Best rooting hormones for faster, healthier plant propagation

Propagation is a cost effective way to grow new plants and is utilized by over 80% of professional commercial plant growers. Whether a home gardener is attempting to root another tomato plant from a favorite variety or a commercial nursery is propagating thousands of plants for decorative use, propagation is an integral component of gardening and the production of plants.

Propagation refers to growing new plants from seeds, cuttings, or other parts of the plant. But that approach can be tricky. There’s nothing more disappointing than taking a healthy cutting, planting it and nurturing it only to watch it wilt or struggle to grow roots. Timing, moisture and plant health all play a role, but one simple factor that can enhance the results is rooting hormones.

Rooting hormones are more common lately. Growcycle sells gardening supplies, including different rooting hormones (powder, gel, liquid) for plant propagation. 

What is Plant Propagation?

Growing new plants from seeds, cuttings, or other sections of the plant is known as propagation. It is widely used by gardeners, farmers and plant nurseries to propagate more plants without having to start from scratch every single time.

There are four main types of propagation methods:

1. Cuttings: A piece of a plant, often a stem or a leaf, is cut and placed in soil to grow a new plant.
2. Layering: A branch of a plant is bent to the ground and covered in soil until it has roots and can be removed from the original plant.
3. Tissue Culture: A piece of plant tissue is raised in a lab (under sterile conditions), and many identical plants are produced. This technique is employed for commercial plant production.

Benefits of Propagation

There are plenty of benefits of propagation:

• Starting new plants from existing ones is often less expensive than purchasing new ones.
• Propagation creates more of the same plant species, which aids to preserve rare or endangered plants.
• Propagating a plant from a cutting means the new plant shares the same genetics with the parent. This process ensures that the desired traits are retained.
• Some propagated plants, especially healthy cuttings, are faster growing than seed grown plants.

Common Challenges in Propagation

Propagation is rewarding, but it does have its set of challenges:

• The cuttings take a long time to root or do not root at all.
• Cuttings are also more susceptible to pests or rot, particularly when the weather is humid.
• Too much or too little light, water or heat can prevent a cutting from growing correctly.
• Without the appropriate care (or tools), not all cuttings will convert.

Rooting Hormones

Rooting hormones are agents that make it easier for plant cuttings to develop roots. These hormones mimic or reinforce the plant’s natural signals that inform it where and when to grow roots. Gardeners and growers use them in order to increase the success of propagating plants, particularly for stem or leaf cuttings.

How They Work

Auxin is the principal natural hormone that modulates root growth. Auxins are plant hormones that regulate growth. They naturally occur at the tips of stems and roots and are important in promoting new roots to grow from cuttings.

When taking a cutting from a plant, it loses access to some of the natural auxins that keep it growing. Applying a rooting hormone either replaces or enhances those signals, informing the plant that it’s time to make new roots. The process is known as root induction.

Rooting hormones are available in two main types of auxins:

• Natural plant hormones are derived from the plant or organic material.
• The synthetic compounds are not natural but work similarly to natural auxins.

Types of Rooting Hormones

There are two main types of rooting hormones:

1. Synthetic Hormones

Synthetic auxins are often used as a commercial rooting hormone because they are stable, easy to use, and have been shown to be effective. There are two most popular synthetic rooting hormones:

• The most common rooting hormone is IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid). It allows a wide variety of plants to send deep, fast-growing roots.
• NAA (Naphthaleneacetic acid) is used with IBA and works well on hard-to-root plants.

Synthetic rooting hormones are most often available in powder, gel, or liquid form. They are well known to nurseries, greenhouses, and home gardeners seeking consistent results.

2. Natural Alternatives

Other gardeners rely on natural rooting hormone alternatives, particularly in organic gardening. These include:

• Willow water is prepared by immersing young willow branches in water. Willow has natural auxins that encourage cuttings to root.
• Aloe vera itself is rich in vitamins and enzymes that promote the growth of the root and protect it from bacteria.
• Honey contains a mild antimicrobial and, in some cases, nutrients that can help cuttings remain healthy and promote slow but timely rooting.

