How To Make Rose Plant From Another Rose Plant – A Gardener’S

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever admired a friend’s spectacular rose bush, with its perfect blooms and intoxicating fragrance, and wished you could have that exact plant in your own garden? What if I told you that you could—without spending a single penny at the garden center?

It sounds almost too good to be true, but it’s one of gardening’s most rewarding secrets. The process is called propagation, and this guide will show you exactly how to make rose plant from another rose plant using a simple stem cutting. It’s a timeless skill that connects you more deeply with your garden and its cycles.

Imagine filling your borders with more of your favorite rose, creating heartfelt, living gifts for friends and family, or preserving a precious heirloom variety passed down through generations. This is the magic you can create with your own two hands.

Ready to unlock this simple, sustainable skill? Let’s dive into this complete guide and learn how to turn one beloved rose into a whole new generation of beauty.

Why Propagate Roses? The Wonderful Benefits of Making New Plants

Before we grab our pruning shears, let’s talk about the “why.” Understanding the benefits of how to make rose plant from another rose plant can be incredibly motivating. This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about becoming a more connected and resourceful gardener.

Here are a few of the top reasons to learn this skill:

  • It’s Completely Free: Create dozens of new plants from a single parent bush. This is the ultimate budget-friendly way to expand your garden.
  • Create Exact Clones: Unlike growing from seed, which can result in genetic variations, a cutting creates a new plant that is an exact replica of the parent. You get the same color, fragrance, and growth habit you already love.
  • Preserve Heirloom Varieties: Do you have a sentimental rose from a grandparent’s garden? Taking cuttings is the best way to ensure its legacy continues for years to come.
  • A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practice: This is a perfect example of sustainable how to make rose plant from another rose plant. You reduce waste, skip the plastic pots from nurseries, and lower your carbon footprint by growing right at home.
  • Perfect for Sharing: A rooted cutting from your favorite rose makes a wonderfully personal and cherished gift for fellow garden lovers.

Gathering Your Tools: What You’ll Need for Success

Like any good project, success starts with having the right tools on hand. Don’t worry—you don’t need a professional laboratory! Most of these items are likely already in your garden shed.

Here’s your checklist:

  1. Sharp, Clean Pruning Shears or a Knife: This is non-negotiable. A clean, sharp cut is crucial for the health of both the parent plant and the cutting. Dull blades can crush the stem, making it harder for roots to form. Pro Tip: Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before and after each use to prevent the spread of disease.
  2. A Healthy Parent Rose Plant: Choose a vigorous, well-established rose that is free of pests and diseases like black spot or powdery mildew.
  3. Rooting Hormone (Optional but Recommended): Available as a powder, gel, or liquid, rooting hormone contains auxins that significantly increase the success rate of rooting. It’s a small investment that pays off big. For an eco-friendly how to make rose plant from another rose plant approach, you can try dipping the end in honey or aloe vera gel.
  4. Small Pots or a Seed Tray: 4-6 inch pots with drainage holes are perfect. Ensure they are clean to avoid any lingering pathogens.
  5. Potting Medium: A light, well-draining mix is key. You can use a seed-starting mix or create your own by blending equal parts perlite (or coarse sand) and peat moss (or coco coir). Avoid using heavy garden soil, as it compacts easily and can lead to rot.
  6. A Clear Plastic Bag or Bottle: This will act as a mini-greenhouse to maintain the high humidity your cutting needs to survive before it has roots.

The Perfect Cut: Choosing and Preparing Your Rose Stem

The success of your new rose plant hinges on selecting the right cutting. The timing and type of stem you choose are critical. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the stems are in a stage known as softwood or semi-hardwood.

This means the stem is new growth from the current season—it should be firm enough to not be floppy but still flexible enough to bend slightly. A good test is the “snap test”: if it bends easily, it’s too soft; if it’s stiff and woody, it’s too old. You want the one in the middle that snaps cleanly when bent sharply.

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Finding the Ideal Stem

Look for a long, straight, and healthy stem that has recently flowered. A stem that is about the thickness of a pencil is ideal. The flower having just faded is a good sign that the stem has the right energy stored up for root production.

Preparing the Cutting

Once you’ve selected your stem, it’s time to prepare it. This is one of the most important how to make rose plant from another rose plant best practices. Follow these steps carefully:

  1. Cut the Stem: From the parent plant, cut a section that is about 6-8 inches long. Make your cut just above a leaf node (the little bump where a leaf grows from).
  2. Trim the Top: Find the top of your 6-8 inch cutting and make a straight cut just above the top-most leaf set. Remove the faded flower and any flower buds.
  3. Make the Bottom Cut: At the bottom of the cutting, make a 45-degree angled cut just below a leaf node. This angled cut exposes more of the cambium layer, which is where roots will emerge.
  4. Remove Lower Leaves: Carefully strip off all the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. You want to leave only two or three sets of leaves at the very top. This reduces water loss through transpiration and directs the plant’s energy toward making roots, not supporting foliage.
  5. (Optional) Lightly Wound the Stem: With your clean knife, make one or two shallow, vertical slices (about an inch long) at the very bottom of the stem. This can also encourage more root growth.

