You’ve successfully rooted your plant cuttings in water…now what? Not quite sure when to transfer your cuttings to soil? Stick around, and I’ll give you my best tips on how (and when) to pot up your cuttings!
Propagating plants from cuttings is an easy and affordable way to get new plants Rather than buying new plants, you can root cuttings from plants you already have or obtain cuttings from friends This allows you to expand your plant collection without spending much money.
Many gardeners wonder – can you put cuttings straight into soil? Or do you have to start them in water first? The answer depends on the type of plant. Some plants root readily in soil, while others do better starting in water. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk through the steps for rooting cuttings in water and soil to help you determine the best method for your plant cuttings.
What is a Plant Cutting?
A plant cutting is a piece of a plant that is removed and used to grow a whole new plant. Stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and root cuttings are the most common types of cuttings.
Stem cuttings include a piece of stem with leaves still attached. Leaf cuttings are just the leaf blade or leaf petiole. Root cuttings are taken from the plant’s root system. The cutting is placed in either water or potting soil to encourage new root growth before being transplanted into a pot or garden.
Benefits of Propagating from Cuttings
Taking cuttings from plants and rooting them offers several advantages:
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It’s faster than growing from seed. Cuttings use the established root system of the parent plant to develop roots more quickly.
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You can propagate your favorite plants, Use cuttings to clone your best performing or sentimental plants
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It’s inexpensive. You don’t need special equipment. All you need is a cutting, water or potting mix, and a container.
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Portability. Once rooted, cuttings are easy to gift or transport to a new home.
How to Take a Cutting
Follow these tips for taking healthy cuttings that will root successfully:
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Use a sharp, clean knife or pruners to prevent crushing or tearing. Make a smooth cut at a 45 degree angle.
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For stem cuttings, select healthy, non-flowering shoots around 4-6 inches long. The stem should be firm with green bark rather than thin and brittle.
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Avoid woody parts of the stem that are hard, hollow, or darker brown in color as these don’t root well.
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Make the lower cut just below a node or joint where leaves emerge. This is where new roots will develop.
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Strip off the lower leaves so you have a bare stem section of 1-2 inches for inserting into water/soil.
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Optionally dip the bare end in rooting hormone to stimulate root growth.
Rooting Cuttings in Water
Many plants will readily root in plain water. Starting cuttings in water allows you to easily monitor root development. We recommend trying water propagation first with these plants:
- Pothos
- Philodendrons
- Coleus
- Basil
- Fuchsias
- African violets
- Begonias
- Geraniums
Follow these steps to root cuttings in water:
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Fill a small jar, vase, or other container with room temperature water.
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Insert the cut end of the cutting into the water so the bare stem section is fully submerged.
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Place in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Change the water every few days to prevent rot.
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Look for new white roots to sprout from the nodes within 1-6 weeks. Roots at least an inch long indicate it’s ready to pot up.
Rooting Cuttings Directly in Soil
Many plants can be rooted directly into potting mix without starting them in water first. Rooting in soil retains moisture better than water and provides nutrients to support new root growth. Try soil propagation with these plants:
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Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme
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Succulents such as Burro’s Tail, Echeveria, and Sedum
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Shrubs and vines including hydrangea, honeysuckle, and magnolia
Follow these tips when rooting cuttings in potting mix:
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Use a lightweight, sterile potting mix for the best drainage and to prevent disease.
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Moisten the soil before inserting cuttings. It should be damp but not soggy wet.
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Poke holes in the soil using a pencil or chopstick. Insert the cuttings 1-2 inches deep.
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Water gently to settle soil around the cuttings. Cover with a plastic bag to boost humidity.
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not wet. Water when the top inch becomes dry.
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New roots should emerge in 2-12 weeks depending on the plant. Don’t disturb cuttings until well-rooted.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Here are some common issues you may encounter and how to fix them:
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Rotting stems – This is caused by excessive moisture. Allow cuttings and soil to dry out somewhat before watering again.
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Leaves falling off – Dry air can cause leaf loss. Boost humidity around cuttings with a plastic bag or humidifier.
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No new roots – Inadequate moisture, using woody stems, or low temperatures can prevent rooting. Use younger stems, keep soil moist, and provide warmth.
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Algae growth in water – Change water more frequently and use filtered water if possible. Keep cuttings out of direct sun.
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Moldy or shriveled cuttings – Immediately re-cut stems and place in fresh water or soil. Disinfect propagation area.
Caring for Newly Rooted Cuttings
Once your cuttings have developed a robust root system, they’re ready to pot up or transplant into the garden. Here’s how to ensure continued success:
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Gently loosen any root mass and tease apart tangled roots before planting.
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Choose a pot with drainage holes using an appropriate potting mix. Plant the cutting at the same depth it was rooted.
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Keep the plant evenly moist but not soaked. Water when soil is partly dry.
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Gradually expose plant to higher light levels to harden growth before moving outdoors.
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Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer to provide nutrients and boost establishment.
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Transplant into garden after hardening off when outdoor temperatures are warm and stable.
Enjoy Unlimited Free Plants!
Learning how to root plant cuttings in water or soil opens up unlimited opportunities to expand your indoor and outdoor plant collections. Share cuttings with gardening friends and trade for new varieties. Experiment with various propagation techniques to discover which plants root best in water vs. soil. Soon you’ll have beautiful plants for free!
Are The Roots Long Enough?
I’ve done a lot of propagating over the years with a variety of plants. I’ve tested different root lengths for transfer to soil, and came up with this rule of “green thumb”. For the best success rate, roots should be at least two to four inches long before transferring to soil.
You can absolutely wait until the roots are longer, but I’ve found the sweet spot to be about 2″-4″ long.
What Size Pot Is Best To Use?
It’s really important to use a pot that is relatively the same size as the root system. You want to give the roots room to grow, but not so big that the roots have a hard time retaining all the water. I use a pot that is about 2”-3” bigger around than the root system. Don’t forget to use a pot WITH a drainage hole. If you have a pot with no drainage hole, you can drill your own hole.
If the roots are about 2” long, then I would use a 4” pot. If the roots were 4” long, then I would use a standard 6” pot. And so on…
BEST Way To Move Water Rooted Cuttings To Soil
FAQ
Can I put cuttings directly into soil?
You can put a cutting into a fresh pot of soil or try rooting them in water, but it’s often best to put the cutting straight into soil.Oct 7, 2024
Can you plant cuttings straight away?
Check on the cutting regularly. When you see signs of growth, remove the plastic bag and water the cutting. It should be ready to pot on in a few weeks.
Is it better to root cuttings in water or soil?
Roots formed in water can only take oxygen from water. Once you plant them in soil, they are totally useless to the cutting and will rot. Sometime that rot goes right up the stem and rots the cutting as well. Roots formed in soil can only take oxygen from air ( there are lots of air pockets in soil).
How long does it take for cuttings to root in soil?
The cuttings will begin growing roots from the nodes within a week, and the cuttings will be ready to plant in pots within 3 weeks! Sometimes some cuttings are slower, though, so just keep those in water until the roots are about as long as the cutting itself.