Why Rooting Hormones Matter for Faster & Healthier Propagation

Rooting hormones are essential for ensuring that plant cuttings take root faster and with greater vitality. Without a good root system they may have difficulty drawing up water and nutrients, which can result in poor growth or, (in the worst case), plant death. This is where rooting hormones really step up.

When a plant is cut, it undergoes stress. It has been cut off from the full support system of the original plant. Rooting hormones ease that stress by sending signals that prompt root cells to grow more quickly. This speeds up the whole rooting process and gives the cutting a better chance of survival.

There are several very important benefits derived from using rooting hormones:

• Faster root development: Hormones encourage the plant roots to grow more quickly than if they were just out there on their own.
• Higher success rates: When rooting hormones are used, more cuttings survive and develop into healthy plants.
• Stronger, healthier roots: The roots that do grow are generally thicker and longer and hence better able to absorb water and nutrients.
• Support for difficult plants: Some species of plants are more challenging to propagate. Rooting hormones enhance success rates even for more delicate or more woody cuttings.
• Better transplant performance: Strong roots promote a faster recovery are moving into pots, soil, or garden beds.

How to Use Rooting Hormones

The proper use of rooting hormones can make a huge difference in the growth of plant cuttings.

Preparation Steps Before Application

Before applying rooting hormones, it’s important to get everything ready:

1. Select healthy, disease-free plant materials. Use a clean, sharp blade, and cut just below a leaf node.
2. Remove any flowers or lower leaves. This allows the plant to conserve energy by growing roots.
3. Scissors or knives can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol or boiled water. That keeps infections from vaulting to the cuttings.
4. Use clean pots or trays filled with moist, well-draining soil or a rooting medium such as perlite, vermiculite, or coconut coir. Heat the space (about 70–75°F) and maintain humidity, as this promotes root development.

Application Methods

1. Powder Form

Powder rooting hormones are dry and can be easily stored. Here’s how to use them:

• First, dip the cut end of the plant into water so the powder adheres.
• This is a good time to hold the jar and pour a small amount of powder into a separate container (don’t dip directly into the product jar and risk contaminating things).
• Dab the wet cutting into the powder, ensuring that the bottom portion is fully coated.
• Tap off the excess powder gently.
• Immediately plant the cutting into moist soil or a rooting medium.

Tip: Always wear gloves or wash hands after touching powders.

2. Liquid Form

Liquid rooting hormones are potent and generally must be diluted. Here’s how to use them:

• Mix the recommended amount of hormone with water (see the label instructions).
• For species of plants that require rooting, dip the flat end of the cutting into the liquid for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
• Lift off and allow the excess liquid to drain off prior to opening the end of the cutting on the dirt.

Tip: Save the unused, already-diluted liquid in a cool, dark place if want to save it for later, but not for too long, because it can lose strength.

3. Gel Form

The gel rooting hormones are simple to use and adhere well to the cutting.

• Put the cutting directly down into the gel. Its thick consistency ensures even coverage.
• Ensure that the base is completely covered.
• Do not wait, but take the cutting directly from the rooting medium.

Tip: Gels protect from bacteria and help the cutting to rehydrate and absorb the hormone over days to weeks.

Aftercare for Propagated Plants

After the cutting is planted, proper care is critical for the formation of roots:

• Moisten the soil: It should not be soggy but evenly damp. Dried soil might halt root growth.
• Cover the pot with a plastic dome or a bag to hold in moisture (while allowing for a little airflow) to help maintain humidity.
• Give indirect light: Bright but not direct sunlight is best.
• Keep temperature steady: Ideal temps are 70–75°F (21–24°C).
• Do not disturb cutting too much: Allow the roots a few weeks to grow without disturbance.

Top Rooting Hormones

The right rooting hormone can increase the chance of success and aid cuttings to develop faster and more stronger when propagating plants. Growcycle has several rooting hormone products on offer that provide quality nutrition for gardeners and professional growers. Here’s a look at some of the top options out there:

1. OHP Hormodin #2 Rooting Hormone

OHP Hormodin #2 is a trusted rooting hormone powder with an effective active ingredient IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) at 0.3% that promotes root growth. It’s great for a wide range of plants, particularly ones that are more challenging to propagate.

