How to Grow Roses from Cuttings (2024)

Do you have a favorite rose bush in your yard that you want to propagate? Or maybe your neighbor has a gorgeous bloomer that you covet. Whether it’s a native Carolina or White Prairie bush rose or a climbing Lady Banks or Eden variety, you can easily start a new plant from a cutting! The best time to undertake this project is in the spring (exactly when that falls will depend on where you live) when the plant has put out new, healthy stems. The plant should have new growth that has leaves but isn’t heavily flowering. One important note, rooting rose cuttings works best with native species rather than grafted plants. Additionally, once rooted and planted outside, it will likely take a few years for the new plant to start flowering.

Below is a short list of tools you will need and a few simple steps that will help you grow roses from cuttings. So grab the pruners, head to your DIY potting bench and get ready to put that DIY trellis ideas to good use. Your best garden ornaments are about to get some "rosy" company!

What Tools Do You Need to Grow Roses from Cuttings?

Pruners: Cuts off the stem of the rose bush you want to root

Rooting hormone: Helps speed root growth; available at gardening or home stores

Rose potting mix: The medium that will allow your cutting to grow

Small pot: Vessel to plant cutting

Plastic bag: Used to "tent" cutting

What are the steps to grow roses from a cutting?

1. Start by making a cutting from the rose bush you want to propagate. The cutting should be made from new growth, at least 12-inches long, and ideally come from the outside of the plant versus the center.

2. Remove all flowers, buds, and all but the top two set of leaves from the stem. This will help the plant focus on producing roots rather than maintaining flowers, buds, and leaves.

3. Make a fresh cut with your shears just below a stem node (a node is a small bump on the stem from which new leaves or stems will grow). Next, lay the stem down on a work surface or cutting board and make 1/4-inch slits up the stem—essentially dividing it into quarters.

4. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone. If you're using a powder rooting hormone, you will need to wet the stem so that the compound can stick. If you're using gel or liquid form, simply dip away. Note: This step in not 100 percent necessary, but it will help ensure success.

5. Fill a small pot or container with about 6 inches of rose potting soil and poke a small hole in the center. Insert the stem in the hole and take care to avoid rubbing off the rooting hormone. Press down on the soil to help hold the stem in place; water well.

6. Loosely cover the stem and pot with a plastic bag—a bag from the produce section of the grocery store works great for this—making sure the bag does not rest on the leaves. The bag will hold in moisture and help the soil stay moist. If needed, insert a stake into the soil to help hold the bag up and away from the leaves. Do not tie the bag so air can flow in and out and will help prevent mold and fungus growth.

7. Keep an eye on the soil. It should be moist but not damp. The roots should form anywhere from two weeks to eight weeks. Check by very gently tugging on the stem. If you meet resistance, then the roots have grown. Transplant your cutting once new leaves have begun to grow.

How do I use a potato to grow roses from cuttings?

No growth hormone? No problem. Because roses contain a naturally occurring rooting compound, auxin, you can simply poke the cut end of the stem in a potato, and then plant the potato and stem as instructed above. The potato will provide moisture and nutrients that will help the stem root.

What is the "water method" to grow roses from cuttings?

Don’t want to make a run to the store? Try the water method. After prepping the stems, simply place them in a jug filled with 3 to 4 inches of water and wait for them to root. (This can take up to 8 weeks.) Keep an eye on the water level, making sure it doesn't drop too low. Change the water completely if it becomes brown, green, or stinky.