How-to Guide
How to Take and Root Stem Cuttings
The short answer
Take a 4-6 inch cutting of healthy new growth, cutting just below a leaf node (where roots form). Strip the leaves off the bottom half, dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you have it, and push it into moist, well-drained media (perlite, vermiculite, sand, or a 50/50 mix). Cover with a clear bag or dome for humidity and keep it warm in bright, indirect light.
Roots usually form in a few weeks. When they're about an inch long, pot the cutting up into potting mix. Many soft-stemmed plants also root in a glass of water.
Step by step
- 1Cut below a node — Use clean, sharp scissors to take a 4-6 inch piece of new growth with 2-3 leaves, cutting just below a leaf node.
- 2Strip and prep — Remove leaves from the bottom half and pinch off any flowers or buds so the cutting puts energy into roots.
- 3Insert into moist media — Dip in rooting hormone (optional), then push the bare stem into moist perlite/vermiculite/sand or a 50/50 mix.
- 4Humidity + warmth — Tent a clear plastic bag over it, keep warm in bright indirect light (not hot direct sun), and keep the media moist.
- 5Pot up — When roots reach about 1 inch, transplant into potting mix.
→ Softwood/tip cuttings of many houseplants and herbs root easily; woody plants are slower and may need hormone and patience.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Iowa State University Extension — How to Propagate Houseplants by Stem Tip Cuttings — Take a 4-6 inch stem tip cutting below a node, remove lower leaves, insert into moist rooting media, and provide humidity; transplant when roots develop.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension — Propagation With Stem Cuttings — Cut just below a node where roots form, use a well-drained rooting medium such as perlite/vermiculite/sand, keep humid, and pot up once rooted.