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Cannabis cuttings are the most effective way to clone your favorite plant – no new seeds required. In this guide, we walk you step by step through the process of taking cuttings, explain whether they root better in water or soil, how to care for them properly, and when the right time to transplant is. You’ll also find our recommendations for the best strains to use as stable mother plants.
What Are Cannabis Cuttings?
A cannabis cutting is a genetic clone of an existing plant. You take a young shoot – usually from the upper part of a mother plant – and root it under controlled conditions. The result: a new plant with exactly the same characteristics as the original.
Why Use Cuttings Instead of Seeds?
- Faster Start: Cuttings skip the germination phase.
- Genetic Certainty: You know exactly what traits the new plant will have.
- More Cost-Effective Long-Term: A good mother plant can provide dozens of cuttings.
- No Risk of Male Plants: You only work with proven female plants.
Learn how to build, care for, and maintain a healthy mother plant long-term:
How to Take Cuttings – Step-by-Step
- Choose a healthy shoot with 2–3 pairs of leaves.
- Cut it diagonally below a node using a clean blade.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Place it in a moist substrate or a glass of water.
- Cover with a humidity dome maintaining 70–80% humidity.
Expert Tip from Mark:Always use a sterile razor blade and avoid crushing the stem. A clean cut improves the chances of quick root development!
Do Cannabis Cuttings Root Better in Water or Soil?
Both methods have their advantages – here’s a comparison:
| Water | Soil/Substrate |
|---|---|
| Easy to observe | More natural conditions |
| Faster root development | Stronger roots |
| Higher risk of mold | Better airflow |
Bottom line: Beginners usually start with water, while pros prefer soil or rockwool.
Post-Cut Care
- Light: 18 hours/day (fluorescent or LED grow light)
- Humidity: 70–80%
- Temperature: 22–25 °C (72–77 °F)
- Watering: Every 1–2 days to keep medium moist
Light: 18 hours/day (fluorescent tubes or LED grow light)
Also check out our STIXX 50 test report – perfect for seedlings & cuttings in small setups.
When to Transplant
After 10–14 days, you’ll see visible roots. Once they break through the growing medium, transplant to a larger pot. Let plants adapt gradually to drier air (open the dome bit by bit).
Alternative: Prefer starting from seed instead of using cuttings? Here's what a healthy cannabis seedling looks like after one week:
The Cannabis Sprout
Top Strains for Mother Plants & Stable Cuttings
Choose strains with robust genetics, minimal hermaphroditism, and uniform growth:
Northern Lights
A classic for mother plants — extremely stable, easy to grow, and fast-growing.
Super Silver Haze
Sativa-dominant and vigorous — ideal for experienced growers and cuttings.
Blue Gelato 41
Stable, fast-growing hybrid — perfect for mother plants. High yield and even growth.
Skunk #1 Regular
Legendary genetics with great breeding potential — ideal for stable clones and your own mothers.
Wedding Cake
Compact & powerful — known for its aroma and very uniform cloning behavior.
Amnesia Haze
Strong, reliable, and known for stable Sativa clones — great for experienced growers.
Cannoptikum Crew
“We only recommend strains we’ve tested over time. Genetics are key for successful cloning.”
What makes the male cannabis plant so important – and when should you remove it? This article explains it both symbolically and practically.
More Helpful Articles:
- Common Germination Mistakes
- Germinating hard & old seeds
- Nutrient Deficiencies in Young Plants
- 1 Week Old Cannabis Seedling
- Go to Cannabis Seeds Category
Find more tips about seedlings, cuttings, and mother plants in our guide section: Cannabis Growing Tips & Harvest Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Blog Posts:
1 Week Old Cannabis Sprout
Cannabis Seedlings
