- In asexual reproduction, the mother plant can produce a new plant from a woody, semi-hardwood or softwood cutting, leaf section or other parts of the plant.
Growing a plant from a cutting is referred to as cloning, since the baby plants are genetically identical to the donor, or mother, plant. This is a way of reproducing the exact plant, whereas seeds often differ from the mother plant.
Cloning is much faster than growing plants from seed, since the cutting has already sprouted. Many, but not all plants can be cloned through cuttings. - Some plants are famously easy to root from cuttings. Wandering Jew, jade plant, coleus, ivy, African violet and geraniums are commonly grown from pieces taken off the mother plant. The best way to get a healthy plant from a cutting is to put it in a growing medium, like peat moss or potting soil, under a plastic humidity dome or bag until roots sprout and it won't wilt when the plastic is removed.
Succulents, begonias and azaleas are easily grown from cuttings, as are willows, camellias, pelargonium, lavender and jasmine. - Spider, mother-of-thousands and similar plants are easily propagated from the baby plants produced by the mother plant. The best way to get the plantlet to grow is to pin it to soil in a separate container of growing medium until it sprouts roots. When the roots are formed, cut the new plant's connection to the mother plant. If it has fallen from the mother plant, put it in the medium and cover with a humidity dome. Mist every other day until roots form.
- Roses are commonly grown by cuttings to ensure the new plant is an exact replica of the mother plant. Cut a 6-inch piece of healthy stem in spring or early fall. Remove the bottom leaves and stick the cutting a couple of inches into the ground or a pot filled with soil. Invert a clean, clear glass quart jar over the top. Water the soil around the jar to keep from drying out. It will sprout roots and leaves in a couple of months.