How to Grow Roses From Cuttings—Plus Expert Tips for Ensuring Success

Growing roses from cuttings of an established rosebush is one way you can expand your rose garden. Take cuttings in the spring or fall from bushes, such as English, hybrid, tea, miniature roses, climbing roses, Knock Out, or any other non-patented rose varieties. Though it’s a great way to propagate roses, this method requires patience before your newly planted cuttings deliver blooms. We spoke with an expert on exactly how to grow roses from cuttings, including how to take the perfect cuttings, planting them in pots or in the ground, and how to protect them so they blossom into thriving rose bushes.   

How to Take a Rose Stem Cutting

A clean, healthy stem cutting can form the basis of a brand new rosebush. Take the following steps to obtain a rose stem cutting.

Materials Needed

• Pruning shears or sharp knife
  

Instructions

• Look for a 4- to 6-inch piece of stem near the top of the plant (never cut the tip since that is where the plant is still growing). 
• Use sharp pruning shears to snip below a node, the area where new leaves form, leaving approximately three nodes on the top half of the stem. 
• Make sure that the upper half of your clipping has leaves so your plant can receive nutrients once it's replanted in soil. 
• Repeat the process. Filter recommends taking several clippings at once since it's unlikely all of the cuttings will yield growth.

How to Grow Roses From Stem Cuttings

Plant the stem cuttings in small pots; after a root ball forms, move them to your outdoor garden.

Materials Needed

• Powdered rooting hormone
• Small plastic pots or other containers
• Soil mixture

Instructions

• Moisten the bottom of each stem and dip it into a rooting hormone powder, which helps stimulate growth, says Filter.
• Clean used plastic containers or small pots with bleach and water to remove lingering bacteria.
• Plant one clipping per vessel in a nutrient-rich soil mixture.
• Place the pots in a well-lit area.
• Water regularly while the cuttings grow; keep the soil moist, but don't overwater.
• When a root ball forms—typically after about a week—transplant the cutting to the ground.

Tips for Growing Roses From Cuttings

Here are Filter's best practices for helping your delicate stem cuttings grow into thriving roses.

Check the Root Ball

After planting your cutting in its first small pot, watch the leaves for signs of success. If the existing foliage remains "perky and attached to the plant," then you know the clipping will make it, says Filter. It should take about a week for the roots to take hold. Gently lift one of the plantings out of its container to check for roots. If a root ball is evident, then it's likely your other clippings are in a similar state and ready to be transplanted.

Protect the New Plant

After planting your cutting in the ground, water it regularly. Expect to see new buds form within three to four months. During the first or second winter after propagation, protect the young leaves with a chicken wire enclosure, burlap, or extra mulch around the base of the plant, says Filter.

Watch for Signs of Pests and Disease

Roses are prone to pests, such as spider mites—symptoms of which can appear as discoloration or dark spots on foliage. If you find these pesky creatures, clip off infected leaves with shears and wipe the remaining foliage with a damp cloth. Watch for powdery mildew which appears as a white, powdery substance. Clip off leaves exhibiting mildew and spray the plant generously with a fungicide.