There are many types of cuttings. Often, a plant can be propagated by more than one method of cutting. Some plants will reproduce readily from cuttings and others take a considerable amount of time and care. Stock plants must be in excellent health and should possess characteristics desirable for production of new plants. Herbaceous cuttings are those taken from nonwoody plants, such as perennials and houseplants.
Softwood cuttings are pieces of new growth taken from woody stock plants.
These cuttings must be taken before the new growth starts to harden. Hardwood cuttings are taken from tissue which has become woody. Other forms of cuttings are leaf cuttings and root cuttings. The gardener must try to duplicate the conditions needed for a plant to root from a cutting. High humidity, indirect light and soil temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F are best for most cuttings.