rose water in ear

Whether you’re looking to multiply a stunning rose plant from your garden or transform a Valentine’s bouquet into a flourishing rose bush, it’s natural to desire more colorful and beautiful rose bushes and vines in your home and garden. Many plant enthusiasts have experimented with growing roses from cuttings. Various propagation methods exist, such as rooting in soil or water, air layering, and even using potatoes for cuttings. While some of these techniques yield great results, others can be less effective.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best and worst ways to propagate roses, whether from a garden plant, cut flowers, or a bouquet. Imagine the joy of having more roses in your garden or as lovely gifts for friends! 

CAN YOU PROPAGATE PATENTED ROSES?

A plant patent lasts for 20 years, after which the plant can be propagated without restriction. If you’re considering propagating rose cuttings, keep in mind that if the roses were patented within the last two decades, it is illegal to propagate them without the patent holder’s consent.

However, there are countless varieties of roses that you can propagate. For instance, the renowned “New Dawn” and “Charlotte Armstrong” roses have been patented for over 50 years, and many old-fashioned heirloom roses often root more easily than modern hybrids.

New Dawn Roses

Charlotte Armstrong Rose

Now that you know which roses to avoid propagating, let’s explore the best and easiest methods for rooting rose cuttings!

BEST TIME TO GROW ROSES FROM CUTTINGS 

The ideal time to grow roses from cuttings is during spring and summer when flexible new stems, known as softwood cuttings, are actively growing. These cuttings are the fastest and easiest to root, especially when you choose healthy stems. For some inspiration, check out the beautiful rooted rose cuttings showcased by Vuon & Nha on YouTube! (See video tutorial below.)

The next best option is semi-hardwood cuttings, which should be taken in late summer and early fall when the new stems have partially matured.

Hardwood cuttings are the most challenging type to root. These cuttings are collected in late fall or early winter when the rose stems have matured and entered dormancy.

GROW ROSES FROM CUTTINGS BY AIR LAYERING 

Air layering is an ancient and effective propagation method that has been used for thousands of years. Today, there are convenient products like reusable air layering pods, or you can easily make your own using small water bottles or plastic bags.

This technique is the best way to propagate roses (and many woody plants) from a bush or vine already growing in your garden or a friend’s garden. One of the advantages of air layering is that you don’t need rooting powder to succeed. The ideal time for this method is in late spring or summer when the weather is warm and the rose bushes are actively growing.

To start, select a stem about the thickness of a pencil and longer than a foot. Using a clean, sharp knife, make a cut about one foot down from the top of the stem, removing any leaves and thorns in that area. Carefully peel off about an inch of the green bark to expose the white wood beneath.

Alternatively, you can make a 2-inch cut along the stem and insert a small piece of plastic straw to keep the cut open, as demonstrated in the video tutorial by Vuon & Nha. Be cautious not to cut too deeply into the stem to avoid breaking it. Optionally, dust the cut area with rooting hormone to speed up the rooting process.

Next, create a pouch using plastic wrap or a small plastic bottle filled with moist peat moss, coir, or potting soil. Coco coir is an excellent choice because it’s sustainable and clean. Ensure the cut area is completely covered with enough space for the roots to grow, and secure the top and bottom with strings or a twist tie (not too tight to allow for plant growth). You can also use reusable air layering pods for convenience.

Since the stem remains attached to the parent plant, it continues to receive water and nutrients while roots develop, which significantly boosts the success rate to nearly 100%! Most rose plants will show white roots in about 3 to 5 weeks. Once you see a healthy root system, clip the stem off below the layering area.

Gently remove the ties and covers, then carefully plant your new rose plants. Keep them well-watered and shielded from direct sunlight for a couple of weeks to help them adjust to their new environment.

Grow roses from cuttings in soil or medium 

To propagate rose cuttings successfully, start by filling clean pots or containers with a rooting mix and water it thoroughly until it’s moist and fully hydrated. You can use clean potting soil or a soil-less mix like sand, peat moss, perlite, or coco coir, which is an excellent medium due to its sustainability and cleanliness.

Photo by Hedgerow Rose

Important: Ensure that the containers have drainage holes and never let them sit in water for too long.

Photo by Grownups

Steps to Propagate Roses from Cuttings:
Choose Healthy Cuttings: Take rose cuttings only from well-watered, healthy plants. Select fresh stems that have grown from the woody base, with at least 3-5 leaf nodes. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle near the base and place them in water immediately.

Check out the video tutorial by Vuon & Nha on YouTube for more tips on propagating rose cuttings in coco coir!

Prepare the Cuttings: Cut the stem into pieces that are 6 to 8 inches long, ensuring each has at least three nodes (the points where leaves meet the stem). Remove all flower buds and leaves except for one set of leaves at the top of each cutting.

Use Rooting Hormone: Dip the bottom half of each cutting in rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root growth. Use a pencil to make a planting hole about 3 to 4 inches deep in your rooting mix, then plant the cutting so that at least two nodes are buried in the mix.

Create a Humidity Tent: Keep the cuttings in a warm, bright place, away from direct sunlight. Water the mix when the top inch feels dry. You can use recycled coffee cups or large jars as a humidity tent (as shown by Pamela at Flower Patch Farm), or even prop up a plastic bag or use a mini greenhouse for added humidity.

For tips on using a humidity cover made from plastic bottles, check out this YouTube tutorial by Mike.

Monitor Root Growth: Most softwood rose cuttings will root within 2 to 6 weeks. If you see healthy leaves growing and feel some resistance when gently tugging on the cuttings (but be careful not to pull too hard), it’s a good sign that they have rooted.

Final Steps: Once the cuttings have established roots, you can remove the humidity cover and allow them to grow for a couple more weeks before transplanting.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to successfully propagating beautiful rose plants! For additional inspiration, check out propagation examples by Lilisim.

Can you root rose cuttings in water?

While it’s possible to root rose cuttings in water, the success rate is low—around 20%. Cuttings often take a long time to root and are prone to rotting. For better results, consider using soil or layering methods, which can yield an 80% success rate.

Can you grow rose cuttings using potatoes? 

There’s a trend of using potatoes to grow rose cuttings, but there’s little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Many gardeners have reported failures with this method. While potatoes may sprout roots, they do not provide the necessary environment for rose cuttings to thrive, as they require a medium that retains moisture and allows for air circulation.

Alternative Easy Propagation

Hydrangeas are among the easiest flowers to propagate. Whether using soil or water, you can achieve nearly 100% success with proper techniques.

For successful rose propagation, stick to soil mediums or air layering. Enjoy your gardening!