Propagating plants via cuttings is exciting, rewarding, and (usually) very easy to do.
But, despite it being a relatively simple task, there are quite a few things that can go wrong.
Wilting cuttings are a prime example of propagation gone wrong.
Several reasons exist for cutting’s wilting. Some issues are easily fixable, while others are a sign it’s time to throw the cutting in the compost and start again.
If you’re here because you’re wondering, “Why are my plant cuttings wilting?” to see if you can fix the problem, keep reading!
In this article, I’ll share the top 10 reasons why your plant could be wilting and (if possible!) explain how to save it.
Why are My Plant Cuttings Wilting? 10 Common Reasons
Wilting cuttings can be normal (see below for an explanation on this) when it’s just the bottom leaves.
But if you’re entire plant is wilting and/or turning brown, something is probably wrong.
Before you can determine whether your cutting is saveable, you need to figure out what caused the issue to begin with.
Here are the top 10 reasons why plant cuttings wilt to help you determine what’s wrong with your propagation attempt and answer the question, “Why are my plant cuttings wilting?”.
1. Wrong time of year
Research (and experience!) tells us that some plants propagate better at certain times of year than others.
A prime example is a snake plant. While it can be propagated any time of year, cuttings are best taken in spring when the plant is in its growing season.
This boosts your chances of success and promotes faster root growth.
You can get away with propagating a snake plant in winter, but it isn’t ideal.
If you’ve taken the cutting of your plant at the wrong time of year, this could be the reason why it’s not working and your cutting is starting to wilt.
2. Too big
Taking cuttings too big is another reason why your plant could be wilting. Usually, the smaller the cutting, the better, but it depends on the plant.
I find that most cuttings are best when they’re no more than 4 inches (10cm), but you should check what size works best for your plant.
The reason a cutting that’s too big can wilt is because propagation uses a ton of energy.
If that energy is being used to keep a very large stem, plus the leaves, alive, while also generating new roots, it’s more likely to fail and start wilting.
3. Cut incorrectly
Cutting your plant properly is one of the most important things you can do when propagating.
You’ll need to ensure you cut the right part of the stem depending on the plant you have.
For example, monstera’s need to be cut below a root node to generate roots. But a snake plant can be propagated by simply cutting a leaf.
In addition to where you cut, it’s also important to consider what you’re cutting your plant with.
For propagation to be successful, you need to make a clean cut with a sharp, sterile pair of scissors, pruners, or a knife.
I’ve never experienced it before, even when (admittedly!) I haven’t sterilized my scissors beforehand. But using dirty shears can lead to bacteria forming on your cutting.
Needless to say, a cutting full of bacteria is more likely to rot and cause your plant to wilt.
4. Incorrect pot/jar
If you’re propagating your cutting in water, it could start wilting if you’re using the wrong type of medium to keep it in.
Propagation works best when you use a clean, clear glass jar.
If you’re using an opaque pot, your root won’t get enough sunlight. If you use a plastic medium, like an old plastic bottle or pot filled with water, this can leak toxins into the water.
Both these things can cause your propagation to fail and your cutting to wilt.
5. Not enough water
As a plant parent, you should already know that plants need water to survive. Without it, they can wilt, turn brown, dry out, lose their leaves, or die.
The same goes for your plant cuttings. If they don’t get enough water, they can wilt and die.
If you’re propagating your plant in soil, make sure you’re watering it just as frequently as if it was a full houseplant.
If you’re propagating in water, always make sure the cutting stays in contact with the water.
If it drops lower, you may get lucky as the roots can grow towards the water to help it survive (I had this recently with a parsley cutting I propagated).
But, if the plant doesn’t have the energy yet to grow roots/shoot them long enough, your cutting can wilt and die.
6. Too much water
You knew this one was coming next! Just like underwatering can be a problem, so can overwatering.
You won’t experience this problem if your cutting is being propagated in water, but you will if it’s in soil.
The reason for wilting is simple. The soil is too dry and the plant isn’t getting the moisture it needs to keep its leaves upright and healthy.
