I was excited as a new gardener to see new leaves growing from the stems of some roses I had cut for a bouquet. The blooms were dead, but the stems were still alive and trying to grow! This unexpected event led me to learn more about gardening and how to get those new leaves to fully form into new rose bushes.
In this article, I’ll share what I learned about propagating roses from cut stems. I’ll cover why it happens, how to give the new growth the best chance of survival, and tips for rooting and transplanting the stems. Let’s dig in!
Why Cut Rose Stems Grow New Leaves
Seeing new leaves emerge from the stem of a cut rose may seem like magic but there’s a simple explanation. Roses and many other plants have latent buds along their stems that can sprout new growth when conditions are right.
When you remove a stem from the mother plant, it goes into survival mode and taps into those dormant buds to put out fresh leaves and hopefully new roots. This is the plant’s natural propagation instinct kicking in.
The cut stem works on making leaves and roots while the mother rose bush is focused on flowering. It’s trying to form an entirely new plant!.
Optimal Conditions for Growth
For the best chance of success, you’ll want to mimic natural growing conditions as much as possible. Here are key factors to optimize:
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Water: Keep the cut stems hydrated by placing them in fresh water immediately after cutting. Change the water every few days.
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Warmth: Roses grow best in warm conditions around 70°F (21°C). Keep your stems in a bright spot at room temperature.
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Light: Bright, filtered light keeps roses happy. Near a sunny window is ideal.
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Air circulation: Some air flow prevents mold or rot. Don’t seal the stems in a closed container.
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Time: Wait! It might take weeks or even months for enough roots to grow so you can move the plant.
Providing the right environment gives those nascent leaves the best shot at flourishing into a full plant.
Rooting the Stems
Once the stems have sprouted some leaves, you can begin encouraging root formation. Here are a few rooting methods to try:
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Soil propagation: Bury the lower portion of the stem in a light potting mix. Leave a few leaves exposed. Keep the soil evenly moist.
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Water rooting: Submerge just the bottom 1-2 inches of the stem in a glass of water. Top up the water level as needed.
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Rooting hormone: Dipping the stem ends in powdered or gel rooting hormones can stimulate root growth. Look for products formulated for roses.
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Moist media: Insert stems in moist sphagnum moss or vermiculite in a humidity tent or zipper bag. Spray to keep the media damp.
Check new roots after 4-6 weeks. Slender white roots about 2 inches long mean it’s almost ready for soil!
Transplanting to Soil
Once adequate roots have formed, it’s time to pot up your new rose plant! Follow these tips for transplanting:
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Gently loosen and remove from rooting medium. Don’t disturb new roots.
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Prune stem to 6 inches above roots. Remove lower leaves.
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Plant in a small pot with well-draining potting mix. Bury to first leaves.
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Water well and let it drain fully. Don’t let soil stay soggy.
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Acclimate to sun over a week. Move to full sun location.
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Stake tall stems until established. Pinch off blooms in first year.
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Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growing season.
With attentive care, your propagated rose has a good chance of flourishing! Be patient though – it may take a full season or two to become a mature flowering bush.
Troubleshooting Issues
Not all cut rose stems will succeed. Here are some common issues and how to prevent them:
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Wilting/shriveling: Increase water and humidity. Soak roots before planting.
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Leaves dropping: Move to brighter location. Check for pests/disease.
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Black or mushy stems: Remove from soil and discard. Improve drainage and air flow.
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Few roots formed: Use rooting hormone next time. Give it more time in water/media.
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Transplant shock: Gradually acclimate to sun and outdoors. Mist leaves, keep soil moist but not soaked.
Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts fail. It takes some trial and error to get the process right. Each rose variety also has slightly different propagation needs.
Final Tips for Propagating Rose Cuttings
To close out this beginner’s guide, here are a few helpful tips to remember:
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Take 6-8 inch stem cuttings from vigorous, healthy roses. The newer the wood, the better.
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Make a fresh cut at a 45 degree angle below a leaf node. Remove thorns.
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Disinfect tools between stems to prevent disease spread.
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Change water every 2-3 days. Replace rooting media if it starts smelling bad.
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Keep temps between 65-75°F. Move containers to warmer spot in winter.
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Prune back tall/leggy growths by half. Pinch off early buds.
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Transplant to garden in spring after final frost. Amend soil with compost.
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A 2-4 inch pot is fine for the first year. Repot annually into larger containers.
With the right conditions and a bit of luck, you’ll have a thriving new rose bush started from a simple stem cutting. It’s an extremely rewarding way to propagate your favorite rose varieties for free.
I hope these tips and techniques help you successfully grow new roses from cuttings. Let those leaves be the start of a beautiful perennial addition to your garden!
Taking Cuttings From Roses
When softwood is ready to be cut depends on the weather and other factors. Growing zones in the south are very different from those in the north. Dont base your timing strictly on a calendar; look to your roses — and their fading blooms — instead.
Before you begin, gather these basic items:
- A clean, sharp knife or bypass pruners
- A bucket of warm water, to keep cuttings moist
- RootBoost™ Rooting Hormone
- A small dish to hold the rooting hormone for dipping
- A small stick or pencil to make planting holes
Take rose cuttings from strong, healthy plants during morning hours, when theyre well hydrated. Follow these simple steps:
- Pick a stem or stems from between a dead flower and the rose’s woody base. One stem will make several cuttings.
