Rooting Cut Flower Stems: Can Bouquet Roses Become Plants?

Attempting to Root Florist Roses

A California gardener's bouquet stems developed buds in water after three weeks and wants to plant them.

Reality Check

Florist roses are greenhouse-bred for cut flowers, not garden performance. They're often frail, disease-prone, and bacteria-laden from vase life. Success is unlikely but possible.

If You Try

• Change water every 3 days with a drop of bleach (kills bacteria) and pinch of sugar (energy).
• Remove submerged leaves.
• When roots appear, pot in seedling mix, keep damp not wet.
• Optional: create mini-greenhouse with a bottle until leaves expand.

Better Alternative

Purchase a garden-quality rose of the same color. It will thrive with far less effort.