Softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings – when should you use them?
Softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings – when should you use them?
Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the most rewarding ways to expand your garden. But not all cuttings are the same – and the timing of when you take them can make all the difference. The three main types – softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings – differ in texture, season and use. Here’s a guide to when and how to use each type in Australian conditions.
Softwood cuttings – spring and early summer growth
Softwood cuttings are taken from young, tender shoots that haven’t yet turned woody. In most parts of Australia, this means late spring to early summer, when plants are growing vigorously. Because the tissue is still soft, these cuttings root quickly, but they also dry out easily and need consistent humidity.
How to do it:
- Cut a fresh shoot 5–10 cm long, just below a leaf node.
- Remove the lower leaves so that a few bare nodes are exposed.
- Place the cutting in moist propagation mix or perlite, and cover it with a clear plastic dome or bag to retain humidity.
- Keep it in bright, indirect light – avoid harsh midday sun.
Good plants for softwood cuttings: basil, pelargoniums, coleus, lavender, fuchsias, and many indoor plants.
Softwood cuttings are perfect when you want quick results, but they need careful watering and protection from drying winds.
Semi-hardwood cuttings – mid to late summer reliability
Semi-hardwood cuttings, sometimes called summer cuttings, are taken when the season’s new growth begins to firm up but is still flexible. In most regions, this is from mid-summer through early autumn. They strike a good balance between softness and strength – less prone to wilting than softwood, yet still capable of forming roots readily.
How to do it:
- Take an 8–12 cm cutting where the base is slightly woody.
- Remove the lower leaves, and trim large upper leaves to reduce moisture loss.
- Dip the base in rooting hormone (optional but helpful) and plant in a mix of coarse sand and peat or coco coir.
- Keep the mix just moist and place the cuttings in a shaded, sheltered spot.
Good plants for semi-hardwood cuttings: rosemary, grevillea, camellia, bottlebrush (Callistemon), and many native shrubs.
Semi-hardwood cuttings are often the most dependable method for Australian gardeners, combining good root development with a high success rate.
Hardwood cuttings – winter’s patient project
Hardwood cuttings are taken in late autumn or winter, when deciduous plants are dormant and shoots are fully matured. They’re ideal for woody shrubs and trees that are too firm for softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. In cooler parts of Australia, this is the time when plants rest and can be handled without stress.
How to do it:
- Cut a mature shoot 15–25 cm long with several buds.
- Make a straight cut just below a bud at the base, and a slanted cut above a bud at the top so you know which end is up.
- Insert the cutting into pots or directly into garden soil so that two-thirds is buried.
- Keep it in a cool, sheltered spot outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse.
Good plants for hardwood cuttings: grapevines, figs, currants, willows, hydrangeas, and many deciduous natives.
Hardwood cuttings take time – often the whole winter to form roots – but they’re tough and ready to plant out by spring.
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Choosing the right type for your plant
The best cutting type depends on the plant’s growth habit and the season. As a general rule:
- Herbaceous plants: softwood cuttings.
- Shrubs and semi-woody plants: semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Woody trees and vines: hardwood cuttings.
By matching the cutting type to the plant and the season, you’ll greatly improve your success rate and soon have a thriving collection of new plants.
A small experiment with big rewards
Taking cuttings is both practical and creative. It helps you understand your plants more deeply, and there’s real joy in watching a small shoot grow into a self-sufficient plant. Whether you’re working with softwood, semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings, propagation is about patience, curiosity and the simple pleasure of nurturing new life in your garden.
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