Transplanting Cuttings from Water to Soil

Note: This method is only meant to make planting easier—it helps you slip the cutting into the soil without damaging the roots. It’s not what helps the cutting adjust to soil. The soil should stay evenly moist after planting to support the transition, but the soupy step is only for ease of planting—not part of that transition itself.

The Easy Slide Method is a fool-proof way to plant water-propagated cuttings into soil without damaging them.

If the delicate water roots get damaged, they can develop root rot—either due to bacteria or because the cutting won’t have enough roots left to support itself. That can lead to wilting or completely stalled growth.

Here’s how the method works:

  1. Block the drainage holes by using tape or placing the pot in a larger container so the water doesn’t drain right away.
  2. Fill the pot with soil about 3/4 full.
  3. Add water to make the soil soupy. This allows the cutting to slide in easily without damaging the roots.
  4. Gently place the cutting into the wet soil—it should slide right in!
  5. Drain the excess water by removing the tape or taking the pot out of the container. 
  6. Top off with more soil if needed, making sure all the roots are covered.

This method makes the planting step easier, but it’s still important to take additional steps to support the cutting as it transitions from water to soil.