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Six steps to taking root cuttings

  • Last updated: 9 January 2026
Our head gardener Emma O’Neill explains how this propagation method can help you make new plants from old.
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Poppies, verbascum and phlox can be propagated by root cuttings

Root cuttings can be a highly successful and easy propagation method for herbaceous perennials, providing you choose the right plants. 

This method works best, although not exclusively for oriental poppies, verbascum and phlox and is done in late autumn/early winter when the plants are dormant. Doing it at this time will ensure the plants are not expending additional energy and putting all their efforts into new root growth. The cold weather also helps to reduce any potential pest or disease problems. 

Step-by-step guide to root cuttings 🔗

It’s important to pick a vigorous healthy plant and never take more than a third of the roots as this will significantly weaken the parent plant. The plant must have enough food reserves for survival and to produce a new plant, so pick vigorous fleshy roots and close to the crown of the parent plant.

Step One: Once you’ve picked your plant, dig it up carefully, getting as much of the root ball as possible. It’s a good idea to wash the roots so that you can see clearly which material will be suitable. 

Step two: Once this is done, select the roots you will be removing, they will need to be roughly pencil thickness. As a rule of thumb, thinner rooted plants such as phlox will need a longer length - but a good guide is between 20-25cm long. You will be cutting the root into smaller pieces.

Step three: Cut the root into lengths of approximately 5-10cm. If you use an angled cut at the base this will help you identify which way up, they need to be planted. If the root is upside down it will not grow! You can discard any laterals. 

Step four: You don’t want the roots to dry out so it’s important to get them planted as quickly as possible. I like to prepare my growing medium prior to sowing, so I use a good-quality, organic, peat-free compost with added grit for free drainage. The cuttings will require cool conditions and need to be moist but not wet/waterlogged. A cold frame is ideal.

Step five: Insert the cuttings vertically and push them in until they are flush with the surface of the compost. However, if you have thin rooted cuttings, such as phlox, these can be laid out horizontally in a seed tray. Make sure they've good contact with the compost and cover with a fine layer of grit. Water and label. 

Step six: Plant the parent plant back in the ground as soon as possible. Then, wait until spring when hopefully you will have signs of life in your pot or tray, and can pot on the new plants into individual pots. Good luck!