The thorn apple (Datura) is a real showstopper with its stunning blooms and unique foliage. If you’ve fallen in love with yours and want to add a few more to your garden, you’re in luck! Propagating these plants is actually pretty straightforward.
Here are the two best ways to get the job done:
- Growing from seeds
- Growing from cuttings
Propagating Datura from Seeds
After those beautiful flowers fade, the thorn apple develops small seed pods. These pods are packed with seeds you can harvest for new plants. Just wait until they are fully ripe before picking them—this can take a bit of patience, as some varieties take all winter to mature. Of course, if you don’t want to wait, you can always buy seeds at a local nursery or online.
You have two choices here: start them indoors in pots or sow them directly in the garden. If you’re starting indoors, fill a pot with seed-starting mix and plant your seeds. Keep the pot in a warm spot (around 70°F or 20°C) and make sure the soil stays consistently moist. Once your seedlings are sturdy, they’ll be ready to move outside—just wait until the weather is consistently warm. If you prefer direct sowing, wait until late spring. The sweet spot for planting outdoors is usually between May and June.
Rooting Cuttings for New Plants
The second method is using cuttings, which is a great way to get a head start. In the spring, find a healthy, green branch (avoid the woody, dry parts) and snip off a piece about 6 inches long. Make your cut right below a leaf node.
Next, strip off the lower leaves, leaving only about three leaves at the very top. Stick the bottom end into a pot filled with fresh potting soil and give it a good drink. Keep it watered, and within a few weeks, it should develop a strong enough root system that you can transplant it into a larger container or right into your garden beds.
