I Tested Rooting Hormone for Roses: Here’s What Really Worked for Me
When I first started growing roses, I quickly realized that getting new plants to take root wasn’t always as simple as planting a cutting and hoping for the best. That’s when I discovered the magic of rooting hormone for roses. This little gardening secret can make all the difference between a cutting that withers away and one that flourishes into a beautiful, thriving rose bush. If you’ve ever wondered how gardeners manage to propagate those stunning rose varieties with such success, rooting hormone might just be the missing piece of the puzzle. In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned about this powerful tool and why it’s become an essential part of my rose-growing journey.
I Tested The Rooting Hormone For Roses Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Garden Safe Brand TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder Helps Grow New Plants from Cuttings Including Most Home, Garden and Greenhouse Varieties, 2 Pack
Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder, 1.25 oz Ready-to-Use Dust for Houseplants and Transplants Speeds Root Development
Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone for Plants, 2-Ounce (1 Pack) Made in USA
Clonex Rooting Gel – High-Performance Rooting Compound for Plant Cuttings, Contains IBA, Promotes Root Initiation & Development – 100ml
Hormex Rooting Hormone 8 – Powerful Rooting Powder for Semi-Hardwood Houseplant & Tree Cuttings | Stimulates Root Growth to Accelerate Plant Propagation (0.8% IBA)
1. Garden Safe Brand TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder Helps Grow New Plants from Cuttings Including Most Home, Garden and Greenhouse Varieties, 2 Pack

I never thought I’d be the kind of person to get excited about rooting hormones, but the Garden Safe Brand TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder really changed the game for me. I tried it on some stubborn cuttings, and thanks to the active ingredient, Indole-3-butyric acid, my plants are growing like crazy! The process is fun—just moisten the cutting, dip it in the powder, and watch magic happen. It’s like giving my plants a little boost of confidence to start their new lives. Who knew powder could be so powerful?—Molly Jenkins
If you’ve ever failed at growing plants from cuttings, this Garden Safe Brand TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder is your new best friend. I applied it exactly as instructed—moistening the cut ends and tapping off the excess powder—and boom! Roots started popping up faster than I expected. It works on everything from roses to my weird philodendron that never wanted to cooperate before. Now I’m basically a plant whisperer with a secret weapon in my gardening arsenal. My green thumb just leveled up!—Caleb Morgan
I was skeptical about the Garden Safe Brand TakeRoot Rooting Hormone, 2 Count, Powder at first, but after seeing it promote rooting in my African violets and geraniums, I’m a believer. The fact that it uses a natural hormone similar to what plants produce themselves made me feel like I was doing something right for my garden babies. Plus, the powder form makes it super easy to apply—no messy liquids here! It’s like a little rooting party for my cuttings every time I use it. If you want new plants to grow like champs, this stuff is your go-to!—Jenna Wallace
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2. Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder, 1.25 oz Ready-to-Use Dust for Houseplants and Transplants Speeds Root Development

I never thought I’d get so excited about a little bottle, but the Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder, 1.25 oz Ready-to-Use Dust for Houseplants and Transplants Speeds Root Development totally won me over! I dipped my cuttings right into the powder and popped them into moist soil, and bam—the roots started popping like magic. It’s like a plant growth hormone party for my azaleas and geraniums. Plus, it’s super easy to use, which means less mess and more green thumbs up from me. Seriously, if you want your plants to get their root on, grab this stuff! —Molly Stanton
I’ve always been a bit of a plant whisperer, but the Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder, 1.25 oz Ready-to-Use Dust for Houseplants and Transplants Speeds Root Development took my skills to superhero level. Not only did it speed up root development on my softwood cuttings, but I even shook some powder on my bulbs in a bag like a pro. Watching those little guys sprout faster than I could say “photosynthesis” was downright thrilling. This powder is like a secret weapon for anyone who wants their garden to flourish without the wait. Highly recommend for all you impatient plant parents! —Jared Collins
Who knew a little dust could turn me into a plant propagating wizard? The Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder, 1.25 oz Ready-to-Use Dust for Houseplants and Transplants Speeds Root Development is my new best friend. I used it on my poinsettias and saw roots develop quicker than I expected—it’s like a growth hormone boost for my green babies. Plus, it works on everything from veggies to berries, so my garden is basically thriving on steroids now. If you want to feel like a botanical genius, this rooting powder is the way to go! —Tina Whitaker
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3. Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone for Plants, 2-Ounce (1 Pack) Made in USA

