A plant cutting is a section of stem, leaf, or root harvested from a parent plant to grow a genetically identical new individual. Success depends heavily on precise timing, as the plant’s internal physiology fluctuates throughout the year. Taking a cutting at the right moment ensures the material has the necessary hormones, stored energy, and moisture content to form new roots. Ignoring the plant’s natural biological cycle leads to low rooting rates or failure.
Timing Based on Stem Maturity (Softwood, Semi-Hardwood, and Hardwood)
The most common framework for timing woody plant cuttings is based on the maturity, or lignification, of the stem tissue. Softwood cuttings represent the earliest stage, consisting of new, flexible growth taken in late spring through early summer. This material is typically soft, bright green, and snaps easily when bent, indicating rapidly dividing cells and high concentrations of rooting hormones. Although softwood cuttings root quickly, they are highly susceptible to desiccation and require a consistently high-humidity environment.
As the season progresses, the growth hardens into semi-hardwood, collected from mid-summer into early fall. This wood is partially matured, with a firm base that begins to turn brown, while the tips remain flexible. Semi-hardwood cuttings balance the rapid rooting of softwood and the resilience of hardened wood, making them a popular choice for many deciduous shrubs and evergreens. They are less prone to wilting than softwood but may take additional weeks to develop a strong root system.
Hardwood cuttings are taken when the plant is fully dormant, usually after the leaves have dropped in late fall or throughout winter. This material is composed of fully matured, one-year-old stems that are woody and inflexible. These cuttings are the most resilient against cold and desiccation but require the longest time to root, often needing storage until spring before active root growth begins. Hardwood propagation is preferred for many fruit trees, vines, and deciduous hedges, leveraging the plant’s stored energy reserves.
Optimizing the Harvest Time (Daily Conditions and Plant Health)
Beyond the seasonal timing of stem maturity, the specific hour of harvest impacts a cutting’s viability. It is recommended to take cuttings in the early morning, shortly after sunrise. At this time, the plant’s vascular system is fully charged, resulting in the highest turgor pressure, or hydration, in the stems.
A well-hydrated cutting is less likely to suffer from wilting and stress immediately following separation from the parent plant. While carbohydrate reserves accumulate throughout the day via photosynthesis, the high-water content in the morning outweighs the advantage of later-day sugar levels for initial survival. This morning harvest also helps avoid the heat and high transpiration rates that occur midday, which can quickly lead to desiccation.
Preparing the parent plant the day before collection ensures the best material. Providing a thorough watering 12 to 24 hours prior to taking cuttings maximizes the plant’s hydration level. Harvesting should be avoided during periods of high heat or immediately following heavy rain, as the latter can temporarily dilute internal sugars and nutrients.
When to Take Non-Woody and Root Cuttings
Certain plant types fall outside the softwood and hardwood categories and require different timing rules for successful propagation. Herbaceous cuttings, taken from non-woody plants like perennials, annuals, and herbs, can often be harvested any time the plant is actively growing. Success is typically found when taking these cuttings before the plant begins to flower, as energy is diverted away from vegetative growth and into reproductive seed production.
Leaf cuttings, such as those used for African violets or Sansevieria, have the least seasonal restriction and can be taken at any point in the year. For optimal results, propagation is often done during spring and summer when warmer temperatures and higher light levels encourage faster growth and root development. Success requires selecting healthy, mature leaves that possess sufficient stored energy to form both new roots and new shoots.
Root cuttings follow a timing similar to hardwood cuttings, relying on the plant’s energy reserves during dormancy. The optimal time to take root cuttings is during the deepest period of dormancy, typically in late fall or winter, after the top growth has died back. This timing ensures the roots contain their maximum concentration of stored carbohydrates necessary to fuel the formation of new shoots and a new root system once planted. Disturbing the roots during the active growing season can stress the parent plant and reduce the viability of the cutting material.