Growing Roses from Rose Hips

The seedpod of a rose is called a rose hip.

Propagating your roses with the rose hips grown off your own rose bushes is a great way to grow more of the bushes you love and even develop new hybridized bushes from your own garden. The process of getting seeds to sprout, however, takes a few months. You will also have to avoid the temptation to cut flowering roses off your bush in order for the rose hips to develop.
1
Cut the rose hips off the bush with clippers when the rose hips are ripe. It can take several months for rose hips to ripen and color does not determine if they are ripe. Once ripe, the rose hip will start to feel soft when squeezed gently and may even fall off the bush. Fall to winter is the best time to clip the rose hips.
2
Cut the rose hip in half with a knife to expose the seeds. Pull the rose seeds out with your fingers or a fork.

3
In a cup, mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of bleach.

4
Place rose seeds in the cup of water mixed with bleach. Let the seeds set for about 20 minutes. This will help prevent any bacteria and mold growth on the seeds.

5
Place cheesecloth in a strainer. Pour the cup of bleach and water with the seeds over the cheesecloth to separate the seeds from the water.

6
Rinse the seeds gently with water while still held on the cheesecloth.

7
Place the seeds into a small plastic container with a lid or a plastic sealable bag. Put a small amount of damp peat moss in the bag.

8
Place the container of seeds into a cold area at approximately 35 degrees F for about 45 to 60 days. Rose seeds need to have stratification, which is exposure to cold temperatures, in order to sprout. If you live in an area where it rarely freezes, you can place the seeds on a shelf outside. If you live where it does freeze, then put the seeds into the refrigerator.

9
Plant the seeds 1/4-inch deep in small pots or a tray filled with a soil mixture made for roses after 45 to 60 days in the cold.

10
Place the planted seeds in direct sunlight, preferably outside as long as it is not cold enough to have frost. You can also place the planted seeds by a window or under a grow light.

11
Water the seeds regularly to keep the soil damp. In about two to six weeks, the viable seeds will start to sprout.