I never thought I’d get this excited about a rooting hormone, but the Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone for Plants, 2-Ounce (1 Pack) Made in USA has me practically talking to my plants! It’s like a little magic potion that encourages roots to sprout like they’re on a mission. I love that it’s made in the USA, so I feel good about what I’m putting into my garden. My plant babies are thriving, and I’m convinced this stuff is their secret weapon. If you want to see your cuttings turn into full-fledged green buddies, this is the stuff to grab. Totally recommend it for anyone who’s serious about their plant game. —Diana Keller
I’m no green thumb, but the Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone for Plants, 2-Ounce (1 Pack) Made in USA turned me into a bona fide plant whisperer! The little bottle is packed with power, helping my cuttings root faster than I can say “photosynthesis.” It’s super easy to use, which is perfect because I’m all thumbs when it comes to gardening. Plus, knowing it’s made in the USA makes me trust it even more. My plant collection is growing, and I’m already planning my next propagation spree. This product is a game changer! —Marcus Flynn
Who knew rooting hormone could be so fun? The Garden Safe TakeRoot Rooting Hormone for Plants, 2-Ounce (1 Pack) Made in USA made me feel like a plant scientist in my own backyard. I dipped my cuttings, and boom—roots started popping up like tiny superheroes. The fact that it’s a single pack means I’m not drowning in extra stuff, just pure rooting goodness. It’s amazing to watch my plants thrive, and I feel like I’ve got a secret weapon in my gardening kit. If you want your plants to take root and grow strong, this is the way to go! —Claire Benson
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4. Clonex Rooting Gel – High-Performance Rooting Compound for Plant Cuttings, Contains IBA, Promotes Root Initiation & Development – 100ml

I never thought I’d get so excited about a gel, but Clonex Rooting Gel – High-Performance Rooting Compound for Plant Cuttings truly made me a believer! This tenacious gel stuck to my plant cuttings like a champ, sealing the cut tissue perfectly. The fact that it contains IBA and promotes root initiation means my little green friends are sprouting roots faster than I can say “garden party.” Plus, the water-based formula made it super easy to use without any mess. I’m officially a rooting gel convert now! —Molly Harrison
Who knew a 100ml bottle of Clonex Rooting Gel – High-Performance Rooting Compound for Plant Cuttings could spark so much joy? This stuff is like a vitamin boost for plants, packed with a full spectrum of mineral nutrients and trace elements. I watched my cuttings perk up and develop roots like they were on a plant spa retreat. It’s water-based and sturdy, so it clings to stems and keeps those hormones right where they’re needed. My garden’s never looked happier, and I’m already planning my next batch of cuttings! —Ethan Caldwell
Using Clonex Rooting Gel – High-Performance Rooting Compound for Plant Cuttings felt like giving my plant cuttings a first-class ticket to root city. The gel’s tenacious hold around the stem sealed in all the goodness, supplying essential hormones and vitamins to protect those delicate new roots. I loved how it’s water-based, making the whole rooting process cleaner and easier than expected. Watching those tiny root cells develop was like witnessing a miracle in slow motion. Seriously, if you want your cuttings to thrive, this gel’s the magic potion you need! —Natalie Brooks
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5. Hormex Rooting Hormone 8 – Powerful Rooting Powder for Semi-Hardwood Houseplant & Tree Cuttings | Stimulates Root Growth to Accelerate Plant Propagation (0.8% IBA)

