Types of Stem Cuttings Skip to Types of Stem Cuttings The four main types of stem cuttings are herbaceous, softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood. These terms reflect the growth stage of the stock plant, which is one of the most important factors influencing whether or not cuttings will root. Calendar dates are useful only as guidelines. Refer to Table 1 for more information on the best time to root stem cuttings of particular ornamental plants. Table 1. Optimum stage of tissue (wood) maturity for rooting stem cuttings of selected woody ornamentals. Common Name Scientific Name Type of Cutting (SW = softwood, SH = semi-hardwood, HW = hardwood) Evergreen Plants Abelia Abelia spp. SH, HW Arborvitae, American Thuja occidentalis SH, HW Arborvitae, Oriental Platycladus orientalis SW Azalea (evergreen & semi-evergreen) Rhododendron spp. SH Barberry, Mentor Berberis x mentorensis SH Barberry, Japanese Berberis thunbergii SH, HW Barberry, wintergreen Berberis julianae SH Boxwood, littleleaf Buxus microphylla SH, HW Boxwood, common Buxus sempervirens SH, HW Camelia Camelia spp. SW, SH, HW Ceanothus Ceanothus spp. SW, SH, HW Cedar Cedrus spp. SH, HW Chamaecyparis; False cypress Chamaecyparis spp. SH, HW Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp. SW, SH Cryptomeria, Japanese Cryptomeria japonica SH Daphne Daphne spp. SH Elaeagnus, thorny Elaeagnus pungens SH English ivy Hedera helix SH, HW Euonymus Euonymus spp. SH Fir Abies spp. SW, HW Gardenia; Cape jasmine Gardenia jasminoides SW, SH Heath Erica spp. SW, SH Hemlock Tsuga spp. SW, SH, HW Holly, Chinese Ilex cornuta SH, HW Holly, Foster's Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri' SH Holly, American Ilex opaca SH Holly, Yaupon Ilex vomitoria SH, HW Holly, English Ilex aquifolium SH Holly, Japanese Ilex crenata SH, HW Jasmine Jasminum spp. SH Juniper, creeping Juniperus horizontalis SH, HW Juniper, Chinese Juniperus Chinensis SH, HW Juniper, shore Juniperus conferta SH, HW Leyland cypress x Cupressocyparis leylandii SH, HW Magnolia Mahonia spp. SH Oleander Nerium oleander SH Osmanthus, holly Osmanthus heterophyllus Sh, HW Photinia Photinia spp. SH, HW Pine, Mugo Pinus mugo SH Pine, Eastern white Pinus strobus HW Pittosporum Pittosporum spp. SH Podocarpus Podocarpus spp. SH Privet Ligustrunum spp. SW, SH, HW Pyracantha; Firethorn Pyracantha spp. SH Rhododendron Rhododendron spp. SH, HW Spruce Picea spp. SW, HW Viburnum Viburnum spp. SW, HW Yew Taxus spp. SH, HW Common Name Scientific Name Type of Cutting (SW = softwood, SH = semi-hardwood, HW = hardwood) Deciduous Trees Azalea (deciduous) Rhododendron spp. SW Basswood; American linden Tilia americana SW Birch Betula spp. SW Bittersweet Celastrus spp. SW, SH, HW Blueberry Vaccinium spp. SW, HW Broom Cytisus spp. SW, HW Callery pear Pyrus calleryana SH Catalpa Catalpa spp. SW Clematis Clematis spp. SW, SH Crabapple Malus app. SW, SH Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica SH Cherry, flowering Prunus spp. SW, SH Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides SW, SH Deutzia Deutzia spp. SW, HW Dogwood Cornus spp. SW, SH Elderberry Sambucus spp. SW Elm Ulmus spp. SW Euonymus Euonymus spp. HW Forsythia Forsythia spp. SW, SH, HW Fringe tree Chioanthus spp. SW Ginkgo, Maidenhair tree Ginkgo biloba SW Goldenrain tree Koelreuteria spp. SW Hibiscus, Chinese Hibiscus rosa-sinensis SW, SH Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos HW Honeysuckle Lonicera spp. SW, HW Hydrangea Hydrangea spp. SW, HW Ivy, Boston Parthenocussus tricuspidata SW, HW Larch Larix spp. SW Lilac Syringa spp. SW Maple Acer spp. SW, SH Mock orange Philadelphus spp. SW, HW Mulberry Morus spp. SW Poplar; Aspen; Cottonwood Populus spp. SW, HW Poplar, Yellow; Tulip tree; Tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipfera SH Quince, flowering Chaenomeles spp. SH Redbud Cercis spp. SW Rose of Sharon; Shrub-althea Hibiscus syriacus SW, HW Rose Rosa spp. SW, SH, HW Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia HW Serviceberry Amelanchier spp. SW Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria SW Spirea Spiraea spp. SW St. Johnswort Hypericum spp. SW Sumac Rhus spp. SW Sweet gum Liquidambar styraciflua SW Trumpet creeper Campsis spp. SW, SH, HW Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia SW, HW Weigela Weigela spp. SW, HW Willow Salix app. SW, SH, HW Wisteria Wisteria spp. SW Herbaceous cuttings are made from non-woody, herbaceous plants such as coleus, chrysanthemums, and dahlia. A 3- to 5-inch piece of stem is cut from the parent plant. The leaves on the lower one-third to one-half of the stem are removed. A high percentage of the cuttings root, and they do so quickly. Softwood cuttings are prepared from soft, succulent, new growth of woody plants, just as it begins to harden (mature). Shoots are suitable for making softwood cuttings when they can be snapped easily when bent and when they still have a gradation of leaf size (oldest leaves are mature while newest leaves are still small). For most woody plants, this stage occurs in May, June, or July. The soft shoots are quite tender, and extra care must be taken to keep them from drying out. The extra effort pays off, because they root quickly. Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually prepared from partially mature wood of the current season’s growth, just after a flush of growth. This type of cutting normally is made from mid-July to early fall. The wood is reasonably firm and the leaves of mature size. Many broadleaf evergreen shrubs and some conifers are propagated by this method. Hardwood cuttings are taken from dormant, mature stems in late fall, winter, or early spring. Plants generally are fully dormant with no obvious signs of active growth. The wood is firm and does not bend easily. Hardwood cuttings are used most often for deciduous shrubs but can be used for many evergreens. Examples of plants propagated at the hardwood stage include forsythia, privet, fig, grape, and spirea. The three types of hardwood cuttings are straight, mallet, and heel (Figure 3). A straight cutting is the most commonly used stem cutting. Mallet and heel cuttings are used for plants that might otherwise be more difficult to root. For the heel cutting, a small section of older wood is included at the base of the cutting. For the mallet cutting, an entire section of older stem wood is included. × Figure 3. The three types of hardwood cuttings are straight, mallet, and heel. Print Image

