What concrete changes are affecting amateur gardeners in France this season? With gardening aisles emptying of certain familiar products and plant propagation practices needing to be reinvented, the current season is altering actions that many considered taken for granted. This article assesses the extent of these regulatory and technical evolutions for gardening in France.
Synthetic rooting hormones: an aisle soon to be empty in garden centers
The significant event of this season concerns the announced disappearance of rooting powders based on indolebutyric acid from retail shelves. These products, long sold without restriction, are now classified as phytopharmaceutical products and fall under the Labbé law, which regulates the use of pesticides by individuals since January 1, 2019.
The direct consequence is already visible: many amateur gardeners find themselves facing nearly empty propagation aisles in garden centers. The transition requires a change in method, not just in product.
| Cutting Method | Accessibility in 2026 | Technical Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic hormone (indolebutyric acid) | On the verge of extinction for individuals | Low |
| Blister propagation | Free, without restriction | Medium |
| Natural auxiliaries (willow water, honey) | Free, without restriction | Low to medium |
| Biocontrol (approved products) | Available in garden centers | Low |
To keep track of these regulatory changes and their practical repercussions, the news on Spot Jardin regularly documents the changes affecting amateur gardening.
Labbé law and phytosanitary products: what changes for the amateur gardener
The disappearance of rooting hormones is just a symptom of a broader regulatory movement. The Labbé law, which came into effect in 2019, continues to produce cascading effects on products accessible to individuals. Each season sees new molecules leaving the shelves.
The regulatory framework clearly distinguishes professionals from amateurs. Non-professional gardeners no longer have access to products classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic) or to most chemical herbicides. This restriction does not only concern herbicides: it is gradually extending to synthetic fungicides and insecticides.
Common products now inaccessible to individuals
- Selective herbicides for lawns based on synthetic molecules, removed from public sales and subject to fines for non-compliant use
- White vinegar used as a herbicide, which, despite its natural image, has no marketing authorization as a phytosanitary product
- Elderberry manure and certain homemade preparations, whose use may lead to sanctions if the product is not listed on the official list of basic substances or PNPP (naturally low-risk preparations)
The most common mistake is to believe that a “natural” product is automatically authorized. Only products listed on an official list can be used without legal risk, regardless of their origin.
Propagation without hormones: alternative techniques for autumn
Autumn remains the preferred season for propagating trees, fruit shrubs, and many garden plants. Without access to synthetic powders, alternative methods are gaining relevance.
Blister propagation involves placing the cutting under an airtight device (bell, transparent plastic bag) to maintain humidity close to saturation. This technique works on a wide range of plants and compensates for the absence of hormone with a constant humidity level. The success rate varies by species, but the results are comparable to those obtained with a synthetic hormone on softwood plants.
Willow water is the most documented alternative. Willow twigs naturally contain salicylic acid, which promotes rooting. The preparation involves soaking freshly cut willow stems in water for a few days, then using this water to water the cuttings.
Three criteria for successful hormone-free propagation this autumn
- The choice of wood: favor stems from the year, semi-hardened, taken in the morning when the tissues are well hydrated
- The substrate must remain draining and light (sand-soil mix) to avoid rot, the primary cause of failure in amateur propagation
- The temperature of the substrate matters more than that of the air: soil between 18 and 22 degrees promotes rhizogenesis, which argues for a sheltered location or a mini-greenhouse
Rewilding the garden and spontaneous flowering: a change in perspective
Beyond regulation, the season confirms a shift in how to conceive the garden. Rewilding proposes to let nature partially reclaim its rights, including in private gardens. This is not about abandonment, but about differentiated management where certain areas are intentionally left fallow.
This approach has measurable effects on local biodiversity. Untended areas attract more pollinators than mowed lawns, and the spontaneous flowering of native plants helps feed beneficial insects in the vegetable garden.
For gardeners accustomed to an orderly garden, the compromise is to define limited “wild islands” while maintaining structured paths and flower beds. The garden does not become a jungle: it integrates pockets of free nature that fulfill a specific ecological function.
The regulation on phytosanitary products and the rise of rewilding converge towards the same point. Amateur gardening is moving away from the chemical model to adopt practices where observation and patience replace the systematic use of inputs. Gardeners who anticipate these changes this autumn, particularly by mastering hormone-free propagation and reserving a plot for rewilding, approach the next season with a head start.