Growing plants and herbs from cuttings is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to expand your garden.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner looking to save money on buying new plants, propagation through cuttings offers a reliable and rewarding experience.
Instead of starting from seeds, which can be slow and sometimes inconsistent, cuttings give you a genetic clone of the parent plant—meaning you know exactly what to expect in terms of growth, flavor, and appearance.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 plants and herbs you can grow easily from cuttings, including the types of cuttings to take, ideal conditions for rooting, and care tips to ensure successful propagation.
Why Grow Plants from Cuttings?
There are several benefits to growing plants from cuttings:
- Faster growth compared to growing from seeds
- Guaranteed replication of the parent plant’s traits
- Cost-effective way to grow new plants
- Preservation of heirloom or rare varieties
- Fun and educational for both kids and adults
Whether you’re expanding your indoor collection or creating a lush outdoor garden, propagation is an essential gardening skill.
What You Need to Start Propagating
Before diving into the plant list, here are a few basic tools and materials you’ll need:
- Sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Clean glass jars or pots
- Fresh potting soil or water (depending on the plant)
- Rooting hormone (optional but helpful)
- Spray bottle for misting
- Labels to track cuttings
15 Plants and Herbs You Can Grow from Cuttings
1. Basil
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water or soil
Time to Root: 7–14 days
Basil is one of the easiest herbs to propagate. Simply snip a 4–6 inch piece just below a leaf node, remove the lower leaves, and place it in a jar of water near a sunny window. Once roots form, transplant into a pot or garden bed.
2. Mint
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water
Time to Root: 10–15 days
Mint is highly invasive when grown in soil, but easy to propagate in water. Take a cutting below a node, and within two weeks, you’ll see fine roots forming. Great for windowsill gardens.
3. Rosemary
Type: Semi-hardwood cutting
Rooting Method: Soil or water
Time to Root: 2–4 weeks
Cut a 4–6 inch piece from new growth, strip the bottom leaves, and plant in soil or place in water. Rosemary prefers warm temperatures and high humidity while rooting.
4. Oregano
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water or soil
Time to Root: 7–10 days
Oregano can be propagated easily in water. Use cuttings from non-flowering shoots for best results. Once rooted, pot them up and keep in a sunny spot.
5. Thyme
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Soil
Time to Root: 2–3 weeks
Thyme cuttings should be taken from non-woody stems. Place in well-draining potting mix, keep moist, and cover with a humidity dome or plastic bag for best results.
6. Sage
Type: Semi-hardwood cutting
Rooting Method: Soil
Time to Root: 2–3 weeks
Take 4-inch cuttings from new growth. Dip the ends in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting soil. Place in indirect light and keep the soil moist until roots develop.
7. Lavender
Type: Semi-hardwood cutting
Rooting Method: Soil
Time to Root: 3–6 weeks
Lavender prefers cuttings from newer growth. Strip the lower leaves, apply rooting hormone, and place in sandy or well-draining soil. Mist occasionally to maintain humidity.
8. Lemon Balm
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water
Time to Root: 1–2 weeks
Closely related to mint, lemon balm roots quickly in water. Once roots appear, transplant to soil. It prefers partial sun and moist conditions.
9. Tomatoes
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water or soil
Time to Root: 7–10 days
Surprisingly, tomatoes are easy to propagate from suckers (those small stems between the main stem and branches). Place them in water or soil and they’ll root quickly.
10. Peppers (Sweet and Hot)
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Soil
Time to Root: 2–3 weeks
Peppers can be grown from stem cuttings, although it’s less common than starting from seed. Use cuttings from healthy, mature plants and root them in a warm, humid environment.
11. Sweet Potatoes (Slips)
Type: Tuber cutting
Rooting Method: Water
Time to Root: 2–4 weeks
Place half a sweet potato in water with toothpicks and wait for sprouts (slips) to form. Once 4–6 inches long, remove slips and root them in water or soil.
12. African Violets
Type: Leaf cutting
Rooting Method: Soil or water
Time to Root: 3–4 weeks
Take a healthy leaf with a small piece of stem. Plant in moist soil or place in water. African violets are one of the few flowering houseplants that propagate easily from leaves.
13. Pothos
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water
Time to Root: 10–14 days
A popular indoor plant, pothos can be propagated by placing 4–6 inch cuttings in water. Change the water weekly. Once roots form, transfer to soil.
14. Coleus
Type: Soft stem cutting
Rooting Method: Water
Time to Root: 1–2 weeks
Known for its colorful foliage, coleus roots quickly in water. Take cuttings before the plant flowers for best results.
15. Geraniums
Type: Soft or semi-hardwood cutting
Rooting Method: Soil
Time to Root: 2–3 weeks
Take 3–4 inch cuttings, let them air dry for a few hours, and then plant in moist potting soil. Geraniums are forgiving and root well without much fuss.
Tips for Successful Propagation
- Use sterilized tools to prevent the spread of disease.
- Remove lower leaves to reduce moisture loss and rot.
- Avoid direct sunlight until roots are established.
- Keep humidity high with a plastic bag or humidity dome.
- Be patient. Rooting can take days to several weeks, depending on the plant.
Whether you want a thriving herb garden, more indoor plants, or simply enjoy the challenge of growing new plants from existing ones, propagating from cuttings is a practical, rewarding skill.
It saves money, reduces waste, and gives you more control over your garden’s design and productivity.
With just a little time, the right materials, and some care, these 15 plants and herbs can be easily grown from cuttings—bringing you closer to a more sustainable and lush home environment.
