Propagating Hardwoods and Houseplants in Winter

Taking cuttings in winter is a rewarding way to propagate plants, fill in your garden or home with favorites, and get a head start on spring. While growth slows during the colder months, many plants respond beautifully to winter propagation when given the right care. Both hardwood cuttings from outdoor plants and soft stem cuttings from houseplants each have their own rhythms, but winter is an excellent time to work with both.

Hardwood Cuttings

Hardwood cuttings are taken from deciduous trees and shrubs after they’ve dropped their leaves and gone dormant. This is typically late fall through winter. Popular plants for hardwood cuttings include hydrangea, willow, dogwood, fig, rose, viburnum, and many native shrubs. Start by selecting healthy, disease-free branches that grew during the past season. Cut sections that are about 8-12 inches long on pencil-thick stems. Make the bottom cut just BELOW a node and the top cut just ABOVE a node. This helps stimulate root growth on bottom and prevent nubbing on the top. Then remove any remaining leaves or soft growth from the top. IMPORTANT! Make sure you label which side goes up and which side goes down. If you plant your propagation in soil the wrong direction, you won’t have much success. 

Once cut, hardwood cuttings can be inserted into a rooting hormone and placed in containers with well-draining soil mix. Water them well and place containers outdoors in a sheltered area or in an unheated garage or cold frame. They don’t need warmth or light right away, just consistent moisture and protection from extreme freeze–thaw cycles. Roots will begin forming slowly over winter with new growth emerging as temperatures warm in spring.

Houseplant Cuttings

Houseplant cuttings stay indoors and benefit from stable conditions during winter. Many common houseplants root easily from cuttings, including pothos, philodendron, monstera, tradescantia, snake plant, hoya, and many succulents. Choose a healthy stem with at least one node and make a clean cut just below it. For plants with larger leaves, trimming the leaf size (yes, cut the leaf in half!) slightly can help reduce moisture loss while your cutting is creating roots. 

Most houseplant cuttings can be rooted in either water or in soil. Water propagation is great for beginners and allows you to watch roots develop before transitioning to soil. Soil propagation creates stronger roots from the start. Use a light, well-draining potting mix and keep it evenly moist but never soggy. Bright, indirect light is ideal during winter, and placing cuttings near a window or under a grow light can make a big difference when daylight is short. Warmth also helps, so keep cuttings away from cold drafts and consider using a heat mat for more sensitive plants.

Humidity is especially valuable for indoor cuttings during winter, when heating systems dry the air. Grouping plants together, using a humidity dome (try a gallon size plastic bag!), or lightly misting can help cuttings stay hydrated while they establish roots. Be patient—rooting may take longer in winter, but healthy cuttings will reward you with new growth as days begin to lengthen.