How to Grow Roses from Cuttings (With Simple Steps)

When you have a husband with a rose addiction, you get used to a collection of pots filled with rose cuttings sitting in the yard. Learning how to grow roses from cuttings is one of the most affordable ways to build a rose garden—and maybe the most satisfying, too.

We’ve been known to pull over along a country road and snip a stem from a wild rose growing along the wood line. If we’re visiting family, we usually don’t leave without a few cuttings tucked into a water bottle on the ride home. Although we’re far from experts at propagating roses, we’ve had good success using these simple steps.

How to Grow Roses from Cuttings

1. Cut a stem from the rose bush, about 10–12 inches long.
2. Remove any blooms, along with all the leaves on the lower half of the stem.
3. Make a hole in the potting soil using a stick or pencil, then plant the cutting about halfway up the stem. I’ve recently started experimenting with rooting hormone, but I’ve also had good results without it. If you choose to use rooting hormone, dampen the stem and dip it in the powder before planting.
4. Place the pot in a warm, bright spot with indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
5. Watch and wait. Your rose should be rooted within 4–6 weeks. Look for new green leaves as a sign that roots are forming.

Propagating Tips

• Start more cuttings than you think you’ll need—some won’t make it. If you end up with too many roses, gift a few. But really… can there be too many roses?
• Make sure you have at least three nodes (where leaves grow) on the lower portion of the stem that’s planted in the soil.
• Natural alternatives such as willow extract, aloe vera, and honey, can be used instead of rooting hormone when propagating plants that will be used for food or medicinal purposes.
• You can cover the pots with clear plastic to help retain moisture and encourage growth.
• Wait until the roses look well established before transplanting them into the ground or into larger pots. If your cuttings don’t develop or turn brown, don’t be discouraged—just try again.

Growing roses from cuttings takes a little patience, but it’s well worth the wait. Whether from a roadside stop, a family visit, or a shared clipping from a friend, each one carries its own story. (And you know how much I love things with a good story!) In time, your garden will be filled not only with blooms, but with memories.

Important to note: It’s illegal to propagate roses from patented varieties. It’s smart to only take cuttings when and where it’s permitted.

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