- Remove the bloom and stem tip. Make a 45-degree cut right above the first set of leaves at the stem’s top and again right above the last set of leaves at the stem’s base. Put cut stems in water immediately.
- For each stem, cut it into four 6- to 8-inch pieces. This is where the leaves will grow on the stems. 1 Keep cuttings moist at all times.
- Take off all the leaves but the ones at the very top of each cutting. 1. This helps cuttings grow roots and lets you see how they’re doing.
- Add a little RootBoostTM rooting hormone to the dish. Pour only what you need, and when you’re done, throw away the rest.
- Wet the bottom half of the cutting and dip it all the way through in the rooting hormone.
- Make a hole in your rooting bed or container that is 3 to 4 inches deep with a stick or pencil. It needs to be big enough so that the cutting can go in without touching the hormone.
- Put the cutting into the hole so that at least two nodes and half of the bottom half of the cutting are covered. Then, pack down the soil around it.
You can make several cuttings from a single rose stem.
Caring for New Rose Cuttings
While your cuttings take root, keep them covered and moist. In a garden bed, a simple DIY mini greenhouse does the trick. Just place a bell jar, a garden cloche or an overturned mason jar over the cutting. A clear plastic bottle with the bottom cut out and the cap removed works, too. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist, but not soggy. Your mini hothouse will keep the humidity high inside.
If your cuttings are in containers, put some decorative twigs around the edges to keep them in place and put a clear plastic bag on top. Mist and water your cuttings, as needed, so they stay hydrated and soil stays moist. Be sure the plastic doesnt rest on your cuttings.
Most softwood rose cuttings will root within 10 to 14 days.1 To test their progress, tug very gently on the cuttings. Youll feel a slight resistance as the new roots form and grow into the soil. A gentle fish- or kelp-based fertilizer during this time provides beneficial nutrients. Once roots are established and plants show strong new growth, you can transplant your new roses to more permanent garden homes.
Some roses root easier than others — old-fashioned heirloom types often root better than modern hybrids — but dont let that keep you from trying your hand at replicating garden favorites and sharing your love of roses and gardening with family and friends. RootBoost™ and GardenTech® brands are here to help you learn and succeed in all your gardening projects, so you can experience all the joys of gardening.
Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions carefully.
GardenTech is a registered trademark of Gulfstream Home and Garden, Inc.
RootBoost is a trademark of Tech Pac, L.L.C.
Sources:
1. University of California-Davis, “Softwood Rose Cuttings,” UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
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FAQ
What to do with cut roses that are sprouting?
If your cut roses are sprouting, you can attempt to propagate them into new plants. Remove the flower and any leaves below the waterline.
Why are my rose cuttings growing leaves but not roots?
Rose cuttings growing leaves but no roots is a common occurrence, as leaves can develop using stored energy in the stem, while roots require specific conditions to form.
Should you take leaves off cut roses?
Remove any leaves from the stem that sit below the water line in your vase. This makes your arrangement look clean and pristine and keeps your water clean as well. Be sure not to remove all of the upper leaves, however. And the roses will die faster because they won’t be able to drink the water right. Aug 30, 2022.
Can roses regrow after being cut?
Old branches are usually too big to be cut by secateurs so you need a good pruning saw. * Don’t worry about cutting back too much. It’s possible to cut all the stems of a rose back to the base, and it will still grow back.
How do you cut roses to grow new leaves?
Hopefully, you can now cut roses growing new leaves easily. Simply cut the flower and trim the rose stems you want, take off the stems’ leaves and buds but leave two or three leaves at the top, add rooting hormones, plant the cuttings in soil, cover them with a plastic bag, and watch them grow until they sprout.
Can a rose grow from a cutting?
The cutting transforms into an autonomous plant that can survive on its own once it has both leaves and roots. Achieving this balance between leaves and roots is the desired outcome when growing roses from cuttings, but occasionally, rose cuttings may generate leaves without sufficient root development.
Are rose cuttings rootless?
Achieving this balance between leaves and roots is the desired outcome when growing roses from cuttings, but occasionally, rose cuttings may generate leaves without sufficient root development. Let’s examine the step-by-step procedure for properly growing rose cuttings and address the problem of leaves developing rootless.
Why are my Rose cuttings growing leaves but not roots?
Here are more reasons why your rose cuttings growing leaves but not roots, along with additional explanations: Roses generally require warm soil temperatures for root development. If the root zone isn’t warm enough, it can hinder root growth even if the plant has enough stored carbohydrates.
How long does it take to grow roses from cut flowers?
You may see white roots pushing out of the bottom and side of the rose cutting in a matter of weeks or about one month after taking and starting the cuttings. When I first attempted growing roses from cut flowers on April 6, I took a few cuttings immediately.
What do rose cuttings look like?
Rose cuttings look like straight stems from roses that are generally six to eight inches in length. The bottom end should be angled and each cutting should have at least a few sets of leaves and leaf nodes. Rose cuttings can be taken from new growth, green wood, or hardwood.