Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means beautiful roses will soon be filling many homes and offices. But these romantic blossoms don’t have to be just temporary gifts. With the help of a humble kitchen staple, you can transform your Valentine’s roses into living plants that will flower for years to come.
Recently, a video by BlossomTV went viral for teaching gardeners how to get their rose cuttings to take root using a potato. People all over the world are giving this hack a try. It’s not only simple and effective, but it also doesn’t need any special tools, making it just right for beginners.
Potatoes lock in moisture and nutrients, creating the perfect little greenhouse for your rose cuttings to grow strong roots. Plus, their natural sugars give the cuttings a small energy boost while keeping them from drying out.
How to Use a Potato to Grow Roses
Start by choosing a fresh rose stem about 6 to 8 inches long with multiple leaf nodes. Then, grab a medium-sized potato and make a small hole in it using a knife, a drill, or whatever you have handy. Make sure the hole is just slightly smaller than the cutting’s diameter so it fits snugly.
Although it’s not necessary, if you want to give your rose a little extra boost, you can dip the cutting in honey. This acts as an anti-fungal, as well as a rooting hormone.
Insert the base of the rose cutting into the hole, making sure it’s stable and upright, then plant the potato in nutrient-rich soil, leaving the top of it exposed. Cut the flower bud and trim any extra leaves from the stem of the plant so that it can focus its energy on growing roots rather than keeping the flower alive.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy to avoid rot. It may take a few weeks, but once you see roots, carefully remove the rose from the potato and plant it in well-draining soil.
Why This Works
This potato trick creates a safe, hydrated environment for your rose cuttings, reducing the chances of them drying out. It also gives the rose a small nutrient boost. Many gardeners swear by this method to encourage strong root growth, making it easier to grow more roses.
However, it’s important to check the potato occasionally for signs of rot and to make sure your soil drains well. While plenty of people have reported having success with this technique, results may vary depending on climate, soil conditions, and the type of rose you’re trying to grow.
But before you know it, you’ll have more beautiful roses blooming in your garden.
Learn more from the original video.
