What does a good cutting look like? Choose a cutting from a plant that looks healthy. The stem that is to go down into the soil, you peel clean from leaves, except for 2-3 leaves that you leave in the top. The less cuttings you choose, the easier it will be to control the growth of the plant. There are two types of cuttings. One is stem cuttings where it is easier to get roots, but it usually gets rickety. The second type is top cutting. It works well in late spring, summer and early fall.