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HOW TO TAKE ROSE CUTTINGS
Home Blog How to Take Rose Cuttings
June 23rd 2025

How to Take Rose Cuttings
Written by
Floret

There are few things more thrilling than learning how to propagate roses from cuttings. Knowing how to multiply your favorite varieties and how to preserve treasured heirlooms is both exhilarating and addicting. Last year I took more than 1,500!

We’ve just started to take rose cuttings here at the farm, and I thought you might enjoy seeing how it’s done. There are a few tricks that I’ve picked up along the way that have increased our success rate considerably, and I’m excited to share them with you. The rose featured in this video is ‘Dupontii’.

I hope this helps take some of the mystery out of the process and inspires you to get out into the garden and try your hand at it.

SUPPLIES

Gloves

Sharp pruners

Rose cuttings

Basket to hold cuttings (I used a trugg) or jar of water (if not propagating right away)

Good-draining potting soil (something with plenty of organic matter and perlite, etc.)

Tall pot
Nursery band pots
4 in pot
SureRoots Deep 50 Cell Plug Tray (good for taking many cuttings)

Rooting hormone
Wood’s liquid rooting concentrate
Dip ‘N Grow
Hormex rooting powder #3

Water (to dilute liquid rooting hormone)

Pencil

Labels

Permanent marker

Watering can or hose with attachment

A way to keep cuttings moist, either:

Clear dome lid and spray bottle

Misting system and timer
Dripworks Greenhouse Kit
Mist Timer II
Metal pipes (to create an enclosure)
Plastic (to create an enclosure)

Square gallon pot (to repot once rooted, after about 6 to 8 weeks)

RESOURCES

Helpmefind.com: Look up rose varieties to check for patents before taking a cutting.

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71 Comments

  1. Nicole on

    Hi Floret team!

    1. Does the root form from the “bottom” of the stem (the part cut from the plant) or straight out the sides of the stem? My assumption is out the sides, and the reason for the tall pots, but also thought maybe the height of the pot was just to give the stem support.

    2. What was the red string in the misters holding? Looked like maybe a label?

    Thank you for all the help, and thank you, Erin, for the “Boop” sound effect encouragement!

    Reply

  2. Laura Osborne on

    I live at 7700 ft in Colorado. I want to take cuttings of an old yellow rose that is very hardy here. I am wondering:
    1. Would I still want a very hot environment during rooting?
    2. For overwintering, how warm do the cuttings need to be? How much light do they need? I’m only doing 10 and don’t have a greenhouse. I do have lovely south facing solar windows- would that be better or my garage has some nice windows but hovers around 30-40 degrees December-March. I also have a seedling set up so I could add lights if needed in the garage.
    3. How do you know if the plants have rooted (or do you just dig up one and check)?

    Reply

  3. Mandy on

    What time of year do you make your cuttings?

    Reply

    • Team Floret on

      Early summer is what has worked best for us.

  5. Susan J on

    I love your enthusiasm for gardening. You explain what to look for in plants. I’d say you are an excellent teacher as a gardener. I get excited and want to work in my yard after I watch your videos as well as Instagram. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  6. Rosemary on

    Erin
    I love your enthusiasm and love for what you do and share with us all the ins and outs of growing different plants.
    My question about the roses… is summertime the best time to propagate?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Team Floret on

      I believe so but it seems like from first flower to early autumn are the easiest to get them to root. For some of the old alba and species rose varieties it’s said that hardwood cuttings stuck in the fall and left to winter over in the ground is best but we haven’t tried that yet.

  7. Cheryl Elkins on

    Thank you a new adventure can’t wait to get started.

    Reply

  8. Lauren Richardson on

    Thank you so much for posting this! After trying to do this myself about 3 times without success I have hope to try again!

    Best, Lauren

    Reply

  9. Tammy on

    Erin,
    I just love you for doing this and yes, see, it is possible and wonderful. Your print out with everything we need with the visual video is amazing for learning. Thanks so much!

    Reply

  10. Suzanne LaFreniere on

    I’m curious if you could answer why so much leaf is left on each cutting after you prep the stems ??

