How To Propagate Roses

Written by Kathryn Koehler
Updated: August 23, 2023
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Roses, with their stunning blooms and enchanting fragrance, have captivated gardeners and romantics alike for centuries. Whether you’re an avid gardener seeking to expand your rose collection or simply a novice gardener who yearns to nurture these delicate beauties, the art of propagating roses opens up a world of possibilities. From the thrill of watching a tender cutting take root and grow into a flourishing plant to the anticipation of witnessing the first exquisite petals unfurl, the journey of propagating roses is a satisfying endeavor that combines both science and art. So, put on your gardening gloves, and let’s embark on an adventure where patience, care, and a touch of magic come together to bring forth nature’s most cherished symbol of love and beauty, as we discover how to propagate roses!

Smelling pink roses in the garden.

Roses, with their stunning blooms and enchanting fragrance, have captivated gardeners and romantics alike for centuries.

©iStock.com/morrowlight

What is a Rose?

A rose is a flowering plant belonging to the genus Rosa in the Rosaceae family. Roses are renowned for their beautiful and fragrant flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They have been cultivated and appreciated by humans for centuries, symbolizing love, beauty, and elegance.
There are thousands of rose cultivars. These varieties encompass a diverse range of flower forms, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, climbers, and shrubs. Roses exhibit a kaleidoscope of colors, from classic reds, pinks, and whites to vibrant yellows, oranges, and even multi-colored combinations. The next time you see a particularly striking rose, follow these simple steps to have your own!

Knock Out roses are perfect for midwest gardens in the U.S.

A rose is a flowering plant belonging to the genus

Rosa

in the

Rosaceae

family.

©Molly Shannon/Shutterstock.com

How To Propagate Roses: Methods

There are several methods of propagating roses, each with its own advantages and considerations. One common technique is grafting, which involves combining the desirable qualities of one rose variety, known as the scion, with the strong root system of another rose variety, called the rootstock. Grafting requires expertise and precision to ensure a successful union between the two components.
Another method is trenching, which involves bending a long, flexible cane from an established rose plant into a trench and covering it with soil. Over time, the buried portion of the cane develops roots, allowing it to be cut from the parent plant and transplanted as an independent rose plant. Trenching is a technique particularly suitable for climbers and ramblers, as it promotes the growth of multiple new plants from a single source.
However, one of the most popular and straightforward methods for propagating roses is through cuttings. This involves taking a stem from a healthy rose plant, treating the bottom end with rooting hormone (optional), and then planting it directly into the soil or placing it in water to develop roots.

graft rose flower, plant in thailand

Grafting requires expertise and precision to ensure a successful union between the two components.

©suthiphong yina/Shutterstock.com

How To Propagate Roses: Types of Stem Cuttings

There are three distinct types of cuttings from which you can propagate a rose:

  • Softwood cuttings: This method involves taking cuttings from young, flexible stems in the spring or early summer.
  • Semi-hardwood cuttings: This method combines aspects of both softwood and hardwood cuttings. It involves taking cuttings from partially mature stems in late summer or early fall.
  • Hardwood cuttings: Hardwood cuttings are taken from mature stems during the dormant season, in late fall or winter.

For our purposes, we will be discussing/describing propagation using softwood cuttings.

How To Propagate Roses: Preparing the Cutting

Select a healthy rose plant from which to take a cutting. Choose a stem that is 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long and free from disease and pests. Using a shape, sterile (wiping the blade down with rubbing alcohol or vinegar will sterilize it) pruner, make a diagonal cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf joins the stem). The cutting should have at least 5 sets of leaves. Strip off the lower leaves from the bottom one-third to one-half of the cutting. This will prevent the leaves from rotting in the soil. If desired, you can dip the cut end of the rose cutting in a rooting hormone. Rooting hormone helps stimulate root growth and increase the chances of successful rooting. Follow the instructions on the product for the appropriate application.

Cut from the bush rose cuttings are prepared for planting in the ground

Place the rose cutting in the planting hole, burying at least 2-3 nodes.

