How to Root Roses from Cuttings
Roses are one of the most rewarding plants to grow from cuttings. A rooted cutting grows on its own roots and produces the same flowers as the parent plant, so you can multiply a favorite rose for free.
At a glance
| Rooting powder | Hormex Rooting Powder #3 for most roses. The Hormex plant library lists #8 for Lady Banksia rose. |
|---|---|
| Cutting type | Semi-softwood stems after a flush of bloom, or hardwood stems saved from winter pruning |
| Cutting size | About 6 inches long and roughly pencil thick |
| Rooting medium | Damp, well-drained potting mix, a peat and perlite mix, or Hormex Rooting Cubes |
| Time to root | Often several weeks. Hardwood cuttings take longer. |
When to take rose cuttings
Outdoors, there are two good windows. In late spring and summer, take semi-softwood cuttings from stems that have just finished blooming. In late fall and winter, save healthy, pencil-thick stems when you prune. Indoors or in a greenhouse, you can take cuttings any time stems are at the right stage.
How to root roses from cuttings
- Choose a healthy stem. Pick a vigorous stem about the thickness of a pencil, or slightly less, from a well-watered plant.
- Cut it to size. Make each cutting about 6 inches long, cutting just above a node at the top and just below a node at the bottom. Cut the top straight across and the bottom on a slant. The slant exposes more stem and reminds you which end goes down.
- Trim the leaves. Remove any flowers and buds, and strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
- Apply rooting powder. Moisten the base, dip it into a small amount of Hormex Rooting Powder #3 poured into a separate container, and tap off the excess.
- Plant it. Make a hole in damp, well-drained mix or a rooting cube so the powder is not rubbed off, insert the cutting, and firm the mix around it.
- Label it. Write the rose name and date on a plant label. Trust us, you will forget which is which.
- Keep it humid. Cover the pot with a clear dome or bag, give it bright, indirect light, and keep the mix moist but not soggy.
- Check for roots. After several weeks, give the cutting a gentle tug. Resistance means roots have formed. New leaf growth is another good sign.
Tip: Some growers moisten the cutting with Hormex Vitamin B1 & Hormone Concentrate instead of water before dipping, so more powder sticks.
Caring for your new rose
Once the cutting has a healthy set of roots, move it into a larger pot of quality potting mix and gradually get it used to more sun. Keep young plants well watered through their first season before planting them in the garden.
FAQ
Will my new rose look like the parent plant?
Yes. A cutting is a clone of the parent, so it produces the same flowers. Many garden roses are sold grafted onto a different rootstock, but your cutting will grow on its own roots.
Can I root rose cuttings in water?
Some roses will root in water, but cuttings rooted in a moist medium usually adjust more easily when you pot them up.
Can I propagate any rose?
You can propagate roses for your own garden, but some newer varieties are patented, which means propagating them for sale is not allowed.
