Using Honey as Rooting Hormone is a great way to help cuttings propagate properly. As it has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties that will save the plant from rot and infection. Let’s have a look at in it detail!

Here are some amazing uses of honey in the garden

Using Honey as Rooting Hormone

According to a study published in the University of Hawaii Extension, a series of experiments were conducted to find out the efficacy of honey as a rooting hormone as compared to commercial rooting hormones available in the market.

It concluded, “Honey did demonstrate an ability to root plant species, but it is not as successful as synthetic rooting hormones.” It means you can use honey as an alternative to market products.

Honey is also cost-effective, easily available, and safer for public use.

3 Ways to Use Honey as Rooting Hormone

  • Dip the end of the cutting in undiluted honey and rotate it to create a thin layer around it. After dipping, plant it in the growing medium.
  • Add two tablespoons of honey to one or two cups of boiled water and let this solution cool. Dip the cutting in it and plant it in the growing medium.
  • Wet cuttings in the water and roll them in cinnamon powder. Afterward, turn the cuttings in honey before planting. The addition of cinnamon will increase the potency of this DIY rooting hormone.

Plant Cuttings that Benefit from Honey

If you are growing common houseplants, succulents, and common outdoor plants like Chrysanthemum, Herbs, Blueberries, Hibiscus, Leadworts, Firethorns, and Roses, from cuttings, then the honey will work wonders as a rooting hormone.

  • Scott T

  • May 17, 2020 At 9:09 pm

  • The research article you mention actually shows honey was more effective in some cases than synthetic. Your article states otherwise, which is misleading and not factual.

  • Reply

  • Steve

  • May 29, 2020 At 1:26 pm

  • Thanks for the clarification. I will try this as lockdown stops me getting rooting powder quickly and easily.

  • Reply

  • Scott T

  • May 17, 2020 At 9:11 pm

  • You misquote the research article. Nowhere in the article does it say that synthetic hormones are more successful than honey.

  • Reply

  • Faraji C

  • August 29, 2020 At 8:28 pm

  • Why you being a jerk tho if it does work even a little bit then to me it is better because it’s more natural cheaper and has anti fungal property for a healthy root stimulation process.

  • Reply

  • Susie

  • June 13, 2021 At 11:30 pm

  • Well said.

  • Reply

  • Art

  • September 19, 2020 At 2:50 pm

  • Thanks so much for this advice👌.

  • I was raised on a farm but never heard of using either honey or cinnamon to help propagation 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • I’ll take your word, folks, and won’t bother with reports and research 😒.

  • I think I’ll just dip them in honey and the shake a little cinnamon on, and see how it goes 🌿.

  • Keep up the good work – it’s appreciated. 😀

  • Many thanks

  • Art

  • Reply

  • Giggles

  • September 30, 2021 At 7:45 pm

  • Curious how it worked out for you 🤔

  • Reply

  • Vyshnavi S

  • October 31, 2020 At 7:23 pm

  • Honey and cinnamon works I’ve propagated Malabar spinach stems using the same technique it’s been 2 weeks now the plant started growing already by the end of 1st week. I just mixed pinch of cinnamon powder in 2tbsp dabur honey and dipped 45 degree cut stems with just 2 top leaves in the DIY hormone and planted 2 inch deep in potting soil.

  • Reply

  • John Raureti Te Whetu

  • December 30, 2020 At 6:05 am

  • Inspirational 😎

  • Reply

  • Paul Newman

  • March 8, 2021 At 1:23 am

  • This works!

  • I had permanent Kale cuttings which are notoriously hard to propagate.

  • I have tried many different methods.

  • Rooting in water, 30% success rate

  • Rooting direct in soil 50% success rate

  • Rooting with “chemical” rooting compound 50% success rate

  • Rooting with honey = cinnamon 72% success rate

  • The best part is I already have organic honey & cinnamon at home.

  • Thank you!!!!!

  • Reply

  • Susan

  • May 9, 2021 At 6:18 pm

  • I see how to start the rooting but do I water the cutting periodically too?

  • Reply

  • M

  • April 5, 2022 At 7:08 am

  • Honey does not contain rooting hormones. Please do not use misleading terms. It may assist in rooting in other ways than direct stimulation of tissues, but this is not through the rooting hormone auxin.

  • Reply

  • Steve

  • May 29, 2020 At 1:26 pm

  • Thanks for the clarification. I will try this as lockdown stops me getting rooting powder quickly and easily.

  • Reply

The research article you mention actually shows honey was more effective in some cases than synthetic. Your article states otherwise, which is misleading and not factual.

Thanks for the clarification. I will try this as lockdown stops me getting rooting powder quickly and easily.

  • Faraji C
  • August 29, 2020 At 8:28 pm
  • Why you being a jerk tho if it does work even a little bit then to me it is better because it’s more natural cheaper and has anti fungal property for a healthy root stimulation process.
  • Reply
  • Susie
  • June 13, 2021 At 11:30 pm
  • Well said.
  • Reply

You misquote the research article. Nowhere in the article does it say that synthetic hormones are more successful than honey.

  • Susie
  • June 13, 2021 At 11:30 pm
  • Well said.
  • Reply

Why you being a jerk tho if it does work even a little bit then to me it is better because it’s more natural cheaper and has anti fungal property for a healthy root stimulation process.

Well said.

  • Giggles
  • September 30, 2021 At 7:45 pm
  • Curious how it worked out for you 🤔
  • Reply

Thanks so much for this advice👌.

I was raised on a farm but never heard of using either honey or cinnamon to help propagation 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’ll take your word, folks, and won’t bother with reports and research 😒.

I think I’ll just dip them in honey and the shake a little cinnamon on, and see how it goes 🌿.

Keep up the good work – it’s appreciated. 😀 Many thanks

Art

Curious how it worked out for you 🤔

Honey and cinnamon works I’ve propagated Malabar spinach stems using the same technique it’s been 2 weeks now the plant started growing already by the end of 1st week. I just mixed pinch of cinnamon powder in 2tbsp dabur honey and dipped 45 degree cut stems with just 2 top leaves in the DIY hormone and planted 2 inch deep in potting soil.

Inspirational 😎

This works! I had permanent Kale cuttings which are notoriously hard to propagate. I have tried many different methods. Rooting in water, 30% success rate Rooting direct in soil 50% success rate Rooting with “chemical” rooting compound 50% success rate Rooting with honey = cinnamon 72% success rate

The best part is I already have organic honey & cinnamon at home.

Thank you!!!!!

I see how to start the rooting but do I water the cutting periodically too?

Honey does not contain rooting hormones. Please do not use misleading terms. It may assist in rooting in other ways than direct stimulation of tissues, but this is not through the rooting hormone auxin.

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