How to Root Cannabis Clones in Water or Soil: Steps and Rooting Aids

To root cannabis clones, take 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) cuttings from a healthy mother plant, dip them in rooting hormone and keep them warm, humid and out of direct sun, either in a glass of water or in light, airy soil. Rooting clones is a core skill for any grower, and below we walk you through it step by step, including how to get a branch to root in plain water.

How to prep your cuttings

1. Pick a healthy mother plant: Choose a vigorous, disease-free cannabis plant as the source for your clones.
2. Use clean tools: Take your cuttings with a clean, sharp blade or pruning shears. Make sure they're free of dirt and residue.
3. Get the length right: Cut clones about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long. Each one needs at least one intact node (the spot where leaves grow from the stem).

Rooting hormone

• To boost your success rate, use a rooting hormone, sold at most grow shops. These products stimulate root growth.

How to root clones in water

1. Set up a container of clean water: Fill a container with room-temperature water.
2. Place the cuttings: Stand the clones in the water, making sure the nodes are fully submerged.
3. Change the water often: To keep conditions right for rooting, swap in fresh water every few days.
4. Watch for roots: Within a couple of weeks or so, you should see roots forming on the cuttings.

How to root clones in soil

1. Prep individual containers: Fill small pots with high-quality, well-aerated potting mix.
2. Plant the cuttings: Push the clones into the soil, making sure at least one node is buried.
3. Create a humid environment: Cover the pots with a clear plastic bag to keep the air around the clones warm and humid.
4. Give them indirect light: Keep the clones somewhere with indirect light and a steady temperature.
5. Check on rooting: After a couple of weeks, you should start to see roots developing.

Caring for clones while they root

• Keep them out of direct sunlight while they're rooting.
• Keep humidity steady, but don't overwater, or the cuttings can rot.
• If you're using a rooting hormone, follow the instructions on the label.

How long do cannabis clones take to root?

• Rooting time depends on the strain and your conditions. Most clones root in roughly one to three weeks, while stubborn cuttings or cool, dry setups can take a good deal longer.

How to make clones root faster

You can speed up rooting with a few proven techniques. Here's what works:

1. Rooting hormone: This is one of the most effective ways to speed things up. Rooting hormones kick-start root development in the cuttings. You'll find them at garden centers and grow shops.

2. The right temperature: Keep things steady at the sweet spot for rooting, usually 21 to 24 °C (70 to 75 °F). Avoid sudden swings, which can slow the process down.

3. Controlled humidity: Keep the air around the clones humid. Plastic bags or a humidity dome (propagator) do the job. Humidity encourages root growth.

4. A proper cut: Make clean cuts with a sharp blade. Strip the lower leaves and cut just below a node. That cuts down on water loss and competition for resources, so the clone can focus on rooting.

5. A quality medium: Use a high-quality rooting medium that's airy and drains well. It gives roots the right environment to grow.

6. Indirect light: Give them enough light, but keep them out of direct sun. Indirect light supports root development without frying the cuttings.

7. Airflow: Make sure the clones get gentle, steady ventilation. It helps prevent mold and keeps oxygen moving to the developing roots.

8. Careful watering: Don't overwater, or the cuttings can rot. Keep the medium moist, not soaked. A misting system can help hold humidity steady.

9. Natural rooting aids: Some natural products, like seaweed extract, can act as rooting stimulants and speed things along.

10. Monitor and adjust: Check your clones regularly and tweak conditions as needed. If you spot mold or wilting cuttings, make changes fast.

What can you use to root clones?

There are several options that can help your clones put out roots. Here are the most common:

1. Rooting hormones: These products are made specifically to help cuttings root. They come as gels, powders or liquids and contain plant hormones such as auxins, which stimulate root growth. They're widely used and usually very effective.
2. Cinnamon powder: Ground cinnamon is a popular natural rooting aid. Its antimicrobial properties can help keep infections away from the cut while roots form. Dip the base of the cutting in cinnamon before planting it.
3. Honey: Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help protect the cuttings from infection while they root. Mix a little honey with water and dip the base of the clone in it before planting.
4. Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel is another natural option. It contains compounds that may support root development and protect the cuttings from disease. Coat the base of the cutting with a thin layer of gel before planting.
5. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA): This is one of the most common active ingredients in commercial rooting hormones, often sold as a liquid. It's very effective at stimulating root growth. Dilute it in water and use it to soak or spray the base of the cuttings before planting.
6. Seaweed extracts: Seaweed extracts such as kelp are natural rooting aids, rich in nutrients and growth hormones. You can soak the cuttings in them or add them to your watering.
7. Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a natural compound found in some plants, and some growers use it to encourage rooting. You can make a diluted solution and dip the cuttings in it.
8. Vitamin B water: Some growers report good results with water enriched with B vitamins as a rooting aid, although the evidence that it speeds up rooting is thin.