Growing Roses from Semi-Ripe and Hardwood Cuttings
A rose grown from a rooted cutting 12 months earlier by a GardenAdvice MyGardenTeam member
Roses are a timeless garden favourite, and growing them from cuttings is a rewarding way to expand your collection. You can propagate roses through semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, both of which offer great success rates with a bit of care and patience.
What You’ll Need:
- Sharp, clean pruners
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Pots or seed trays
- Free-draining potting compost we normally use John Innes number 1 compost with 25 percent grit or sharp sand.
- Clear plastic bag or propagator lid
- Watering can
Semi-Ripe Cuttings
Semi-ripe cuttings are taken in late summer or early autumn when the stems are partially matured but still pliable.
- Selecting the Cutting: Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots that are about 15-20 cm long. Cut just below a node (where the leaves meet the stem), ensuring each cutting has at least three sets of leaves.
- Preparation: Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top set intact. If using a rooting hormone, dip the base of the cutting into it.
- Planting: Insert the cuttings into a pot filled with a free-draining mix. Water lightly and cover with a plastic bag or propagator lid to maintain humidity.
- Care: Keep the cuttings in a sheltered spot with indirect light, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Rooting should occur within 6-8 weeks.
Hardwood Cuttings
Hardwood cuttings are best taken in late autumn or winter, after the plant has gone dormant.
- Selecting the Cutting: Choose mature, healthy stems that have grown during the current season. Cut sections around 20-30 cm long, each with at least four buds.
- Preparation: Strip the lower leaves and buds, leaving only the top two buds. Again, dip the cuttings in rooting hormone if desired.
- Planting: Insert the cuttings about halfway into the soil or directly into the ground in a sheltered area of the garden. Make sure the lower buds are buried.
- Care: Water well and leave the cuttings over the winter. By spring, the cuttings should have developed roots and can be transplanted to their final position.
Growing roses from cuttings is a simple way to multiply your favourite varieties. Whether you opt for semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in winter, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your roses bloom year after year. With a little patience and care, you’ll have new plants to enhance your garden’s beauty.