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Country Living reports that gardeners can take fall cuttings from seven plants—rosemary, lavender, geraniums, fuchsia, basil, mint and coleus—to grow more plants for next season. The article describes water propagation for soft-stemmed plants and a potting mix and rooting hormone for woody or semi-woody stems; success and timing depend on the plant and growing conditions.
Country Living has published a guide to propagating seven garden plants from fall cuttings, describing how gardeners can make new rosemary, lavender, geranium, fuchsia, basil, mint and coleus plants from existing stems. The advice offers a way to carry favorite plants into the next growing season, though the methods and likelihood of success vary by plant and conditions; gardeners can also grow native plants from seed to expand their gardens.
The guide divides the plants between two approaches. Soft-stemmed basil, mint and coleus can be placed in water after leaves below the water line are removed. Once roots have formed, the cuttings can be moved into containers of potting mix, kept moist and placed near a bright window or in a sunroom, a useful step when you take plant cuttings to grow more plants. The source does not specify an exact number of days or a minimum root length before transplanting.
For woody or semi-woody plants—rosemary, lavender, geraniums and fuchsia—the article recommends small pots and a sharply draining growing mix rather than dense potting soil. It advises taking nonflowering stems about three to five inches long, removing lower leaves and most top foliage, and applying rooting hormone to the cut end. The stems are set into holes in the mix and covered with a clear bag or other cover to retain moisture.
The guide says to remove the cover after about a week, water consistently and check after a few weeks for gentle resistance when a stem is tugged, which it describes as a sign of rooting. It recommends keeping rooted cuttings in a sheltered setting, protecting them from freezing temperatures and planting outdoors in spring after frost danger has passed. These are general instructions, not a guarantee that every cutting will take.
A Lower-Cost Way to Add Plants
Taking cuttings can let gardeners multiply plants they already own rather than buying every plant anew. It may be useful for people who want more herbs for cooking, repeat a favorite flower display or keep a plant going through winter. The financial benefit is not quantified in the source, and cuttings still require materials, space and care.
The advice also makes clear that propagation is not one-size-fits-all. Water is presented as a simple option for the three soft-stemmed plants, while the other four need a more controlled setup. Choosing the method by stem type and protecting young plants from cold are central to the guide’s practical value.
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Two Methods for Fall Cuttings
The report frames fall as a time when gardeners are cutting back faded flowers and preparing beds and containers. Rather than discarding every healthy stem, readers can save suitable cuttings indoors for possible planting the following spring. Master Gardener Rhonda Fleming Hayes, author of Garden for Life and the newsletter The Garden Buzz, is quoted in the report on the value of the practice.
Hayes recommends a growing mix with sharp drainage for woody and semi-woody cuttings. The article describes an approximately 80/20 mix of perlite and other materials, such as sand or compost available at garden centers. For water-rooted cuttings, it advises moving plants into potting mix after roots develop. In either case, the source places outdoor planting after the threat of frost has passed.
“The garden may be winding down, but now’s the time to think about taking cuttings.”
— Rhonda Fleming Hayes, master gardener and author, as quoted by Country Living
Rooting Results Can Vary
The source does not report controlled success rates, compare the seven plants’ rooting performance or give detailed timing for each variety. Whether a cutting roots can depend on plant health and growing conditions, and the guide does not promise that every stem will produce a viable plant. It also does not provide region-specific guidance for differences in fall weather or winter light.
The article’s instructions are general: gardeners may need to adjust care for their climate and the particular plant. The listed steps do not establish a universal amount of water, light or rooting hormone, nor do they specify how long to wait before moving every cutting outdoors.
Monitor Cuttings Through Winter
For gardeners following the guide, the next steps are to take suitable cuttings, use the method recommended for each plant and monitor them for roots. Keep the soil consistently moist for cuttings moved into containers, and protect potted plants from freezing conditions; the report advises bright, indirect light indoors in colder climates.
Once spring arrives, the guide says to plant outdoors only after frost danger has passed. It does not announce a follow-up study or provide a specific planting date, so gardeners will need to base that timing on local conditions.
Key Questions
Which seven plants does the guide recommend?
Rosemary, lavender, geraniums, fuchsia, basil, mint and coleus are the plants listed in the Country Living report.
Which cuttings can be rooted in water?
The report recommends water propagation for basil, mint and coleus, which it describes as soft-stemmed plants. Remove leaves that would sit below the water line, then move the cutting to potting mix once roots have formed.
What supplies are suggested for the other four plants?
For rosemary, lavender, geraniums and fuchsia, the guide suggests small nursery pots, rooting hormone and a sharply draining growing mix. It advises against dense potting soil for this method.
When can the cuttings go outside?
The report says to plant rooted cuttings outdoors in spring after the threat of frost has passed. It recommends bringing potted cuttings inside if temperatures fall below freezing.
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