Did you know you can grow a beautiful rose bush using just a cutting and a potato? It might sound odd, but this natural technique is gaining popularity among DIY gardeners for its simplicity and effectiveness. Learn how to grow a rose from a cutting using a potato step by step, and increase your chances of success with our proven tips.
Tip: Always sanitize your tools to avoid introducing bacteria to the cutting.
Take a semi-hardwood stem from a healthy rose plant. Remove all lower leaves, keeping only the top two. Make a 45° cut just below a node.
Using a knife or screwdriver, make a hole in the center of the potato that can snugly hold the stem. The cutting should sit about 2–3 inches deep inside.
Why a potato? It provides moisture and a stable environment to help the cutting develop roots faster.
Place the potato in a pot filled with moist potting mix. The cutting should stick out from the top, while the potato stays buried. Water lightly and avoid soaking.
Roots typically begin to form in 3–6 weeks. During this time:
Example: Anna from Ohio tried this hack in early spring and had two out of four cuttings root successfully by summer.
Don’t rely on just one cutting. Prepare several to improve your chances.
Add perlite or sand to your potting soil to prevent waterlogging.
Cover your pot with a clear plastic bottle or bag to retain humidity, but open occasionally for airflow.
It’s not necessary but can improve success, especially for beginners.
Spring and early summer are ideal when rose plants are actively growing.
Most traditional rose bushes respond well. Hybrid or grafted roses may be less reliable.
Remove it gently and replant the rooted cutting in fresh soil.
Growing a rose from a cutting using a potato is a fun, natural, and low-cost experiment you can try at home. While it’s not foolproof, it’s surprisingly effective when done right. So grab a rose stem and a potato—your garden might just thank you with a beautiful bloom!
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