What is a good homemade rooting hormone?

Author: Prof. Cleta Ferry  |  Last update: Sunday, June 1, 2025

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.

How do I make my own rooting hormone?

To make a honey rooting hormone: 1.) boil 2 cups of water 2.) add 1 Tablespoon of honey 3.) let the mixture cool and place it in a covered container. Store your honey rooting hormone away from the light. It will last about 2 weeks. To use: dip cuttings in the solution before potting.

What can be used instead of rooting hormones?

If you're venturing into the realm of propagation, finding the right rooting hormone can be the key to success. But did you know that your kitchen cupboard might hold a magical ally? Cinnamon powder, a common household spice, doubles as an effective substitute for root hormone.

What is the best natural rooting hormone?

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 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.

The TRUTH About DIY Rooting Hormones - Testing 6 Homemade Rooting Agents

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.

Can I use cinnamon instead of 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.

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.

Is banana a good rooting hormone?

The high quantities of potassium in banana peels can help plants sustain growth, increase root structure, improve drought tolerance, increase pest resistance and aid photosynthesis.

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.)

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.

Can sugar be used as a rooting hormone?

Results of this investigation show that application of the sugars sucrose, fructose, and glucose as a root drench improved root growth of young, newly transplanted birch following severe root pruning.

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 fertilizer promotes 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.

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.

What is the mixture for rooting cuttings?

The most common rooting mediums used are coarse sand, vermiculite, a blend of equal parts peat moss and vermiculite, or a blend of equal parts peat moss and perlite. The planting medium should be moistened before inserting cuttings and should be kept moist throughout the rooting and shoot formation process.

How to make a rooting hormone at home?

All you need to make a rooting powder with apple cider vinegar is the vinegar itself and water. You only need to add one teaspoon to each 1.2 to 1.4 litres of water. This should give the plants a slight boost to help them root successfully.

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.

What is the banana trick for plants?

Immerse the peels in water. Steep the peels for two to three days. After soaking, strain the liquid into a large container or jar. Add the strained liquid to your plants, pouring it around the outer base of the plant to reach the roots.

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. Pour a spoonful onto a paper towel and roll damp stem ends in the cinnamon.

What does honey do 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.

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.

Does sprinkling cinnamon on plants keep bugs away?

For starters, they do not like the scent of cinnamon. But they will also perish if they ingest it as well. Using cinnamon oil to spray on the plants will also deter thrips. In addition, the oil or powder can also help to deter aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies in the same manner!

Is honey a rooting hormone?

Honey is a much-vaunted rooting stimulant when applied to stem cuttings. Honey is relatively cheap and readily available. Cutting and dipping using honey into inert propagation media (mixes of perlite, vermiculite, coco peat) or non-inert potting mixes or soil is supposed to stimulate better and faster rooting.

What is a natural rooting solution?

Stinging nettle and comfrey tea are effective alternatives if you don't have access to a willow. Another method for making your own rooting hormone is to mix 3 teaspoons (15 ml.) of apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon (4 L.) of water. Dip your cuttings in this solution just before planting.

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