7. Inadequate sunlight
Another reason why your plant cuttings are wilting could be because it isn’t getting enough sunlight.
Most plants need to be placed in a bright, sunny position for propagation to succeed. This, of course, depends on the plant, but it’s usually the case.
Check the light requirements of your plant cutting to see if lack of sunlight is the root cause of its wilting.
8. Stagnant water
This cause is rare, but your plant cutting can show signs of wilting if you’re not changing the water enough. This only applies if you’re propagating your cutting in water, not soil.
When you place your cutting in water, it uses its moisture and oxygen to generate roots. Learn more about how plants grow roots in water here.
If you don’t change the water regularly enough, the cutting won’t be getting the oxygen it needs, which can cause wilting.
It’s worth mentioning here that you’ll probably need to leave your plant a very long time before it starts wilting from stagnant water.
I’ve left some of my cuttings for months and months without changing the water before. They don’t wilt, but growth stops.
9. Poor humidity
Many houseplants love high humidity. When you take one of these plant cuttings to propagate, you’ll need to mimic the same humidity levels it loves to find success with propagation.
Check the humidity requirements of your leaf cutting and, if you’re not providing it right now, this could be why it’s wilting.
10. Not removing enough leaves
Before placing your cutting in soil or water, you should remove the bottom leaves. Otherwise, they can start to die for numerous reasons.
If you haven’t removed enough of the bottom leaves, they can start wilting before eventually dying. This isn’t really a cause for concern.
Simply remove the wilting leaves and move on with your day!
Is it Normal For Plant Cuttings to Wilt?
Generally, no, it isn’t normal for plant cuttings to wilt.
Wilting is a key sign there’s something wrong with your cutting, and you need to act now if you want to save it.
Usually, if your cutting has many leaf shoots, it can be normal for the bottom cuttings to wilt away. This is especially the case if you’re propagating herbs or if you haven’t removed enough of the lower leaves.
However, if the entire plant cutting is wilting or turning brown, this is not normal. Your cutting may die soon, unless you’ve spotted the wilting early enough to fix it.
Can Wilted Cuttings Be Saved?
It depends how far-gone your cutting is and the reason it wilted in the first place as to whether your cutting can be saved.
Usually, if the cause is stagnant water, inadequate sunlight, poor humidity, not enough water, or using an improper jar, you can save it by rectifying the issue quickly.
However, if the root cause of your wilting issue is because you’ve overwatered it or propagated it incorrectly to begin with, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to save it.
You can try the methods listed below to save a wilting cut.
How Do I Save a Wilting Cut?
You can sometimes save a wilting cut, depending on what’s wrong with it. Here’s how to save a wilting cut in 2 steps.
1. Determine the cause of the issue
Firstly, you need to determine the cause of your wilting issue before you can decide whether it can be fixed.
Some issues are fixable, but some aren’t. It all depends on what’s wrong with your cutting and how quickly you’ve spotted the issue.
2. Rectify the issue
The following issues are, generally, not fixable. If you suspect your plant is wilting for one of these reasons, you’re better off throwing your cutting in the compost and starting again:
- Wrong time of year – Unsavable
- Incorrectly cut – Unsavable
- Cutting too big – You may be able to trim it down and save it, but be warned, it may still not work!
- Too much water – You can try letting the soil dry out, or changing the soil for completely new soil, but root rot can be tricky to fix, especially in cuttings!
However, the following issues can be fixed by simply changing whatever’s wrong with your cutting:
- Incorrect jar – Just change the jar!
- Inadequate sunlight – Move it somewhere brighter
- Not enough water – Get hydrating!
- Stagnant water – Clean the jar, change the water, and your cutting should revive itself
- Poor humidity – Moisten up the air! Add a pebble tray with water or a humidifier, or move your cutting somewhere with higher humidity (like a bathroom or kitchen)
- Not removing enough leaves – Your cutting should be fine, just remove the wilting leaves and monitor what happens to the rest
What plant are you trying to propagate? Have you found the cause of your wilting issue here? Let me know in the comments or ask me a question. I’d love to help! 😊
