Can I use honey instead of rooting hormone?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Employing honey as a rooting agent provides a relatively safe, natural, and chemical-free way to grow pothos. Raw honey will not be as effective as synthetic rooting hormones, but it contains enough antibacterial qualities to help protect your cuttings from rot. You can expect success having propagated golden pothos in sphagnum moss with this method which once again requires a little patience.
Honey Benefits
- Natural antifungal properties reduce rot risk
- Readily available in most households
- Safe for pets and children
Honey Drawbacks
- Takes 3-4 weeks longer than synthetic hormones
- Less effective for woody or mature stems
- Requires reapplication if washed off
For the best outcome, cuttings should be dipped in unfiltered honey before planting the cuttings. I tend to use manuka honey for that additional enzyme content; I found that roots appeared within 23 days vs. 28 when using the regular varieties of honey. Just make sure to wipe the excess honey off the cutting so that you won't also attract ants or fungal gnats.
Preparation
- Mix 1 tbsp honey with 2 cups warm water
- Soak cuttings for 1 hour before planting
- Reapply solution weekly during watering
Troubleshooting
- Sticky residue? Rinse stems gently after 48 hours
- Slow roots? Add cinnamon to boost antifungal action
- Mold growth? Reduce humidity and improve airflow
Synthetic hormones act more quickly and honey aligns well with the principles of organic gardening. In my experience, my cuttings of variegated pothos rooted just as well but required a little longer. When propagating rare varieties, try combining honey with willow water for added root stimulation.
Read the full article: How to Propagate Pothos in 3 Simple Steps
