The imidazole-2-carboxylic acid amides of the general formula ##STR1## in which R represents alkyl, have powerful growth-regulating properties. The invention provides a method of regulating the growth of plants, which comprises applying to the plants, or to a habitat thereof, a compound of the formula (I) alone or in the form of a composition containing as active ingredient a compound of the formula (I) in admixture with a diluent or carrier.