To improve vegetative propagation of Berberis thunbergii "Red Chief", stock plants were subjected to etiolation, shading and IBA treatment, as well as to the application of two commercially available rooting powders. Spraying stock plants with IBA 24 hours prior to the cuttings harvest produced an effect comparable to the use of rooting powders. Etiolation of stock plants followed by an application of a rooting powder improved root ball development. Also reduction of light intensity by 96% of ambient prior to harvest of cuttings improved rooting. Positive effect of shading resulted in changes in shoot anatomy, i.e. a weaker sclerenchyma development. Enhanced rooting in cuttings from shoots grown under reduced light intensity was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of soluble proteins and by an increase in the total chlorophyll content while the concentration of total soluble sugars remained unaffected.