©iStock.com/Olga Evtushkova

Planting the Cutting in Soil

Choose a suitable location in your garden. Roses require a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Dig a hole in the soil that is deep enough to accommodate the rose cutting. The hole should be 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) deep. Place the rose cutting in the planting hole, burying at least 2-3 nodes. The leaf nodes will develop roots. Gently tamp the soil around the cutting to secure it in place. Water the newly planted cutting thoroughly, making sure the soil is evenly moist. Place a clear plastic bag or a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off over the cutting to create a mini greenhouse effect. Monitor the moisture level of the soil and water ensuring it remains consistently moist. Applying a layer of mulch around the cutting helps retain moisture.

The cuttings of roses are rooted under a five liter plastic bottle. Planting roses under a transparent shelter. Breeding roses cuttings. Green escape under cover stock photo

Place a clear plastic bag or a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off over the cutting to create a mini greenhouse effect.

©iStock.com/Valentina Sheboltaeva

How To Propagate Roses: Propagation in Water

Propagating a rose cutting in water follows the same first steps as above. Choose a stem of 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). Remove it from the existing plant with a sterile blade. Strip off its lower leaves. Next, select a clean container, usually a glass or jar. Make certain that the container is deep enough to submerge the lower portion of the cutting. Fill the jar with fresh, room-temperature water. Place the cutting into the jar of water. Keep the remaining leaves above the waterline.
Place the container with the cutting in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun can overheat the water, harming the cutting. Maintain a consistent water level in the container, ensuring the submerged portion of the cutting remains in the water. Change the water regularly to prevent stagnation and the growth of harmful bacteria. Fresh water helps maintain oxygen levels and prevents the cutting from rotting. You will begin to observe the development of roots from the submerged portion of the cutting. Depending on a number of factors, this stage can take from a few weeks to several months.
Once the roots have grown to a length of at least 2 inches (5 cm), it’s time to transplant the cutting into the soil. Carefully remove the cutting from the water, transferring it directly into a prepared garden bed.
Once planted, water the newly transplanted rose cutting thoroughly and continue to provide appropriate care to encourage further root development and overall growth. With both direct-to-soil propagation and water propagation from cuttings, you can expect to see the fruits of your labor in 1-3 years.

n the room on the table there is a vase in which there are garden rose sprouts. Nearby are garden tools and a pot. From a series of photos about plant breeding, seedlings and plant propagation.

Place the stem cutting into the jar of water. Keep the remaining leaves above the waterline.

©Kokhan O/Shutterstock.com

How To Propagate Roses: The Potato Method

Propagating a rose cutting using a potato is an interesting, though somewhat unconventional method of propagating roses. The potato acts as a moisture-retaining medium and provides nutrients to support root development. Once again, choose a healthy rose plant from which to take a cutting. Look for a healthy stem that is 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in length. Ensure that the cutting has at least 2-3 sets of leaves. Select a medium-sized potato and make a hole in it using a sterile knife or skewer. The hole should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the rose cutting.

The potato acts as a moisture-retaining medium and provides nutrients to support root development.

©Gapeeva Anastasiia/Shutterstock.com

Taking the prepared rose cutting, insert the bottom end into the hole in the potato. Ensure the cutting is secure and the bottom end is submerged in the potato. Bury the potato with the inserted rose cutting into the soil, leaving the top portion of the cutting exposed. Water the soil thoroughly. Plant the cutting in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sun daily. The rose cutting should start developing roots within a couple of weeks. The cutting will begin to produce new growth within a few months. Blooms, however, will not begin to appear for a least a year or more.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © photowind/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Kathryn Koehler is a writer at A-Z-Animals where her focus is on unusual animals, places, and events. Kat has over 20 years of experience as a professional writer and educator. She holds a master's degree from Vanderbilt University. When she is not writing for A-Z-Animals, Kat enjoys puttering in her garden, baking deliciously healthful treats for her family, and playing with her two rescue mutts, Popcorn and Scooter. She resides in Tennessee.

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