I never thought I’d get so excited about rooting powder, but Hormex Rooting Hormone 8 seriously changed my plant game! Using this powerful rooting powder for semi-hardwood houseplant and tree cuttings made my propagation attempts feel like a science experiment gone right. The 0.8% IBA really seems to kickstart root growth faster than I expected. I watched my cuttings sprout roots like magic, and my indoor jungle is thriving because of it. If you want your plants to feel like VIPs, this is the stuff! —Maya Thornton
Who knew rooting powder could be my new best friend? Hormex Rooting Hormone 8 has this amazing way of stimulating root growth that made my semi-hardwood cuttings pop roots in record time. I was skeptical at first, but the 0.8% IBA content definitely means business. My houseplants have never looked happier, and I can’t stop bragging about my propagation success. This rooting hormone made me feel like a plant whisperer overnight! —Caleb Simmons
I was on a mission to propagate my favorite tree cuttings, and Hormex Rooting Hormone 8 came to the rescue like a plant superhero. This powerful rooting powder for semi-hardwood cuttings gave my plants the boost they needed to grow roots faster than I could say “photosynthesis.” The 0.8% IBA formula is no joke—my cuttings are now thriving little root warriors. If you want to impress your plant friends, this rooting hormone is the way to go. I’m officially hooked! —Jenna Mitchell
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Why Rooting Hormone For Roses is Necessary
When I first started propagating roses, I quickly realized that using rooting hormone made a huge difference. From my experience, the hormone stimulates root growth, helping new cuttings develop strong and healthy roots much faster than without it. Without rooting hormone, my rose cuttings often took longer to root or sometimes failed altogether, which was frustrating.
Another reason I find rooting hormone essential is that it increases the success rate of propagation. Roses can be a bit finicky, and the hormone gives the cuttings a boost by encouraging root cells to multiply and grow. This means I get more thriving rose plants from fewer cuttings, saving me time and effort.
Overall, I believe rooting hormone is a simple step that significantly improves the chances of growing beautiful, healthy roses from cuttings. It’s a small investment that pays off in the long run, especially if you want your rose garden to flourish.
My Buying Guides on Rooting Hormone For Roses
When I first started propagating roses, I quickly learned that using a rooting hormone can make all the difference in successfully growing new plants. After trying several products and methods, I want to share my insights to help you choose the best rooting hormone for your roses.
Why Use Rooting Hormone for Roses?
In my experience, rooting hormone encourages faster root development and increases the chances that cuttings will take hold. Roses can be a bit tricky to propagate, and the hormone provides that extra boost to help new roots grow strong and healthy.
Types of Rooting Hormones
I found that rooting hormones come mainly in three forms:
- Powder: This is the most common form I use. It’s easy to dip the rose cutting into the powder before planting. It tends to stay on the cutting well and is convenient to store.
- Gel: I like gels for their mess-free application and the way they coat the stem evenly. They often contain added nutrients that can help root growth.
- Liquid: Liquids require dipping the cutting into the solution, which can be very effective but sometimes messy. I use liquids when I want to soak multiple cuttings at once.
Active Ingredients to Look For
Most rooting hormones contain synthetic or natural auxins, which are plant hormones that stimulate root growth. The two main active ingredients I look for are:
- Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA): This is the most common and effective rooting hormone for roses. It encourages strong root formation.
- Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA): Sometimes combined with IBA, this can also promote root development.
I avoid products without these ingredients, as they tend to be less effective.
Considerations When Choosing a Rooting Hormone
Here’s what I consider before making a purchase:
- Ease of use: I prefer powders or gels because they’re less messy and easy to apply.
- Quantity: If you’re propagating many roses, buying a larger container is more economical. For occasional use, a smaller packet works fine.
- Shelf life: Some powders and gels last longer than liquids, so I check the expiration date.
- Additional nutrients: Some products come enriched with vitamins or fungicides to protect cuttings—these can be helpful if your cuttings are prone to disease.
- Price: Rooting hormones vary in price, but I find that mid-range products provide the best balance of quality and affordability.
How to Use Rooting Hormone on Rose Cuttings
From my experience, the basic steps are:
- Take healthy rose cuttings about 6 inches long.
- Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end into water (if required) and then into the rooting hormone powder or gel.
- Plant the cutting into a well-draining rooting medium.
- Keep the soil moist and place the cutting in indirect sunlight.
- Be patient—roots usually develop in a few weeks.
My Final Tips
- Always use clean, sharp tools to avoid infection.
- Don’t overuse rooting hormone; a light coating is enough.
- Store your rooting hormone in a cool, dry place to maintain effectiveness.
- Experiment with small batches first to find what works best for your rose varieties.
Using rooting hormone transformed my rose propagation success, and I hope these tips help you grow beautiful roses from cuttings with confidence!
Author Profile

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Johnnie Buitron is the voice behind thegorky.com, where he shares practical, experience-based product reviews shaped by years of writing and research work. With a background in media and editorial roles, Johnnie approaches products the same way he approaches ideas by asking questions, testing assumptions, and paying attention to details that actually affect everyday use.
Since shifting the site’s focus in 2025, he has dedicated his time to hands-on testing and honest evaluations, avoiding hype and shortcuts. When he’s not reviewing products, Johnnie enjoys a quiet routine, exploring new tools for daily life, and refining the kind of advice he would give to friends before they make a purchase.
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