    I’ve been propagating roses on a small scale for about 20 years, for myself, neighbors and friends .
    Quite a few DA roses out of patent and some hard to find ramblers and some favs for cut roses ( I was a florist for 20 years) , anyway I’ve always just left 2 small leaves at the top of each cutting , well of course if leaving more leaves would improve rooting success than I’m all in!

    Is there a reason for so many leaves left on or is it a requirement for the misting set up ?

    Loved your video, thanks
    Suzanne LaFreniere

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      This is what our friend and expert rosarian Gregg Lowery taught us to do so we’re just following his advice

  11. Petra on

    Wow! Great information about why my propagation rate is not what it used to be. Thank you so much for sharing this info in such a lovely way.
    Also I’m fascinated that my “Kiftsgate” so closely resembles your Dupontii. Note though that Mr. K would surely colonize acres if we didn’t beat him back. Needless to say we have no plans to propagate this one.

    Reply

  12. Susan McKenna on

    I LOVE propagation! Making more plants from cuttings makes me feel like I get to take part in God’s creation process. I haven’t tried rose cuttings yet, but thanks to your great tutorial, they’re next! 🌹

    Reply

  13. Nancy Jones on

    So if you successfully root a grafted rose, does it become an ‘own root’ rose? If so, this would mean it could freeze, but possibly grow back as the same variety, correct?
    I have had success by inserting the cuttings at the drip line of the ‘mother’ rose outside and find some growing the following season. No label needed and time saving. The success rate is about 40%.

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      Yes, if you root a cutting from a grafted rose, you now have an own root rose

  14. Roseann on

    I just think you are fantastic Erin. Once again, the detail you provide is exceptional. You hit all the key details and keep it light and fun with a touch of that Erin humor that is so genuine. You’re simply the BEST (which I’m now singing that song…).

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      yes, as long as you have enough stem for each

  16. Randi Pratini on

    Hello again. You place your pots into a tray but didn’t mention if it is a tray that has drain holes. I would love clarification, thank you!

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      yes, the tray does have drainage holes

  18. Beth Shelton on

    Amazing Erin!! Enjoyed your video and being a beginner gardener with roses,. I’m feeling like I could be a confident one now! . Thank you so much. I shall keep you posted on how well I did or didn’t do ha ha. I’m a huge fan and follower of yours and I am looking forward to more tips and tricks with your Floret-flowers videos and news letters Happy gardening!!!

    Reply

  20. AMS on

    I have been eagerly awaiting this tutorial since Growing Floret season 2!!! Thank you for sharing your wisdom once again!

    Reply

  21. sue on

    great video, thank you. can i just check what is the best time of year for cuttings – right now early summer for you guys?

    Reply

    • Team Floret on

      Early summer works well for us.

  22. Miryam Henricks on

    So sweet that you are doing that, my grandfather had a Cecil Brunner in the yard when I was a child. He said that it had been in his family for many generations but never propagated it. I don’t know if it got sick or what happened to it, but now as I age I would have loved to pass cuttings along to my grandchildren. Thank you for caring for history and future. Watching you explain the whole process made it seem more approachable.

    Reply

  23. Carolyn Jordan-White on

    Hi
    Thanks for this great instructional video.
    I would like to also know if this method is good for lots of cuttings. Seems like hydrangeas for sure.

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      Different plants have different requirements and some are easier than others to root. Hydrangeas are an easy one to have success with.

  24. Linda Schaefer on

    I am charged up to start doing this right away! I’ve used the powder method before and it was totally successful! Rose shrubs could be a real challenge but I would love to have more flowering bushes! After just having watched your video about Floret in May, I’m in the beautifying mode! Thank you so much for sharing all your love for gardening!

    Reply

  25. Hema Balaji on

    Thank you for the wonderful tips, I originally didn’t know how to use the hormone powder before, now it makes sense why the plant cutting didn’t grow even after I used the rooting powder before. Love to learn a lot from you Erin! Love all your how-to videos.

    Reply

  26. Katie on

    Just watched the video and I can hardly wait to go and get my rose cuttings! You’re so inspiring and your joy for the subject absolutely shines through in each of your videos! Thank you so so much for all of the information you share for free and all the time and effort you put into this! I so appreciate it!

