Natural Rooting Hormones for Growing Plants From Cutting

You can grow plants in a variety of ways, for example, seeds, roots, and cuttings. Which method is the best depends on a lot of things such as plant species, plant type, growing period etc. However, for trees and shrubs, growing from cuttings can be considered best because plants grow pretty fast. For example, if you want to grow a mango tree from seeds, it might take 10 years before the tree bears fruit, however, if you grow from cuttings, you can harvest from the third year onward. When you grow plants from cuttings, it will take all the characteristics of the mother plant.

If you are a beginner, growing plants from cutting can be very difficult. There are a lot of things that do not let the cuttings to take roots, such as fungus, infections, bugs, etc. Therefore you might end up buying commercial rooting hormones. Commercial rooting hormones are so effective that 99 percent of your cuttings will successfully grow. However, there are issues with commercial rooting hormones, such as they are very expensive, and they are chemicals. If you are an organic gardener, you might not want to use chemicals on your plants.

Interestingly, there are numerous natural solutions to the commercial rooting hormones

Five Natural Rooting Hormones to Grow Your Cuttings

If you are looking for alternatives to commercial rooting hormones because you do not want to spend a lot of money or want to use natural products, here are 7 natural things that you can use as rooting hormones, and they are as effective as commercial rooting hormones.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon stops the fungus from spreading on your plants, therefore, when you dip cuttings in cinnamon powder before planting it will help root development. Cinnamon also spreads infection, which ultimately increases the chances of rooting.

Willow: Solution made from willow trees branches and leaves is a very effective rooting hormone. In order to use willow trees as rooting hormones, you will have to soak branches (cut into small pieces) or leaves (shredded) in water for 1-2 nights and dip your cutting in this water for a couple of hours before you plant. You can also water your cuttings with the solution.

Honey: Honey has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. It is not only good for the human body but also for plants. Anti-bacterial and antifungal properties of honey also work on plants. If you dip your cuttings in honey and then plant, your cuttings will be safe from bacterial and fungal infections. Honey also stimulates root growth. 

Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar has multiple uses in our home garden and one of them is using it as a rooting agent. Dip your cuttings in apple cider vinegar solution (made by mixing one tablespoon apple cider vinegar with one cup of water) for a couple of hours and plant the cutting. You can even dilute the mixture by adding a few more cups of water and water your cutting frequently.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is probably the most effective natural rooting hormone, in fact, it is even effective than commercial rooting hormones. Cut a piece of aloe vera leaf and insert your cutting. Plant your cutting in the soil (along with aloe vera). You can also apply aloe gel to the cutting and plant.

Have you used any of these methods? Please share your experience in the comment box.

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