What can I use instead of rooting hormone reddit?

Author: Miss Jazmyn King  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

A list of studied organic rooting substances:
  • vermicompost leachate (worm compost tea)
  • coconut water.
  • willow cuttings (Salix spp.)
  • honey.
  • humic acid.
  • seaweed extract.
  • aloe vera extract.
  • other extracts: garlic, moringa, ginger, cinnamon.

What can be used in place of rooting hormones?

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.

Why does cinnamon work as a rooting hormone?

Does Cinnamon Help with Rooting Cuttings? Cinnamon of any kind does not contain rooting hormones and thus cannot cause or stimulate roots to form. It may help prevent fungal infections (which can be beneficial for rooting cuttings), but this is not scientifically proven on plants, as mentioned above.

What helps cuttings root faster naturally?

Surround the cutting with humidity from the outset. This cuts down on evaporation (transpiration) from the leaves, and makes it last longer, giving it more time to succeed in its mission of striking roots.

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.

Rooting Hormone vs. Homemade DIY Alternatives

Is apple cider vinegar a rooting hormone?

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Actually Work? Apple cider vinegar for rooting works as reported by many gardeners, although there is little evidence from horticultural research. Some of the natural compounds in apple cider vinegar may mimic rooting hormones. As a scarification aid, apple cider vinegar definitely works.

Can I put cinnamon directly on plant roots?

Cinnamon as a rooting agent and growth stimulant

Apply a little ground cinnamon to the bottom of the cutting. This should accelerate the repair of the wound and stimulate root formation. In combination, these effects make cinnamon a great alternative to rooting hormones, which are, for various reasons, prohibited.

Can I use honey instead of rooting hormones?

We all know that honey has many health benefits. It is, after all, a natural antiseptic and contains anti-fungal properties -- both of which are believed to be one of the reasons honey as a root hormone seems to work so well. In fact, just 1 tablespoon (15 mL.)

How to root without rooting hormone?

The main success factors to win the “Root Before Rot” race:
  1. Work clean. Disinfect your cutting equipment and use a clean container to root your cuttings in.
  2. Your cutting will need adequate light and temperature. ...
  3. Keep the container small. ...
  4. Make sure the leaves of your cuttings stay dry and above the water. ...
  5. Oxygen.

Can I use sugar as a rooting hormone?

In many cases, sugar application increased the number of new roots formed by week 6 but had no significant effects on the length of existing roots or shoot growth. By week 24, increases in both root and shoot growth were recorded.

Can I use baking soda as a rooting hormone?

Prepare a cup of warm water, add a spoon of sugar and a spoon of baking soda. Then add a spoon of white vinegar. Cover and seal the fermentation for 48 hours. Homemade rooting water is completed with this recipe.

Do you really need rooting hormone?

"Rooting hormone can help yield better results, but it's not necessary." Plants that easily propagate, such as most varieties of succulents, rarely need the jumpstart that a rooting hormone can deliver. However, plants that are more reluctant to root, such as citrus plants, can benefit from it.

How do I make my own 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.

Is apple cider vinegar good for plants?

Use ACV for fertilising your plants

As a result of our ACVs low acidic content, it's great to use as a fertiliser. Using organic, raw and unfiltered ACV, such as Willy's, is great for your plants due to it containing pulp which has the highest amount of nutrients for your plants!

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.

What works as rooting hormone?

Yes, it is possible to make your own natural rooting hormone alternatives using substances like willow water, honey, or aloe vera gel. These natural options may contain natural auxins and can be used as a rooting stimulant.

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.

What happens if you sprinkle cinnamon on plants?

Sprinkling cinnamon into seed starting mix prevents dampening off, as well as controlling fruit fly population and potential fungus.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on plants?

Saturate the soil with 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 3% per 1 litre water. Put wet soil in a watertight container and leave overnight before planting. This kills pathogens such as fungi and bacteria including insect eggs and nematodes (roundworms).

Does cinnamon work as well as 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 helps cuttings root faster?

Success factors for rooting your cuttings

They'll root faster with plenty of sunlight, but avoid setting them in direct sun. Temperature is also important, the warmer the better to speed things up. For cuttings that are more valuable or difficult, adding a little aquarium pump to oxygenate the water will help a lot.

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