    Reply

  27. Stephanie on

    So excited to try this! My mom has a rose bush that is over 100 years old and I would love to bring a piece of it to my home.
    My question is how to care for them over the winter if you don’t have a greenhouse. I live in 6b and we get really cold. Where would you suggest a home gardener store them as they grow if you don’t have a place where you can set up the mist system?

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      They only need the mist set up for rooting which should take 5-8 weeks, then they can just grow in a protected spot in their pot. The first winter it is important to keep them somewhere they won’t freeze since their roots are still small. You could probably put them in a garage after they drop their leaves and go dormant, just be sure they get watered. Then plant them out the following later spring and they’ll have enough time to get established before their 2nd winter.

  28. Lydia Bahrke on

    This was fantastic! I’ve tried quite a few times to propagate my roses but have had little success. Many of your pointers explained why I didn’t get good results. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

  29. Hema on

    Thank you Erin for this video. I haven’t watched it yet but I am excited to watch and have success with rose propagation!

    Love
    Hema

    Reply

  30. Carol L deSousa on

    I love how you teach what you have learned to be successful instead of just telling part of how to do something and then are sometimes not as successful. I find that so many other teachers only tell part of the story no matter what they are teaching which just increases frustration rather than pleasure. I appreiciate all you have done for me personally as a flower farmer and what you have done for everyone else including those who just garden for pleasure! You are a true gift Erin & Chris!

    Reply

  31. Sue Fritz on

    Every time I watch one of your videos, I wish I was a young woman again so I’d have many years ahead to experiment and propagate new plants. You are amazing and I love several specific things about each of your videos: you encourage home gardeners to stretch themselves; you share from the heart; you share resources and knowledge freely so that home gardeners and those aspiring to have a future business in flowers can be successful; and you demonstrate that tenacity and love for plants that are needed in this world. I’ve always been a believer in helping others to be the best they can be in their line of work and I find it refreshing, in this competitive world, to see a successful business woman sharing her knowledge with others. We need more people like you. Thank you for brightening my day!

    Reply

  32. Jane on

    Thanks for the tips, Erin! I can’t wait to try some rose cuttings!

    Reply

  33. Staci Holtby on

    Thank you Erin! Your presentations are outstanding!!! I am so inspired!!

    Reply

  34. Christina on

    This is so helpful! Thank you, Erin (and crew)!! My little ones and I watched this together in pieces and were all engrossed. I chuckled at the labeling bit because I absolutely do hover over the plants wondering why they aren’t more mature…only to find I planted them 48 hours ago.

    Reply

  35. Sophia on

    Hi! I love love love your how-to videos. Can cuttings be propagated or seeds started at any time of year, as long as they have an OK environment?

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      I believe so but it seems like from first flower to early autumn are the easiest to get them to root. For some of the old alba and species rose varieties it’s said that hardwood cuttings stuck in the fall and left to winter over in the ground is best but we haven’t tried that yet

  36. Natalie on

    I was just telling my husband that I’d love to have more of my favorite roses around our yard but I had no idea how to do it. Thank you so much for doing a step by step video, you’ve given me the confidence to give it a try!

    Reply

  37. Tracey on

    Thank you so much. A great video with clear easy to follow instructions from start to finish. Your generosity of sharing your vast knowledge and experience is just fab. Love it, can’t wait to try more cuttings using this method, thanks again!

    Reply

  38. Paulette Orchard on

    Loved the info! Thank you Erin!
    I was picking the roses that didn’t have a bloom and it worked but a rose hybridized here mentioned something about pinching out as it developed so it doesn’t become one long stem that seems to have helped
    Having them in the plastic greenhouse over winter helped as well confirming what I knew and didn’t
    So exciting

    Reply

  39. Stephanie B. Looney on

    This was amazing. Question…I don’t have a greenhouse but it is high summer here in Maryland with temps in the 90s. Can I use a dome lid outside or should I do inside where house temps are in the 70s? Also can I do outside on a covered porch or direct sun? Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      That sounds like the perfect temp to get them to root, just keep them out of direct sunlight since the dome lid can become a little oven and cook your cuttings.

  40. Chelsie on

    Thank you so much! I’ve been trying to grow rose cuttings with no luck and you’ve provided such insight. I’m so excited and hopeful now, thank you!