Procedures for Rooting Stem Cuttings Skip to Procedures for Rooting Stem Cuttings Cuttings should generally consist of the current or past season’s growth. Avoid material with flower buds if possible. Remove any flowers and flower buds when preparing cuttings so the cutting’s energy can be used in producing new roots rather than flowers. Take cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants, preferably from the upper part of the plant. The fertility status of the stock (parent) plant can influence rooting. Avoid taking cuttings from plants that show symptoms of mineral nutrient deficiency. Conversely, plants that have been fertilized heavily, particularly with nitrogen, may not root well. The stock plant should not be under moisture stress. In general, cuttings taken from young plants root in higher percentages than cuttings taken from older, more mature plants. Cuttings from lateral shoots often root better than cuttings from terminal shoots. Early morning is the best time to take cuttings, because the plant is fully turgid. It is important to keep the cuttings cool and moist until they are stuck. An ice chest or dark plastic bag with wet paper towels may be used to store cuttings. If there will be a delay in sticking cuttings, store them in a plastic bag in a refrigerator. While terminal parts of the stem are best, a long shoot can be divided into several cuttings. Cuttings are generally 4 to 6 inches long. Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket knife or sharp pruning shears. If necessary, dip the cutting tool in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent transmitting diseases from infected plant parts to healthy ones. Remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the cutting (Figure 4). On large-leafed plants, the remaining leaves may be cut in half to reduce water loss and conserve space. Species difficult to root should be wounded. Treating cuttings with root-promoting compounds can be a valuable tool in stimulating rooting of some plants that might otherwise be difficult to root. Prevent possible contamination of the entire supply of rooting hormone by putting some in a separate container before treating cuttings. Any material that remains after treatment should be discarded and not returned to the original container. Be sure to tap the cuttings to remove excess hormone when using a powder formulation. The rooting medium should be sterile, low in fertility, and well-drained to provide sufficient aeration. It should also retain enough moisture so that watering does not have to be done too frequently. Materials commonly used are coarse sand, a mixture of one part peat and one part perlite (by volume), or one part peat and one part sand (by volume). Vermiculite by itself is not recommended, because it compacts and tends to hold too much moisture. Media should be watered while being used. Insert the cuttings one-third to one-half their length into the medium. Maintain the vertical orientation of the stem (do not insert the cuttings upside down). Make sure the buds are pointed up. Space cuttings just far enough apart to allow all leaves to receive sunlight. Water again after inserting the cuttings if the containers or frames are 3 or more inches in depth. Cover the cuttings with plastic and place in indirect light. Avoid direct sun. Keep the medium moist until the cuttings have rooted. Rooting will be improved if the cuttings are misted on a regular basis. Rooting time varies with the type of cutting, the species being rooted, and environmental conditions. Conifers require more time than broadleaf plants. Late fall or early winter is a good time to root conifers. Once rooted, they may be left in the rooting structure until spring. Newly rooted cuttings should not be transplanted directly into the landscape. Instead, transplant them into containers or into a bed. Growing them to a larger size before transplanting to a permanent location will increase the chances for survival. × Figure 4. Remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the cutting. Print Image

For Further Reading Skip to For Further Reading Bryant, G. 1995. Propagation Handbook. Stackpole Books: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Dirr, M. A. and C. W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation: From Seed to Tissue Culture. Varsity Press: Athens, Georgia.

Hartmann, H. T., D. E. Kester, F. T. Davies and R. L. Geneve. 1996. Plant Propagation, Principles and Practices. 6th ed. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

McMillan Browse, P. D. A. 1978. Plant Propagation. Simon and Schuster: New York.

Toogood, A. 1993. Plant Propagation Made Easy. Timber Press: Portland, Oregon.

Authors Ervin Evans Extension Associate (Consumer Horticulture)

Horticultural Science Frank Blazich Professor

Horticultural Science

Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites: Community Gardens Extension Gardener Gardening Horticulture