How to Take Softwood Cuttings in Summer

There’s something profoundly satisfying about propagating plants from cuttings. The sense of creating life from a mere snippet of green is nothing short of magical. Softwood cuttings, taken in summer, are an excellent way to expand your garden with minimal expense.

Let’s start with what a softwood cutting is. It is a cutting taken from this year’s growth, which means that the wood is slightly bendy and often looks smooth and light-coloured. The older wood is darker and greyer and, well, harder. Yes, you can take cuttings from this too, but they’ll be hardwood cuttings.

In later summer, I’m looking at softwood cuttings that are starting to reach the end of their first year of growth and are starting to stiffen a bit at the base. These are semi-ripe.

If you got this far with a straight face, I applaud you. Stop sniggering at the back. We’re all grown ups.

Now, here’s how to do it, and why.

Why should you Take Softwood Cuttings?

1. Free plants & lots of them

Need I say more? Softwood cuttings allow you to propagate a vast array of plants without spending a fortune on new specimens. A single plant can provide bundles of cuttings, each with the potential to grow into a full-sized plant. (Ok, you probably won’t have a 100% strike rate, but no-one does. Take more than you think.)

This is even more satisfying if you have the opportunity to go around the gardens of family and friends and start to bring new and interesting gifted plants into your own garden. My mother has been away for a fortnight for her summer visit to Edinburgh which has given me ample opportunity.

By the way, if you try and take cuttings from a National Trust garden or an NGS open day, it’s not propagating, it’s stealing. You always see a couple of people with their pockets stuffed with twigs that mysteriously snapped off as they walked over to the tea and cake.

A note for those who are trying to reduce the amount they buy at garden centres: I am now a closed system for plant material (seeds and plants…) whilst I convert to organic, which means I can’t just pop out and start buying new shrubs and perennials to bulk up the borders. It’s cuttings or my own harvested seed only for me.

2. multiply your favourites 

I can’t be the only one who has lost the labels on a number of plants. I now cannot tell my Physocarpus ‘Diabolo’ from my P. ‘Summer Wine’. I have more Cotinus plants than is strictly necessary and there are some that I definitely like more than others.

By taking cuttings, you can make sure that your favourite plants continue to thrive in your garden. This is particularly useful for rare or unusual plants that may be difficult to replace, or just ones you really like but you can’t remember what they are called.

Also, remember that cuttings will be clones. Growing from seed can introduce and element of change if the flower cross-pollinates, but cuttings are guaranteed to be genetically identical to the mother plant.

3. It’s unbelievably satisfying when it works

The act of taking cuttings and nurturing them to maturity is therapeutic. It connects us with nature and provides a deep sense of accomplishment. As above, they won’t all take, or at least they don’t for me. However, count the ones that do, not the ones that don’t.

What You Need

Before diving into the process, gather your tools:

• Sharp, sterilized secateurs or a knife (wipe with white vinegar)

• Small pots, terracotta always works best

• Free-draining compost or a mixture of compost and perlite

• A clear plastic bag or propagator

• Labels and a pen

Choosing the Right Cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from new growth that is still flexible and hasn’t yet hardened. The best time to take these cuttings is summer, when the plant is actively growing. However, I find that they do just as well when they are starting to harden at the end of the season, hence me doing this on the first day of September.

Look for healthy, disease-free stems. The ideal cutting should be about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) long and should include several sets of leaves.

Taking the Cuttings

Make the Cut

Using your sterilized secateurs or knife, make a clean cut just below a leaf node (the point where the leaves attach to the stem). This is where the roots are most likely to develop. Ensure that your cutting has at least three sets of leaves.

Prepare the Cutting: 

Remove the lower leaves, leaving a bare stem at the bottom. This is where the roots will form. If the upper leaves are large, you can cut them in half to reduce water loss through transpiration.

Planting the Cuttings

1. Prepare the Pots: Fill small pots or seed trays with a free-draining compost or a mix of compost and perlite. Moisten the compost lightly.

2. Insert the Cuttings: Make a small hole in the compost with a pencil or dibber. Insert the cutting into the hole, ensuring that the bare stem is well-covered. Firm the compost around the cutting to provide support.

3. Create a Humid Environment: Place the pot or tray inside a clear plastic bag or propagator. This will help retain moisture and create a humid environment, which is crucial for root development. Ensure the plastic does not touch the leaves, as this can lead to rot.

4. Position and Care: Place the cuttings in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch the delicate cuttings. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.

What next?

1. Patience is Key: Over the next few weeks, check your cuttings regularly. Ensure they remain moist and remove any that show signs of mold or rot.

2. Check for Roots: After about 4-6 weeks, gently tug on the cuttings. If you feel resistance, it means roots are forming.

3. Planting out: Once the cuttings have developed a healthy root system, they can be transplanted into individual pots filled with potting compost. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours each day, increasing this over a week or two.

Today, I’m taking cuttings from:

• Rosa glauca

• Jostaberries

• Physocarpus

• Salvia uliginosa

• White currants

I’m not sure I am ready to try some of my new cotinus - they aren’t quite big enough yet for me to start lopping limbs off. However, maybe next year. I am also not taking cuttings of cornus, even though they are the easiest cuttings in the world. I now officially have enough.