The most common way to propagate plants without seeds (that is, by vegetative reproduction) is by taking cuttings. This is a useful way to reproduce plants that do not come true from seed, and is a good means of sharing plants between gardening friends.

In this section, we take a look at the three major types of cutting: stem, leaf and root. Stem cuttings produce roots directly from the stem itself or from the wound-healing tissue (callus) that develops at its base, whilst leaf cuttings produce roots from near their veins.

Stem cuttings can also be further broken down into three groups according to the season the cutting is taken, and the maturity of the parent plant. In general, perennials and small shrubs are propagated by softwood cuttings, whilst roses, larger shrubs and trees are propagated by semi-ripe and hardwood cuttings.