GuideRooted vs Unrooted Cannabis Clones
SectionGrow guide . clone format
Read time4 minutes
Reviewed2026.05
LevelBeginner

Grow Guide . clone format . G-09

ROOTED VS
UNROOTED.

rooted ships better,
unrooted is cheaper.

ROOTED VS UNROOTED, cannabis clones

Rooted vs unrooted cannabis clones is a real decision with cost and risk trade-offs. A rooted clone has already developed a root system in the plug. An unrooted cutting is the stem alone, with no roots yet.

01 . Rooted clones

Rooted clones

What you get.

A rooted clone has been placed in a humidity-controlled dome for 7 to 14 days, until visible white roots emerge from the bottom of the plug. Survival rate after shipping is 95+ percent.

02 . Unrooted cuttings

Unrooted cuttings

What you get.

An unrooted cutting is a stem with leaves, cut from the mother within 24 hours of shipping. No roots. The buyer must place it in a dome on arrival, apply rooting hormone, and provide the right conditions.

03 . Why rooted ships better

Why rooted ships better

The transit window.

A rooted clone has a small root system pulling water from a hydrated plug. It tolerates 1 to 3 days in a sealed box. An unrooted cutting relies entirely on its leaves; by day 2 in transit, many unrooted cuts are wilted past recovery.

04 . Why unrooted is cheaper

Why unrooted is cheaper

Less labor at the source.

A nursery cutting a rooted clone has invested 2 weeks of dome space before shipping. A nursery cutting an unrooted clone is shipping a freshly cut stem.

05 . When to choose which

When to choose which

Match to your setup.

Choose rooted if you are a beginner, ordering 1 to 10 clones, or want the highest survival rate. Choose unrooted if you are experienced with propagation and have a dome ready.

FAQ . ROOTED VS UNROOTED

Common questions about rooted vs unrooted.

Asked enough times to belong on the page.
Q.01Why do you only ship rooted clones?

Survival rate. Unrooted cuttings often fail in transit, especially to states 2 to 3 days away.

Q.02Can I order unrooted to save money?

Not from us. Some nurseries offer unrooted, but the math rarely works out.

Q.03How long does an unrooted cutting last before it must be rooted?

About 48 hours under refrigeration.

Q.04Are rooted clones really worth the price difference?

For most home growers, yes. The labor and risk of rooting your own is hours of work plus failure rates.

Q.05Can you tell from a photo if a clone is rooted?

Yes. Visible roots at the bottom of the plug are the signal.

. Related guides

More grow guides.

Pathogen, care, and lineage topics.
What is HLVd > Clones vs seeds > Clone care on arrival > When to transplant clones > How long to root > Clones not rooting > Humidity and temperature > Size before transplant > Healthy clone signs > Light for clones > Can you clone a clone > All grow guides >