What Plants Can You Propagate From Cuttings?

Plants naturally use several different methods to multiply, from seeds to spores to shoots. Gardeners looking to speed the process along can propagate new plants from cuttings. Cuttings are a part of a plant's roots, branches or leaves that, when cut and properly rooted, can begin to grow a new plant of their own -- effectively cloning the parent plant. This method of creating new plants can be practiced with a range of plants from flowers to trees.

Succulents, such as the jade plant, are propagated using leaf cuttings. Leaf cuttings on succulents are produced by simply breaking a leaf from the stem, dipping it into a rooting hormone and planting one-third of the leaf into the rooting mix. Once inserted, maintain the rooting mix in a damp condition making sure not to overwater. Perlite and vermiculite can also be added to the root mixture to encourage growth and prevent rot.

Bromeliads include plants such as the pineapple and are known for their superior adaptability, sometimes even finding growing room on telephone lines. Bromeliads including the pineapple can be grown from leaf cuttings. These cuttings should be placed in water and given full sun. Once shoots reach about 2 inches, the plant can be transplanted into well draining soil with fertilizer.

The family Gesneriaceae include flowers such as the African violet. These flowers are also propagated by leaf cuttings. Leaf cuttings should be taken in the spring. Plant the leaf one-third of its depth in sand. Keep the sand well watered to see small plants springing from the cutting within two to six months.

Salicaceae include willows and cottonwood trees. This family of trees and shrubs produces flowers and fruit but can also be propagated through cutting of hardwood stems from new growth. Cut in winter or late fall, when moisture loss is at its minimum and cut a recent length of stem that exhibits fresh budding. Remove any buds at the base of the stem and cut a 1-inch slice along the side of the bark at the base of the stem. Apply root hormone and plant in root mix including vermiculite to achieve optimal growth.

Roses are propagated not by leaf or hardwood cuttings, but by stem cuttings. Cut the stem from a recent bud that still has flowers fading on it. Pick a stem that has leaves attached to promote immediate photosynthesis. As with the willow cutting, wound the cutting an inch from the base and clear off any buds within 2 inches from the base. Roses create a chemical called auxin that provides root stimulation without the need for root hormone.