Which plants to take cuttings in winter?

A wide variety of plants can be successfully harvested from cuttings in winter among trees and shrubs, ornamentals and flowering perennials. By separating a branch, bud or root from a mother plant and placing it in an environment favorable to the plant’s development, you can create new plants that will enrich your interior or garden.

What plants should be taken from cuttings in winter?

Here is a partial list of plants to harvest in winter:

Trees and shrubs:

Ornamental plants:

Evergreen plants:

Flowering perennials:

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Can you choose any plant?

It is essential to know the local regulations regarding the collection of plants, as some species are protected by law, especially because of their rarity, vulnerability or ecological importance. These restrictions vary by region and country, but local plant collection regulations must be followed.

In France, for example, the list of protected plant species is long, from Corsican pansy to Curtis’s pansy to Roger’s orthotrichia.

Before taking cuttings from the wild or collecting wild plants, it is therefore important to inform yourself about the applicable legislation.

Read alsoWhat plants are protected in France?

How to take these cuttings?

Taking cuttings requires certain precautions to ensure their success and survival. Here are some practical tips for taking and storing cuttings:

• Choose healthy, strong cuttings, preferably taken from healthy plants.
• Use a sharp, disinfected garden tool to remove the cuttings.
• Select parts of the stem that are about 5 to 10 centimeters long and make sure they contain a few nodes or buds.
• After removal, place the cuttings in a container of clean water to prevent them from drying out and encourage the appearance of roots.
• When ready to plant, dip the ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone (if necessary) and plant them in a light, well-drained growing medium.

How to protect cuttings from winter?

Protecting the cuttings from winter is essential to ensure their survival and support their rooting.

In your interior

Place the cuttings near a window with good exposure to natural light. Make sure they get at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect light a day to promote growth.

Avoid excessive temperature differences by placing the cuttings in a room where the temperature is regulated, ideally between 18 and 22 °C. Fluctuations in temperature can endanger the health of the cuttings.

Maintain adequate humidity around the cuttings by misting regularly with lime-free water. You can also place trays filled with pebbles and water under the pots to increase the ambient humidity.

In your garden

Cover your cuttings with glass covers, plastic tunnels or winter tarps to protect them from the cold and night frosts. Make sure the guards are not in direct contact with the cuttings.

Apply a layer of mulch around the cuttings to protect the soil from frost and maintain a more consistent temperature. Mulch also helps retain moisture and prevent temperature fluctuations.

Do not place the cuttings in areas exposed to drafts or strong winds, as this can cause excessive drying and endanger their health.