How to Take Plant Cuttings in Summer — A UK Gardener's Guide

Summer is the perfect time to take plant cuttings in the UK. The warm soil, long daylight hours, and active growth phase mean your cuttings stand the best chance of developing strong roots before the cooler months set in. Whether you want to double your stock of favourite shrubs, save money on new plants, or share a beloved rose with a friend, propagation from cuttings is one of the most satisfying skills a gardener can learn.

In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know — from the tools and compost to use, to the step-by-step method for taking semi-ripe cuttings in July, plus which UK garden plants root most reliably from summer cuttings.

What You'll Need to Take Plant Cuttings

Having the right tools makes the difference between cuttings that strike and cuttings that rot. Here's your essential kit:

• Sharp secateurs or a propagation knife — Clean, precise cuts are critical. Blunt blades crush the stem tissue, inviting disease. A pair of Felco 2 Secateurs will give you years of clean cuts, or a Felco curved grafting knife for finer work.
• Rooting hormone — While not strictly essential, a rooting powder speeds up root development and reduces the risk of rot. Doff Natural Rooting Powder contains seaweed extract and is suitable for organic gardening.
• Seed and cutting compost — Standard multi-purpose compost is too rich for cuttings. You need a finer, free-draining mix. Westland Seed & Cutting Compost (25L) is a reliable choice with a super-fine texture that boosts germination rates.
• Small pots or seed trays — Individual 9cm pots work well, or you can use a modular seed tray to fit multiple cuttings in one space. The MIXC 120-Cell Seed Trays with Lids create mini-greenhouse conditions that cuttings love.
• Clear plastic bags or a propagator — Cuttings need high humidity to stop them wilting before they produce roots. A heated propagator like the AMOS Eezy Grow 4 Propagator gives the best results, but a clear plastic bag over a pot works well too.
• Plant labels and a marker — You'll forget what you planted where. A set of 100 waterproof plant labels costs very little and saves a lot of guesswork.
• A watering can with a fine rose — Gentle watering avoids disturbing the compost. The Vitax 2-3L Watering Can has a slim spout and fine rose ideal for cuttings.

Types of Summer Cuttings

Not all cuttings are created equal. In summer, UK gardeners typically work with two types:

Softwood cuttings (taken in late spring to early summer) — These come from the fresh, flexible new growth of plants like fuschias, penstemons, and pelargoniums. They root quickly but wilt just as fast if you don't act promptly.

Semi-ripe cuttings (taken from mid-summer onwards) — This is the method you'll use most in July. The base of the cutting is firm and woody while the tip is still soft and growing. Semi-ripe cuttings are more forgiving than softwood cuttings because they lose moisture more slowly. Plants that root well from semi-ripe cuttings include lavender, rosemary, choisya, cornus, deutzia, weigela, and many evergreen shrubs.

For this guide, I'll focus on semi-ripe cuttings — the most productive method for July in UK gardens.

Step-by-Step: Taking Semi-Ripe Cuttings

Step 1: Choose your material

Take cuttings in the early morning when the plant is fully turgid (plumped with water). Avoid taking cuttings during the heat of the day or from plants under drought stress. Look for healthy, non-flowering shoots — if the plant is in bloom, the cutting will prioritise flowers over roots.

Step 2: Prepare your cutting

Using clean secateurs or a sharp knife, cut a stem section about 10-15cm long. Make the cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf joins the stem). Strip off the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 leaves at the top. If the remaining leaves are large, cut them in half to reduce water loss. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder — tap off any excess.

Step 3: Insert into compost

Fill a clean pot or seed tray with seed and cutting compost. Water it thoroughly first and let it drain. Use a dibber (or a pencil) to make a hole in the compost, then insert the cutting so the lowest leaf node is just below the surface. Gently firm the compost around it. Space multiple cuttings so leaves don't touch — crowded cuttings encourage rot.

Step 4: Create humidity

Cuttings have no roots to take up water, so they rely on the air around them being humid. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag supported by bamboo canes (so the plastic doesn't touch the leaves), or place the tray inside a propagator with the vents closed for the first week. Keep the pot in a warm, bright spot — a windowsill out of direct sun is ideal.

Step 5: Aftercare

Check cuttings daily. Remove any yellowing or mouldy leaves immediately. Open the propagator vents or bag slightly after a week to begin hardening them off. Water from below (into the tray) rather than overhead to avoid disturbing the cuttings. Most semi-ripe cuttings will produce roots in 4-8 weeks.

Best Plants to Propagate from Cuttings in July

Here are the plants that root most reliably from semi-ripe cuttings taken in July in the UK:

Plant	Rooting time	Ease	Notes
Lavender	4-6 weeks	⭐ Easy	Use non-flowering side shoots
Rosemary	6-8 weeks	⭐ Easy	Pull off a heel (small piece of bark) for best results
Choisya	6-8 weeks	⭐⭐ Moderate	Use a heated propagator
Fuchsia	3-4 weeks	⭐ Easy	Softwood cuttings work too
Hydrangea	4-6 weeks	⭐ Easy	Take non-flowering tips
Cornus (Dogwood)	6-8 weeks	⭐ Easy	Good for winter stem colour
Weigela	6-8 weeks	⭐⭐ Moderate	Keep humidity high
Penstemon	3-4 weeks	⭐ Easy	Softwood cuttings are faster

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Cuttings can fail for a few predictable reasons. Here's what to watch for:

• Wilting — The air is too dry or the cutting was too long out of water. Increase humidity with a propagator lid or misting.
• Rotting at the base — Too much water or not enough drainage. Make sure you're using seed and cutting compost, not multi-purpose compost, and that pots have drainage holes.
• Mould on leaves — Not enough air circulation. Open the bag or propagator vents briefly every other day.
• No roots after 8 weeks — The cutting may have been taken from flowering wood, or the temperature was too low. Try again with non-flowering shoots and bottom heat.
• Leaves turning yellow — Possible overwatering or nutrient deficiency. Cuttings don't need feeding until they've rooted, so ease back on watering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

Taking plant cuttings in summer is one of the most rewarding jobs in the UK gardening calendar. It's essentially free plants — with a little patience and the right technique, a single shrub can give you a dozen new plants for next year's garden.

The golden rules: use a sharp pair of secateurs, work with dedicated cutting compost, keep humidity high with a propagator tray, and be patient. Check your cuttings weekly but resist the urge to tug on them — you'll know they've rooted when you see new growth at the tip.

If you're new to propagation, start with something forgiving like lavender or fuchsia. Once you've mastered semi-ripe cuttings, you'll wonder why you ever spent money on replacing garden shrubs.

Products mentioned in this guide: Felco 2 Secateurs · Doff Natural Rooting Powder · Westland Seed & Cutting Compost · MIXC Seed Trays 120 Cell · AMOS Heated Propagator · Plant Labels 100 Pack · Vitax Watering Can · Felco Grafting Knife.

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Last reviewed: 19 July 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links

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