Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Is Honey a Good Rooting Hormone for Plants?

Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Natural gardening solutions don’t always work. Using honey as a rooting hormone, for example, won't work. Honey contains no plant hormones and does not have the right nutrients for plants, new or established. What it can do well is keep bacteria and other microorganisms from getting into the cut stem of the plant and causing infection.

Hormone

Plants produce hormones to regulate growth. Rooting hormones can be purchased in powder form at garden centers to stimulate growth faster. When you are taking cuttings for new plants, dipping the cut end into a rooting hormone before planting can encourage the cutting to grow new roots quickly.

  • Natural gardening solutions don’t always work.
  • Honey contains no plant hormones and does not have the right nutrients for plants, new or established.

Compound

Rooting compounds contain nutrients plants need, as well as rooting hormones. They not only encourage the cutting to develop roots, but ensure the nutrients the plant needs for healthy roots are close by and accessible to the tiny roots. Key nutrients plants need to develop new root systems include potassium and phosphorus. Honey does have some phosphorus and minerals, but not in the right amounts to help develop new roots.

Sugar

Every living thing needs sugar of some sort to survive, and honey is made up of sugar so you’d think it would help plants grow. Plants create their own sugar through photosynthesis. They do not have a digestive system to break down sugars from outside sources and can't absorb sugars in the soil. No matter how much honey is in the soil, plants cannot use it for energy.

  • Rooting compounds contain nutrients plants need, as well as rooting hormones.
  • They not only encourage the cutting to develop roots, but ensure the nutrients the plant needs for healthy roots are close by and accessible to the tiny roots.

Antimicrobial

When taking cuttings, the end that has been cut is open and vulnerable to infection. This is where honey can be of use. While some microorganisms naturally live in honey, it kills most types of bacteria and mold, according to the National Institute of Health. Applying a bit of honey to the end of a cutting can protect it from harmful bacteria or mold in the soil. Don’t be tempted to add large amounts of honey to the soil, however. Soil contains beneficial bacteria that you want to leave alive. Although honey is sweet, it contains high levels of certain acids and most cuttings need a low acidic soil to grow. Too much honey could make the soil too acidic for new plants.

  • When taking cuttings, the end that has been cut is open and vulnerable to infection.
  • Although honey is sweet, it contains high levels of certain acids and most cuttings need a low acidic soil to grow.

Related Articles

Sugar Water for Plants
Sugar Water for Plants
How to Fertilize With Sugar
How to Fertilize With Sugar
Lactobacillus for Plant Growth
Lactobacillus for Plant Growth
Sugar Water As a Flower Preservative
Sugar Water As a Flower Preservative
How Plants Grow with Different Kinds of Liquids
How Plants Grow with Different Kinds of Liquids
How Long Does Potting Soil Last?
How Long Does Potting Soil Last?
The Effects of Vitamin C & Folic Acid on the Growth of Plants
The Effects of Vitamin C & Folic Acid on the Growth...
How to Make Honey Using Rose Hips
How to Make Honey Using Rose Hips
The Difference Between Organic & Inorganic Soil
The Difference Between Organic & Inorganic Soil
Can You Fertilize With Peanut Shells?
Can You Fertilize With Peanut Shells?
Privet Hedge Disease
Privet Hedge Disease
What Does Loamy Soil Mean?
What Does Loamy Soil Mean?
Pros & Cons of Agave Nectar
Pros & Cons of Agave Nectar
What Substances Are Produced by Photosynthesis?
What Substances Are Produced by Photosynthesis?
The Effect of Aspirin on Cut Flowers
The Effect of Aspirin on Cut Flowers
Garden Guides
×