How-to Guide
How to Propagate Roses From Cuttings
The short answer
The most practical method for home gardeners is semi-hardwood cuttings, taken from firm, mature new growth in mid-to-late summer (roughly July and August). Cut a 4-to-6-inch piece, snip just below a leaf node, strip the lower leaves, optionally dip the base in rooting hormone, and set it in a moist, well-draining medium under a plastic cover in bright, indirect light.
Be realistic: rose cuttings don't all take, which is exactly why extension guidance leans on rooting hormone to raise the percentage that root. Take several cuttings to improve your odds, keep them humid and out of direct sun, and expect roots in a matter of weeks. If most fail the first time, that's normal, not a mistake.
Best method and timing
Iowa State Extension calls cuttings the most effective way for home gardeners to propagate roses, and semi-hardwood cuttings the easiest method. Take them from mature new growth in mid-to-late summer (July and August), when the season's growth has firmed up but isn't yet fully hard. Hardwood cuttings taken in late winter during dormancy are another option.
Choose healthy, pest-free stems, ideally the thickness of a pencil, and take cuttings in the morning when the plant is well hydrated. A stem that bends but doesn't snap easily is about right for semi-hardwood.
Taking and setting the cutting
Make each cutting roughly 4 to 6 inches long, cutting just below a node (where leaves attach), since that's where roots form most readily, and remove the leaves from the lower half so none sits in the medium. Reduce large upper leaves by half to limit water loss.
Rooting hormone is optional but recommended for roses. Iowa State notes root-promoting substances increase the percentage of cuttings that root, shorten the rooting period, and increase roots per cutting; dip only the base. Insert into a medium that holds moisture yet drains well, such as coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite, and firm it in.
Humidity, patience, and honest odds
Cover the container with a clear plastic bag to keep humidity high, and set it in bright light but out of direct sun, which would cook the cutting. Keep the medium evenly moist. After several weeks, a gentle tug that meets resistance means roots have formed; then pot up and gradually acclimate the young plant to normal humidity.
Set expectations honestly. Not every cutting roots, so take more than you need and don't be discouraged by failures. Note too that many named roses are patented, and propagating a patented variety for anything beyond personal use isn't permitted. For general cutting technique, see our guide on how to take cuttings; if results are consistently poor, your local Extension office can advise.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Iowa State University Extension - How to Propagate Roses — States that cuttings are the most effective way for home gardeners to propagate roses, that semi-hardwood cuttings are the easiest method and are taken from mature new growth in mid-to-late summer (July and August), and that hardwood cuttings can be taken in late winter during the dormant season.
- Iowa State University Extension - Propagating Shrubs and Trees from Softwood Cuttings — Describes general cutting technique: cuttings about 4 to 6 inches long with a fresh cut just below a node and lower leaves removed; rooting hormone (root-promoting substances) increases the percentage that root, shortens rooting time, and increases root number; use a medium of coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite; cover with a clear plastic bag; and keep in bright light but not direct sunlight.