How to take rose cuttings

You will need

Rose plant
Secateurs
Rooting hormone (liquid or powder)
Pots
Gritty compost mix made from equal parts horticultural grit (or perlite) and multi-purpose compost

Do it: August - September

Takes just: 45 minutes

Project categories

Overview

Roses can be grown successfully from cuttings and will grow on to make good flowering plants. Choose healthy stems of the current season's growth and follow our step-by-step advice to be sure of success. Roots will be produced over the winter months so that the rose cuttings can be potted in spring or early summer next season.

How to do it

1You can take cuttings from any type of rose you choose, but just make sure you select long, strong, healthy stems from this season's growth, not old wood.

2Make the cuttings 25cm long, cutting above a bud at the top to remove the shoot tip and below one at the base. Leave one leaf at the top and remove all the lower leaves.

3Dip the base of the cutting into rooting hormone mixture. Insert several cuttings into a large pot of gritty compost.

4Water well, place the pot in a shaded spot and leave until cuttings have rooted. Keep the compost moist. Pot up rose plants individually when well rooted, probably next summer.

Adam's tip

Plant several rose cuttings to allow for some not rooting.

If you don't have space for pots, you can root cuttings directly into the soil in the garden.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to take rose cuttings

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Trelou 24/11/2011 at 15:28

I was thrilled to find the advice on taking a rose cutting as my daughter had recently asked me for a cutting of one of my gorgeous coloured fab smelling roses. I thought i knew how to take a cutting but i didn't know where you should take it from! Now i know and i shall be giving it a go next month (August)
I'll let you know how i get on.

littlehelen 24/11/2011 at 15:28

I have been off work due to illness, so i have used my time by taking cuttings to see how green fingered i am!! and so for my cuttings are doing well !

basil 24/11/2011 at 15:28

I am going to have a go and will let you know how I get on. Having said that I have taken a Rose out of a bunch bought for my wife, just shoved it in the garden and to my amazement it is growing. Wow!!

rubbish 24/11/2011 at 15:28

Good if you intend to move house and have to leave 'old friends' behind.

richard_taylor 24/11/2011 at 15:28

We'd been looking to buy a "Buff Beauty" rose due to memories of a beloved dog, to take with us when we move, but couldn't find one.
I'd thought you couldn't take rose cuttings, due to the more robust root stock a modern rose needs to be grafted onto.
now I'm going out to take a few cuttings!!

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