Can You Grow Flowers from Cut Flowers? A Simple Guide to Regrowing Blooms
Receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers can brighten anyone’s day The burst of color and sweet fragrance reminds us of nature’s beauty But after a week or so, those flowers start to wilt and fade. It can be disappointing to watch a gorgeous bouquet wither away. However, with a few simple techniques, you can give cut flowers a second life by regrowing them into brand new plants!
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about regrowing flowers from a bouquet. You’ll learn which types of cut flowers can form roots, how to prepare cuttings, what growing medium works best, and how to care for your cuttings. With just a bit of effort, you can enjoy your favorite flowers long after the original bouquet is gone.
What Cut Flowers Can Be Regrown?
The first step is selecting flowers that can form new roots. Many common cut flowers and blooming shrubs will root from cuttings, including:
-
Roses – The most popular flower for regrowing. Take cuttings from hybrid tea and floribunda roses.
-
Chrysanthemums – A traditional cut flower that roots quickly.
-
Carnations – An excellent choice for beginners. Look for healthy stems with lots of nodes.
-
Hydrangeas – Choose cuttings with thick stems and plenty of leaves.
-
Azaleas – Pick stems with green flexible growth, not old woody stems.
-
Lilacs – Take cuttings when stems are green and pliable. Old wood cuttings rarely root.
-
Lavender – Favored for its heavenly fragrance. Cuttings root quickly in warm soil.
-
Dahlias – Regrow these summer flowering bulbs from fresh cuttings.
Avoid trying to root bulb flowers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. These rarely form roots from cut stems. Stick to blooms from shrubs and perennials for the best results.
How to Prepare Cut Flower Cuttings
Once you’ve selected flowers that can regrow, the next step is preparing the cuttings. Here’s how:
-
Use a clean, sharp knife or pruners to cut a stem 3-6 inches long. Select stems with healthy leaves.
-
Remove any flowers, buds, or excessive foliage from the stem. Leave a few leaves at the top.
-
Trim off the bottom 1/2 inch of the stem at an angle to expose fresh growth.
-
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
-
Allow cut ends to dry for an hour before planting to prevent disease.
Rooting Cuttings in Potting Mix
The traditional way to root cuttings is directly in potting soil. This is an easy technique for beginners. Use a loose, well-draining potting mix and follow these steps:
-
Fill a small 3-4 inch pot with moist potting soil.
-
Use a pencil to make a hole in the soil. Make it deep enough to fit half the cutting’s stem.
-
Place the cutting in the hole and lightly firm the soil. Leave 2-3 leaves exposed.
-
Water gently to avoid dislodging the cutting. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.
-
Cover the pot with a plastic bag or cloche to increase humidity around the cutting.
-
Keep the pot in bright indirect light and approximately 65-75°F.
-
Check cuttings daily and watch for new growth. Rooting can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.
-
To test for rooting, gently tug on the cutting. Resistance means roots have formed.
-
Transition rooted cuttings to a light fertilizer solution to encourage new growth.
Rooting Cuttings in Water
An alternative method for regrowing flowers is rooting the cuttings directly in water. All you need is a clear glass jar or vase. Change the water every 4-5 days to prevent rotting. Transition cuttings to soil once multiple roots over 1 inch long have formed. The water method causes weaker root growth but allows you to visibly monitor progress.
Caring for Rooted Cuttings
Once your cuttings have developed a vigorous root system, it’s time to transition them to the garden! Care for newly rooted cuttings as follows:
-
Pot up cuttings in 4-6 inch pots using regular potting mix. Choose a pot with drainage holes.
-
Move pots to a shady location for 7-10 days to allow plants to adjust before exposing them to full sun.
-
Water cuttings regularly, allowing the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Cuttings have fragile new roots.
-
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
-
Transplant to the garden after 4-6 weeks when roots are fully established. Select a site with appropriate sun exposure.
-
Water transplants deeply for the first few weeks until they become established. Apply mulch around new plantings.
Enjoy Endless Flowers
Regrowing cut flowers is an easy and rewarding way to multiply your favorite varieties for free. In no time at all, you can have beautiful blooms from plants you nurtured from cuttings. With the simple process outlined here, you’ll have success propagating hydrangeas, roses, lavender, and many other flowering cut flowers. It’s a great way to fill your garden with free plants grown from bouquets you’ve received. The next time you get a fresh bouquet, don’t throw it away when it fades – regrow it instead!
Propagate Roses from a Bouquet
FAQ
How to grow flowers from cut flowers?
- Choose healthy stems: Select firm and healthy stems from your cut flowers.
- Cut the stems: Make a clean cut below a node (where leaves are attached) at a 45-degree angle.
- Prepare the cuttings: Remove any lower leaves that will be submerged in water or soil.
- Rooting in water: Place the cuttings in a glass or container of water, ensuring the bottom part of the stem is submerged. Change the water regularly.
- Rooting in soil: You can also try rooting the cuttings in a moist potting mix. Make sure the soil is well-draining.
- Provide proper conditions: Place the cuttings in a warm, bright location, but not in direct sunlight.
- Be patient: It can take several weeks for roots to develop.
- Transplant when rooted: Once roots have formed, you can transplant the cuttings into individual pots or your garden.
Can I replant vase flowers?
You can replant stems in different ways. Since the stems from your bouquet have already been cut off the plant in a certain way by the grower, the easiest way is to put the stems in a separate vase. Use a transparent vase so that you can easily check the water and keep an eye on whether the stem is already taking root.
Can cut flowers grow roots in water?
So, hard as it is, remove any flowers or buds from the cuttings. After cutting back to a node and stripping off the lower leaves and flowers, the cutting is now ready for rooting in water. Several cuttings may be placed together in one container. Be sure to add fresh water as needed until the cuttings are fully rooted.