According to the nature of the wood used in making the cuttings, stem cuttings are of four classes viz, hard wood, semi hard wood, soft wood and herbaceous cuttings

1. Hard wood cuttings: Cuttings are prepared during dormant season from the wood of the previous season growth. Hard cuttings should be about 15-25 cm long, with atleast 2 to 3 nodes. Basal end of the cuttings should be slanting and just below the basal node while the top cut end should be straight and 2 to 3 cm above the last node. These cuttings may be straight or slantingly in rooting media with or without leaves keepingabout 3/4th of length buried in them. Grapes, rootstocks of roses, pear are propagated by hard wood cuttings.

1. Semi-hard wood cuttings: This type of cutting is generally from evergreen species during summer from new shoots just flush of growth has taken place and the wood is partiaaly matured. Leaves are retained on this type of cuttings usually on the top side

1. Soft wood cuttings: This type of cuttings is also known as green wood cuttings. These cuttings are taken from woody plants prior to lignifications when the tissues are still relatively soft. The best material of this kind has some degree of flexibility but it is enough to break when bent sharply. Soft wood cuttings root easier and quicker than the other types, but require more attention

1. Herbaceous cuttings: This type of cutting is made from succulent herbaceous plant such as geranium, chrysanthemum, coleus or carnations. This differs from soft wood cutting in that these plants will not develop woody tissues. These will root relatively in a shorter period under proper conditions.