Propagating Mock Orange (also known as False Jasmine) is a great way to get more of those fragrant blooms in your yard without spending a dime. While taking cuttings is the most popular method, there are a few other ways to get the job done. Here’s a breakdown of how to grow your Mock Orange collection like a pro.
Different Ways to Propagate Mock Orange
Just like True Jasmine, Mock Orange can be propagated using a few different techniques. Depending on how much time and effort you want to put in, you can choose from:
- Stem cuttings
- Layering
- Seeds
Propagating Mock Orange from Cuttings
The easiest and most common way to grow new plants is by taking cuttings. You’ll want to snip off young, flexible stems that haven’t turned woody yet. Stick these into a pot with some starter soil and keep them cozy. Once you see new leaves popping up and feel some resistance when you give them a tiny tug (that means roots are forming!), they’re ready to be moved into your garden or a larger permanent pot.
Just a heads-up: not every single cutting is going to make it. It’s always a smart move to prep a few more than you actually need just in case.
Propagating Mock Orange through Layering
If you want a more “hands-off” approach, try layering. Find a young, bendy branch that’s close to the ground, gently pin it down into the soil (or into a small pot placed nearby), and keep it in place. After a few weeks, that branch will start developing its own root system and new buds. Once it’s established, you can snip it away from the mother plant and let it grow on its own. From there, you just treat it like any other newly rooted cutting.
Growing Mock Orange from Seed
You can also try your luck with seeds, which you can buy or harvest yourself from the berries that appear after the flowering season. I’ll be honest with you, though—this is the toughest route. Mock Orange seeds can be a bit finicky and don’t always have the best germination rate. You might end up with only a few sprouts, or sometimes none at all, so it requires a lot of patience!
A Pro Tip for Success
A lot of gardeners swear by rooting hormone powder to help things along. While it certainly doesn’t hurt, Mock Orange is usually such a vigorous grower that you don’t really need it. These cuttings tend to find their feet and start rooting on their own pretty quickly!
