Growing your own privet is actually super easy! Whether you’re looking to fill in some gaps or start a whole new project, there are a few different ways to get the job done. I’ve rounded up the most popular and effective methods so you can start propagating your privet right at home.
The Different Ways to Grow Your Own Privet
If you’re dreaming of more greenery or want to plant a brand-new privet hedge, you don’t need to spend a fortune at the nursery. You can propagate privet yourself using these three main methods:
- Softwood or hardwood cuttings
- Layering
- Growing from seed
Growing Privet from Seed
While you *can* grow privet from seed, I’ll be honest with you: it takes a ton of patience. Between waiting for the berries to form, letting them ripen, and then waiting for the seeds to actually germinate, you’re looking at a long timeline. Compared to the other methods, it’s just a bit more work for a slower payoff. Most gardeners find cuttings much more rewarding!
Growing Privet from Cuttings
This is the “gold standard” for home gardeners. It’s the most common and successful way to get new plants. Plus, whenever you give your privet a trim, you’ll have plenty of leftover shoots to work with! Just stick these cuttings into the ground or a starter pot. Keep them well-watered, and they’ll start developing their own root systems in no time.
If you’re using hardwood cuttings (stems that have already turned woody), you can often pop them directly into the soil where you want them to grow. Just keep the soil moist to encourage rooting and new leaf growth. One quick tip: if you’re planting them directly in the ground right before winter, make sure to give those “babies” a little extra protection from the frost and cold.
Growing Privet through Layering
Layering is another cool, low-effort trick. Find a long, flexible branch on your main plant, bend it down to the ground, and cover a section of it with soil. Keep that spot nice and moist. Once that branch develops its own roots and new shoots, you can snip it away from the mother plant and move it to its new home.
Caring for Your Young Plants
For the most part, young privet plants like the same growing conditions as the grown-ups. The big secret to success, though, is water. Make sure to give them consistent, regular watering during those first few months. This helps them establish a strong root system so they can thrive for years to come!
