How to propagate using hardwood cuttings

Taking cuttings and learning how to propagate is one of the simplest ways to cultivate more plants from what you already have. When the weather cools, deciduous plants like hydrangeas, roses, wisteria and grapevines go dormant – this is the perfect time for taking ‘hardwood cuttings’, which use mature, woody stems as propagation material.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Q: What are hardwood cuttings?

These cuttings of mature, woody stems can take time to develop roots and shoots, but are generally tougher and more robust than softer, younger stems, making them a trusty way to grow new plants.

Q: What are the best plants to propagate using hardwood cuttings?

Hardwood cuttings work well for most deciduous shrubs, climbers and a wide range of groundcovers. Try:

• Fig
• Roses
• Hydrangeas
• Wisteria
• Lilac
• Hebe
• Grapes
• Virginia creeper
• Mulberry
• Forsythia
• Gooseberry
• Quince

If you want to take cuttings from evergreen plants, softer or semi-hardwood sections taken during the warmer months are usually more successful.

Q: When is the best time to take hardwood cuttings of my plants for propagation?

The best time to take hardwood cuttings is after leaf drop and before new buds start to swell, usually from mid-autumn to late winter.

How to propagate using hardwood cuttings: Step-by-step

Step one: Select healthy, mature stems that are firm, woody and about pencil-thick.

Step two: Using a pair of sharp, clean secateurs, clip them into sections 15-25cm long, ensuring each one has at least three nodes (the points along a stem where leaves or buds emerge).

Step three: Remove all soft growth, side shoots and remaining leaves.

Step four: Make a slanted cut at the top just above a node and a straight cut at the base below a node. The angled top helps shed water while acting as a simple visual cue for which end should face up.

How to grow plants from cuttings: Step-by-step

Step one: Fill a pot with propagation mix.

Step two: Dip the base of the cutting into a rooting hormone powder or gel, then use a dibber or your finger to make a hole in the mix – this helps avoid damaging the stem or rubbing off the hormone.

Step three: Insert the cutting into the hole, burying around two-thirds of its length before gently firming the mix around it.

Step four: Position cuttings in a sheltered, brightly lit spot out of direct sun. Water as needed to keep the mix lightly moist. After a few months – or sometimes longer – new growth should appear on the stems, which is a good sign that roots are forming. Once growth is well underway, your new plants can be carefully potted on into larger containers filled with good quality potting mix.

Tip: You can plant several cuttings in the same pot, spacing them so they don’t touch.

Which fruits are good to propagate using hardwood cuttings?

If you grow these in your yard, take cuttings now to boost your next crop:

Blueberries: Most varieties are deciduous. Hardwood cuttings are best taken once the majority of leaves have fallen and growth has slowed. Timing may vary with variety and local climate, but this is usually in late autumn to winter.

Grapes: Both ornamental and edible and varieties are suitable for hardwood propagation. Take cuttings from one-year-old stems (last season’s growth) for the best chance of success.

Raspberries: Dormant canes are ideal for hardwood cuttings, but for a quicker start, use suckers – the new shoots that emerge from the base of the plant. Gently dig around a healthy sucker with some roots attached, carefully separate it from the parent and plant into a pot or garden bed.

Keep in mind…

Take care when selecting your plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets.

Wear gloves and a mask when handling mulch, compost and potting mix and also when pruning, along with long sleeves, as the leaves and sap of some plants can be a skin irritant and/or cause allergic reactions.

Want to grow your rose garden for free?

Check out this guide on how to plant and propagate roses.

Photo credit: Sue Stubbs.