How to Grow Miniature Roses from Cuttings

Last Updated: March 23, 2023 Approved

Miniature roses are small, fine-thorned species of roses, carrying all the characteristics of roses but in miniature. This article will explain how to grow miniature roses from cuttings.

Steps

1
Experiment. Not all forms of miniature roses will take as cuttings, and unfortunately there is no foolproof list of which can be grown in this manner and which cannot. It depends on the soil, the climate, and the rose in question. So be prepared for some successes and some disappointments -- but do keep trying.
2
Choose a healthy stem from the miniature rose from which you wish to propagate. Do this just after the flower has faded, and be sure that the stem has a minimum of three to four leaves.
- It is best to take the cutting from a relatively young or fresh part of the plant.
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3
Remove the dead flower from the top. Do this by cutting just above the leaf closest to the dead flower.
4
Make a bottom cut just below a leaf. Remove any excess dead leaves from the stem, ensure that at least three leaves remain on the stem. Dip the cutting in some honey; this helps protect the cutting from rotting, dying, or going moldy.
- Roses have compound leaves, so make sure that you are not mistaking a single leaflet for a leaf.
5
Plant the cutting in a pre-prepared container already filled with free-draining mix. Gently pat into place and keep well-watered as it strikes. But make sure that the compost is not wet, as over-watering can kill the cutting; keep the cutting in moist compost.
- At least one or, better, two nodes or leaves should be above the ground (for the foliage to continue growing), and at least two nodes with the leaves removed should be below the ground (for the roots to sprout out).

Community Q&A

Question

If I have a mini rose that grows to be about 2 feet tall, is it still considered a mini?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Miniature roses don't usually grow above 1.5 feet, but some plants can be taller. It is the variety and not the height that determine if it's a mini rose.
Question

The cutting I want has not got a flower on it. Will I be able to use this stem?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Yes, it doesn't mean that the stem is not good. If the spring was cold, the plant can produce no flowers this year but will bloom next year.
Question

What time of the year is it best to take cuttings?

Community Answer

It’s best to take cuttings when they are vigorous in growth and matured. Late spring or early summer are the best times, when the matured flowers have just lost their petals and more likely to take hold. See the above article for more information.