Synthetic chemicals used in plant propagation via cuttings to stimulate shoot and root growth are currently may be replaced by the more environment friendly biostimulators of natural origin. As the rhizogensis depend on the carbon balance in the cuttings the aim of this study was to evaluate the gas exchange parameters during rooting of common ninebark stem cuttings treated with two biostimulators as compared to synthetic auxin IBA. The yellow-leaved cultivar ‘Dart’s Gold’ was used. Biostimulators - AlgaminoPlant containing sea weed extracts and plant hormones or Route with zinc acetate as an active ingredient were sprayed on the cuttings’ leaves once, twice or three times during a 7-week period of rooting. IBA was applied either in a commercial rooting powder to the cuttings’ bases or as a water solution sprayed on leaves. The effect of biostimulators on rooting depended on the year (2012 vs 2013), their type, and the dose used and in some cases it was comparable to the effect of the auxin applied as a commercial rooting powder which usually gave the best results considerably improving the degree of rooting and the percentage of rooted cuttings, relative to control. Generally, all treatments stimulated gas exchange in cuttings, but no relationship was observed between the gas exchange parameters such as photosynthesis, respiration, stomatal conductance, and carbon balance and rhizogenesis itself. Apparently, the commonly held belief of a direct association between gas exchange and rooting ability of cuttings is more complex than it appears.