Growing roses from cuttings is a rewarding way to propagate your favorite bushes for free. While rooting roses often requires synthetic rooting hormones, there is a highly effective, all-natural “1-cup trick” that uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen: Honey and Cinnamon.
Honey acts as a natural antiseptic and antifungal agent (protecting the cutting from rot and disease), while cinnamon encourages root growth and also kills fungi. Here is the simple, step-by-step method to grow roses from cuttings using this natural rooting solution.
The 1-Cup Natural Rooting Solution
Ingredients:
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1 cup of warm water
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1 to 2 tablespoons of raw honey (raw is best because it hasn’t been pasteurized, retaining its natural enzymes)
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1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions for the Mixture:
Stir the honey and cinnamon into the cup of warm water until the honey is fully dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before using it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Roses
Step 1: Take the Cutting
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Timing: The best time to take cuttings is in the late spring or early summer when the rose bush is actively growing, but you can have success in the fall too.
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Selecting the Stem: Choose a healthy stem that has recently finished blooming. It should be about the thickness of a pencil.
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Cutting: Using sharp, sterilized pruners, cut a piece of stem that is 6 to 8 inches long. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle (this increases the surface area for water absorption).
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Prep the Stem: Remove all the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, but leave a few leaves at the top. If there are any thorns on the bottom half, gently snap them off. If there is a spent flower or rose hips at the top, cut them off so the plant focuses energy on making roots.
Step 2: Soak in the Natural Solution
Take your prepped rose cutting and dip the bottom 2 inches into the 1-cup honey/cinnamon mixture. For best results, let the cutting soak in the mixture for 2 to 3 hours. This allows the stem to drink up the natural rooting hormones and seal itself against bacteria.
Step 3: Apply Dry Cinnamon
Remove the cutting from the liquid. Before planting, dip the wet end of the stem into a small bowl of dry, ground cinnamon powder. This will coat the cut end and act as a powerful antifungal barrier once it is in the soil.
Step 4: Plant the Cutting
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Container: Use a small pot with excellent drainage.
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Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix, ideally a mix of perlite and peat moss or a standard seed-starting mix. (Garden soil is too heavy and can rot the cutting).
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Planting: Poke a hole in the soil with a pencil, then insert the cutting (bottom half down) into the hole. Firm the soil around it so it stands upright.
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Water: Water the soil thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pot.
Step 5: Create a Mini Greenhouse
Rose cuttings need high humidity to survive because they don’t have roots yet to drink water. Cover the pot and cutting with a clear plastic bag, a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, or a glass cloche. Ensure the plastic is not directly resting on the leaves by propping it up with sticks if necessary. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, but out of direct sunlight (direct sun will cook the cutting inside the plastic).
Step 6: Patience and Monitoring
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Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Misting the inside of the plastic bag daily helps maintain humidity.
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Rooting Time: It usually takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks for roots to form. You will know it has rooted when you gently tug on the cutting and feel resistance, or when you see new green leaves beginning to form.
Once the cutting has a strong root system and new growth, you can transplant it into a larger pot or into your garden.
Note: While this natural method works wonderfully for many heirloom and shrub roses, some modern hybrid roses are grafted onto hardy rootstock and may not grow as vigorously on their own roots. However, they will still grow and bloom!