Your Complete Guide on How to Make Rose Plant from Another Rose Plant

You have your tools and your perfectly prepared cutting. Now for the exciting part! This is the core of our how to make rose plant from another rose plant guide. Let’s get that cutting planted and on its way to becoming a new rose bush.

Step 1: Apply the Rooting Hormone

Pour a small amount of rooting hormone powder onto a clean dish or piece of paper. Never dip your cutting directly into the main container, as this can contaminate it.

Moisten the bottom inch of your rose cutting with water, then gently dip and roll it in the powder, tapping off any excess. You only need a light, even coating.

Step 2: Plant the Cutting

Fill your clean pot with the pre-moistened potting mix. Use a pencil or your finger to poke a hole in the center of the soil. This prevents the rooting hormone from being wiped off as you insert the cutting.

Carefully place your cutting into the hole, ensuring it goes deep enough so that at least two nodes are buried beneath the soil surface. Gently firm the soil around the stem to hold it securely in place.

Step 3: Water and Create a Humid Environment

Water the pot gently but thoroughly to settle the soil around the cutting. Allow any excess water to drain away completely.

Now, create your mini-greenhouse. You can place a clear plastic bag over the top of the pot, securing it with a rubber band (use sticks to keep the bag from touching the leaves). Alternatively, you can cut the bottom off a large plastic soda bottle and place it over the cutting like a cloche. This is the secret to keeping the cutting hydrated while it works on growing roots.

Nurturing New Life: The Rose Cutting Care Guide

Your work isn’t done yet! The next 4-8 weeks are a critical waiting period. This is the ultimate how to make rose plant from another rose plant care guide for this delicate stage.

  • Location, Location, Location: Place your potted cutting in a warm spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will be too intense and can scorch or dry out the cutting before it has a chance to root.
  • Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Check it every few days. The plastic cover will help retain a lot of moisture, so you won’t need to water as often.
  • Provide Airflow: Once a day, briefly remove the plastic cover for about 10-15 minutes to allow for fresh air circulation. This helps prevent fungal issues like mold or rot.
  • Be Patient! Rooting can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer. You’ll know you have success when you see new leaf growth appearing. This is the sign that a root system has formed and can support new foliage. You can also give the cutting a very gentle tug—if you feel resistance, you have roots!
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Troubleshooting: Common Problems with How to Make Rose Plant from Another Rose Plant

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things go wrong. Don’t be discouraged! Every gardener has had cuttings fail. Here are some common problems with how to make rose plant from another rose plant and how to fix them.

Problem: The cutting turned black and mushy.

Cause: This is almost always due to rot from too much water or a non-sterile environment.

Solution: Ensure your potting mix is very well-draining and that you aren’t overwatering. Always use clean tools and pots. Increase airflow by removing the plastic cover for longer each day.

Problem: The cutting shriveled and dried up.

Cause: Not enough humidity, or it was placed in direct sun.

Solution: Make sure your plastic “greenhouse” is secure and doesn’t have large gaps. Move the pot to a location with only indirect light.

Problem: Mold is growing on the soil or stem.

Cause: Lack of air circulation.

Solution: Remove the plastic cover daily for ventilation. If you see mold, you can try gently scraping it off the soil surface. Ensure your leaves aren’t touching the plastic bag.

Frequently Asked Questions About Propagating Roses

Can I root a rose cutting in water?

While it is possible to root some rose cuttings in water, the success rate is much lower. The roots that form in water are different and often weaker than those formed in soil, and they can struggle to adapt when transplanted. For the best results, we recommend rooting directly in a potting medium.

What is the best type of rose to take cuttings from?

Floribunda and shrub roses tend to be some of the easiest to propagate from cuttings. Old-fashioned, hardy climbing roses also root well. Hybrid tea roses can sometimes be more challenging, but it’s always worth a try! Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners to experiment with!

When can I plant my new rose outside?

Patience is key. After your cutting has a healthy set of roots and is showing vigorous new leaf growth, you’ll want to “harden it off.” This means gradually acclimating it to outdoor conditions over a week or two. Start by placing it in a sheltered, shady spot for an hour a day, slowly increasing the time and exposure. It’s best to let it grow in its pot for a full season to develop a strong root system before planting it in its final garden spot.

Your Journey to a Garden Full of Roses

There you have it—everything you need to know on how to make rose plant from another rose plant. It’s a simple, magical process that transforms you from just a plant owner into a true plant creator.

Remember that practice makes perfect. Your first attempt may not be successful, and that’s completely okay. Each attempt is a learning experience that makes you a better gardener. The joy you’ll feel when you see that first new leaf unfurl on a cutting you nurtured yourself is truly unmatched.

So go on, take a look around your garden or ask a friend for a stem from their favorite bush. You have the knowledge and the power to create more beauty in the world, one rose cutting at a time. Go forth and grow!

Rimon Chowdhury
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