    Reply

  41. Sarah Patterson on

    I live in hot, dry Eastern Washington and I’m a bit worried about having the cuttings overheat under plastic, even outside of the greenhouse. How important is sunlight to this process? Would you recommend I try it in the shade or indoors under lights? Also, thank you for an illuminating video!

    Reply

    • Hello Account on

      Light is important, but it can be indirect. If you tucked your cutting somewhere shady but that still gets decent light it should work. We haven’t tried rooting under lights but that might be a good thing to experiment with.

  42. Anne Stern on

    Now I see all the ways I was “doing it wrong”! I’ll try again (assuming my neighbor is not looking while I take another cutting from her rose!) and I wonder how to overwinter it in Colorado if I don’t have a green house or misting station. Take it indoors or leave it in the unattached, unheated garage (where I overwinter my larger potted roses)? Thank you for the great video!

    Reply

  43. Victoria on

    I love the mister set up, but if you just want to do a dozen or so cuttings….Something I have had success with for keeping the cuttings moist; Get some clear 2 litre plastic pop bottles out of someones recycle and cut off the neck and put it over the pot (which needs to be a gallon pot to fit perfectly) and then each cutting has its own little greenhouse

    Reply

  44. Jeanne on

    Thank you for this informative step by step process! Is there a best time of year to do rose cuttings? Thanks!

    Reply

  45. Jason Hartwick on

    Great video and so much good information for someone who has never propagated roses before. I can wait to try…..Thank you for all the amazing videos and content.

    Reply

  46. Dolly Ryder on

    Thank you for the excellent video. You have made the process clear, by including all the steps and materials needed to be successful. You give the best to all of us. Thanks so much.

    Reply

  47. Megan on

    So amazing! Could this be done in a raised bed with a low tunnel? No greenhouse, but would love to make some rose babies.

    Reply

  48. Leslie on

    Very cool! Thank you. Perfect amount of detail and caution about the importance of wearing gloves. As always, your enthusiasm is inspiring.

    Reply

  49. Mellissa Sevigny on

    I have been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint! I love your pace, and the amount of practical information you provided – it feels so approachable and easy now. Can’t wait to get out there and take a bunch of cuttings now – thank you!!!!

    Reply

  50. Kathy C. on

    Perfect timing, I was just wondering about the exact steps as I want to start some roses in a new part of our property as we have some lovely wild roses beside our house. Thanks for all of your tips, I am loving all that you are doing!

    Reply

  51. Térésa Salé on

    Thank you Erin for sharing your knowledge and passion. It is the mark of a true professional! Bon été!

    Reply

  52. Mandy on

    Thank you for this!! I was able to propagate a favorite rose of mine before I moved once and it was so exciting! Now I want to do more!!

    Reply

  53. Sarah Brooks on

    Informative! Thank you for the video, walking us through, showing step by step, as well as referencing supplies used. Your true excitement makes me want to give it a try!

    Reply

  54. Jenny Fetchko gardenteacherlady :) on

    I literally woke up this morning wondering about rose cuttings and VOILÁ there you were in my inbox with this video!!! I hope all is well with you and all the amazing people at Floret!

    Reply

  55. ROXY ROEHRIG on

    Awesome tutorial! I am happy to see the fine details of what to take for a cutting, & how to get it trimmed & prepped to pot it up. I took a cutting of an old fragrant rose last summer without all this knowledge & even without any rooting hormone & left outside all my Michigan winter, IT TOOK 🤩!!! It’s blooming right now 🥰 & looks so healthy ❤. Can’t wait to try some more this year using your great info! Thank you for such wonderful content!!!

    Reply

  56. Gweneth on

    I love that you took the time to even show how to use the powder just to make sure we can be as successful as possible. Thank you for all this wonderful knowledge.

    Reply

  57. Jennifer Jowett on

    Beautiful, Erin! I love how easy you make it to learn something new.

    Reply

  58. Randi Pratini on

    Always happy to have comments about success (or not)’and thoughts on why or why not the cuttings worked.

    I hold an organic certification in California and unless any of these rooting hormone options are Certified Organic, I am not allowed to use them. Any organic suggestions?

    Thank you 😊

    Reply
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