Best For: Woody and semi-woody plants, including evergreens.

2. PHT Hortus IBA WSS 20% Rooting Hormone

PHT Hortus IBA WSS 20% Rooting Hormone is an extremely efficient water-soluble 20% IBA salts rooting hormone. This is great for big operations as it removes the need to dip each cutting individually. Since it can be mixed with water and applied to the propagation bed, it is efficient and cheap and allows fertilization on a larger scale and for commercial nurseries.

Best For: Large-scale propagation and professional nurseries.

3. Dip-n-Grow Rooting Hormone

Dip-n-Grow is a liquid concentrate that can be diluted to use on almost any plant. This widely used formula is used by both amateur and professional botanists as it is successful across many species of herbs, flowers and even woody plants. Just dilute the concentrate, then dip the cuttings into the solution for quicker, healthier rooting.

Best For: Versatile use on a variety of plants.

4. Fine Advocate Rooting Hormone

Fine Advocate Rooting Hormone is a liquid preparation with IBA based, which encourages root systems on many plants. Lauded for its superior formulation, it can be especially helpful when people want to ensure the plants develop healthy root structures. It’s perfect for both professionals and dedicated hobbyists looking to make the most of propagation success.

Best For: High-quality propagation for diverse plant types.

Best Practices for Enhanced Propagation Results

Rooting hormones can help improve plant propagation, but there are other factors involved in growing a plant that will help improve the results.

Optimizing Environmental Conditions

The right environment is necessary to make rooting hormones effective. Every factor has to be meticulously controlled.

• Light: During propagation of cuttings, give bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can dry the cuttings, while not enough light can slow the rooting process down. A sunny spot that is sheltered from the sun’s harsh rays is best.
• Moisture: Keeping the cuttings moist is essential. But if watering the plant too much, it can get root rot. In fact, it’s better to keep the growing medium evenly moist without being too soggy. Use a misting system or a plastic dome to help keep them humid.
• Temperature: Most cuttings do best rooted at a temperature of around 70-75° meso. This range stimulates root growth while keeping the plant stress-free. If it is too cold, root development will be slow; if it is too warm, the cutting will dry out or be subject to stress.
• Substrate Choices: For rooting, well-draining substrates like perlite, vermiculite, or a mix of both. These mediums hold enough moisture to keep roots healthy while allowing excess water to escape and preventing root rot.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Propagation is an ongoing activity that needs continued monitoring. Keep an eye on the cuttings to stay successful and adjust when necessary.

• Track Root Development: Check cuttings weekly by gently pulling on them. When gardeners sense resistance, this is an indication that roots are developing. Roots should begin to form in 2-3 weeks for most plants but that will differ from plant to plant.
• Adjust Conditions as Needed: If roots are slow to form, check moisture levels and temperature. Sometimes, raising the humidity or adjusting the light will speed things up. If the cutting looks weak or yellow, it could be a sign of stress, so one might need to decrease watering or move the cutting to a cooler spot.
• Time to Transplant: As soon as roots are showing and well developed, it’s time to transfer the cutting to a larger pot or the ground. Be sure to transplant the cutting gently, as the tiny roots are sensitive. Continue to nurture the plant as it develops, keeping it watered and sheltered from extreme environmental conditions.

FAQs

Which hormone is used for early rooting in propagation?

The hormone most frequently employed for early rooting is IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), which is present in many rooting hormone products, including Hormodin #2 and Dip-n-Grow.

Does a rooting hormone make plants grow faster?

It does not directly make the plant grow faster, but it speeds up the root development process, allowing the plant to establish itself more quickly and in turn, grow faster once it is rooted.

Which auxin is best for rooting?

In many respects, IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) is considered the preeminent auxin for stimulating rooting of cuttings, particularly for woody and semi-woody species.

The Bottom Line

Rooting hormones are key to successful propagation. Used for home gardeners as well as large plant nurseries, they help plants develop roots faster and healthier. Rooting hormones enhance the plant’s natural growth signals, making it easier and faster for cuttings to grow roots. Visit Growcycle to discover high-quality rooting hormone products such as powders, gels, and liquids for gardeners to find an option that best suits their needs.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.