Is honey as good as rooting hormones?

Author: Natasha Breitenberg  |  Last update: Monday, November 10, 2025

Recent studies have shown that while honey was not as successful as synthetic plant rooting hormone, with many plants it significantly increased the percentage of cuttings that produced roots, and the amount of root development.

Can I use honey instead of root hormone?

Honey is a great substitute with rooting hormone gel or powder. Honey lasts for hundreds o years and you barley need any for each cutting. In this video I demonstrate the method of using honey for rooting cuttings. Why should you sue honey? Well what it does is create a protective barrier around the cutting to reduce t.

What is the best alternative for rooting hormones?

Cinnamon works great as a rooting agent and works just as well as your typical hormone rooting powder. With the help of a little cinnamon powder, you can give your plants a quick start!

What helps cuttings root faster?

1) Light - The more light you can provide, the faster a cutting will photosynthesize and the faster it will produce roots. We know that light intensity drops significantly with distance, so keep cuttings in front of windows. Bright light is over 3000 lux but the more you provide the faster they will root.⠀ ⠀ Or buy gr.

Is honey good for your roots?

Honey for Natural Hair Care

It also gives the roots and strands of the hair a boost of vital amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Due to its regenerative properties, it's great for the scalp, too.

Does Honey Help Rooting? Natural rooting hormones

Is raw honey good for plants?

Root Growth: Honey's natural sugars provide an energy boost to your plants, promoting robust root growth and enhancing their ability to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. Natural Pest Control: Honey can act as a deterrent to certain garden pests.

How do you strengthen your roots?

Key nutrients such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids promote healthy hair growth by supporting the hair's structure and strengthening the roots. Foods like spinach, nuts, seeds, and eggs are excellent sources of these essential nutrients.

What speeds up root growth?

For plant roots to grow faster, it requires nutrients, sufficient water, well-aerated soil, enough light, the right range of temperature and proper amendments. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three essential nutrients that a plant requires for its growth.

What is a natural rooting agent for cuttings?

Honey & Cinnamon Rooting Hormone

Dip the end of a cutting into honey water made with 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of honey. Then dip the same cutting into cinnamon powder. I have a gardener friend who swears by this treatment for challenging cuttings that often succumb to fungal problems.

What can I put in water to stimulate root growth?

Add a Pothos! I'd heard of using willow as a natural rooting hormone (no idea where to source that however), but didn't know Pothos has this 'super power' too! Just pop a Pothos cutting in with the water with your slow-to-grow cuttings and it helps speed up root development.

What is a good homemade rooting hormone?

Aloe Vera Rooting Hormone

Just extract the fresh gel from a mature plant's leaves and mix it with a bit of water in a blender. Soak the cuttings in the mixture and add them to the growing medium. Spray the growing medium and plants with the remaining mix of aloe vera gel and water.

Is Epsom salt a rooting hormone?

Epsom salt promotes deep root growth for plants so during times of drought or little rainfall, Epsom salt plants will have deep roots to seek out moisture and nutrients. Plants with deep roots thrive when other plants with shallow roots shrivel up and die if water is not constantly provide to them.

Does cinnamon work as a rooting hormone?

Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as willow water or hormone rooting powder. A single application to the stem when you plant the cutting will stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety. Give your cuttings a quick start with the help of cinnamon powder.

What can be used instead of rooting hormones?

By utilizing everyday materials like cinnamon powder, Aloe Vera, honey, willow water, and apple cider vinegar, gardeners can foster robust root development while avoiding synthetic chemicals.

Does honey help propagation in water?

Did you know that honey can be used to propagate plants? This is because it contains enzymes that promote root growth. Here's how to use it! fill your glass container with filtered water and place the cutting in.

Is honey good for hormones?

The antioxidant capacity of flavonoids and phenolic acids in honey, such as kaempferol and quercetin, can attenuate the detrimental effects of strenuous exercise and restore hormonal levels [24].

What helps cuttings root faster naturally?

Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix. Sand or perlite can also be used, especially for cuttings that need good drainage and may rot if kept too wet.

Is vinegar a rooting hormone?

Using apple cider vinegar as a rooting hormone is a safe and natural way to weaken the outer coating of seeds, making for faster germination.

Can you grow cuttings without rooting hormone?

There are many plants that will root easily in water, without additional rooting hormone. If you don't have any commercially available (synthetic) rooting hormone, simply try rooting your cuttings without it.

What will stimulate root growth?

The two main nutrients that support excellent root growth in plants are phosphorous and potassium. These two ingredients are extremely helpful in any fertiliser mix that needs to encourage a thick, healthy collection of brand-new roots, or to strengthen and stimulate existing systems.

Why won't my cuttings root?

For your cuttings to develop roots, they need oxygen and clean water. Over time, oxygen in the water will dissipate and the stagnant water can attract bacteria that impact the health of your cuttings. It's best to top-up or change the water every few days.

What is the best rooting hormone for air layering?

Rooting hormones are sometimes applied to stems being layered to promote root formation. The two synthetic auxins most frequently used are IBA (indolebutyric acid) and NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid).

How can I make my roots grow stronger?

Improving soil fertility and drainage can help to ensure that plants have the nutrients and moisture they need to grow strong roots. There are a number of ways to improve your soil, but some simple tips include: adding organic matter, improving soil aeration, and removing excess water-logging.

How do I boost my roots?

If you want to improve the health of your hair roots, it is advised to do scalp massages and use condition masks. Consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins B, C, and D. These hair care practices promote healthy roots and scalp.

What makes your roots stronger?

Since hair is mostly made of a protein called keratin, getting enough protein in your diet is key to keeping it strong and healthy. Eating too much sugar and unhealthy fats while not getting enough protein and other essential nutrients can weaken your hair roots, leaving them dull, dry, and brittle.

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