalpel or sharp scissors, wiped clean between plants.
- Gentle light: a propagation LED or a bright spot out of direct sun.
- Warmth: a warm room, or a heat mat on a thermostat.
If you would rather buy it all at once, our propagation kit includes the Garland XL High Propagator, an Omega 18W Clone LED twin pack, 50 Jiffy 7 pellets, Clonex rooting gel and a litre of Canna Start.
How to take and root cuttings, step by step
- Prepare the medium first. Soak your pellets or plugs so they are evenly moist but not dripping. Squeeze gently; a few drops is about right.
- Choose a healthy shoot. Pick a firm, healthy, non-flowering stem with a few sets of leaves. Avoid weak, damaged or pest-affected growth.
- Cut cleanly. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node (where a leaf joins the stem). Many growers cut at a slight angle for more surface area.
- Trim the leaves. Remove lower leaves so the stem has a clear section to go into the plug. On large-leaved plants, trimming the remaining leaves by a third or so reduces water loss.
- Dip in rooting gel. Dip the cut end into a small amount of Clonex poured into a separate pot, not straight into the tub, so you do not contaminate the rest.
- Insert into the plug. Push the stem gently into the pre-made hole, so the gel stays on the stem.
- Cover and label. Put the cuttings in the propagator, close the lid and label them with the plant and date.
Getting the conditions right
Humidity
Cuttings have no roots, so they cannot replace water quickly. A closed propagator lid keeps the air humid while they root. Open the vents a little each day once you see new growth, so they get used to drier air gradually. Canna say Rhizotonic can be sprayed on cuttings or seedlings 1 to 6 times a day until roots establish. Clonex Mist is another option made for cuttings and can be used with or without Clonex gel.
Warmth and heat mats
Roots form faster when the root zone is warm. In a cold UK room, especially in autumn and winter, cuttings can sit for weeks without rooting. A propagation heat mat placed under the tray gently warms the plugs from below. Always run a heat mat through a thermostat, such as the Grow Gadgets thermostat controller, which can switch heat mats and has a probe you can place among the plugs. This stops the root zone overheating, which can be as harmful as being too cold.
Ask in store about the right heat mat for your propagator size.
Light
Cuttings need light to keep photosynthesising, but not much. Too much light while they have no roots stresses them. Low-power LEDs made for propagation are ideal.
- The Omega 9W Clone LED twin pack gives 17 µmol/s per strip with a cool, high colour temperature (around 9000K) that keeps young plants compact.
- The Omega 18W Clone LED twin pack gives 36 µmol/s per strip for larger propagation areas. Omega recommend mounting around 20 to 30cm above the plants and spacing strips about 25 to 30cm apart.
Browse all our propagation grow lights.
Water
Overwatering is the most common reason cuttings fail. Soggy plugs have no air in them, and stems rot instead of rooting. Keep the medium moist, not wet, and let it lighten slightly before watering again. Water from below, into the tray, rather than over the top.
When are cuttings ready to move on?
Look for white roots coming out of the sides or bottom of the plug, and new leaf growth at the top. At that point you can pot them on into your main medium. Many soft cuttings, like basil, mint and tomato side shoots, root within one to three weeks; woodier plants, like roses and lavender, can take a good deal longer. Be patient, and do not tug cuttings to check.
Once rooted, young plants appreciate a mild feed. Canna Start is made for seedlings and newly rooted cuttings; Canna list a dose of around 4ml per litre, with some growers using a milder 2ml per litre for very young plants. Move on to your normal feed once you see healthy roots and new growth.
Plants that are easy to root
- Basil, mint, rosemary and oregano
- Tomato side shoots
- Chillies and peppers (a little slower)
- Houseplants such as pothos, tradescantia and many succulents
- Geraniums, fuchsias and other bedding plants
Troubleshooting
- Cuttings wilting badly: humidity is too low or the light is too strong. Close the vents and dim or raise the light.
- Stems going black or mushy: too wet or too cold. Ease off watering and add gentle bottom heat.
- No roots after several weeks: usually too cold. Check the root zone temperature.
- Mould on the surface: not enough fresh air. Open the vents for a few minutes each day and clear away dropped leaves.
FAQs
How long do cuttings take to root?
It depends on the plant and the conditions. Many soft, leafy cuttings root in one to three weeks in a warm, humid propagator. Woody cuttings can take much longer.
Do I need rooting gel?
Many plants will root without it, but a gel such as Clonex seals the cut and contains rooting hormones, which generally improves your success rate.
Do I need a heat mat?
In a warm room, not always. In a cool UK house from autumn to spring, a heat mat on a thermostat makes a big difference to how quickly cuttings root.
Can I root cuttings in water instead?
Some plants, like mint and pothos, root happily in a glass of water. Roots grown in water can struggle when moved to a medium, though, so plugs or pellets usually give stronger young plants.
Start your propagation setup
See our propagation range, or visit us at Unit 2 BlackLake, West Bromwich, B70 0PJ. You can also call 0121 553 7872 or WhatsApp us for advice. Free UK delivery over £99, and we price match.