Aubrieta (often called False Rockcress) isn’t just incredibly low-maintenance; it’s also a total lifesaver for those tricky garden spots where nothing else seems to thrive. I’m talking about rock gardens, dry stone walls, and even those tiny little crevices in your masonry. It’s no wonder so many of us want more of it! If you’re looking to spread the love, there are three main ways to propagate your Aubrieta.
The Easiest Way: Sowing Seeds
With a lot of perennials, I usually steer people away from starting from seed because other methods are faster or more reliable. Plus, getting some seeds to actually germinate can feel like a science experiment gone wrong. But with Aubrieta? It’s a breeze. If you wait until May, you can simply scatter the seeds directly outdoors exactly where you want them to grow. Once it’s established, it’ll usually self-seed on its own. If you want to keep it from taking over, just make sure to deadhead the faded flowers before the seeds have a chance to ripen.
Using Cuttings
If you have a very specific spot in mind for your new plants, taking cuttings is the way to go. Here’s the play-by-play:
- Fill some small pots with a good seed-starting mix.
- Snip off some healthy shoots and strip the leaves off the bottom half.
- Stick the cuttings into your prepared pots.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
You’ll want to keep your pots in a sunny spot, ideally somewhere warm (between 68°F and 77°F). Because they love that warmth, summer is the perfect time to try this outdoors.
For the Pros: Dividing Aubrieta
In the gardening world, dividing plants is usually the “easy” route, while seeds are the “hard” route. Well, Aubrieta likes to be different! I’d actually recommend skipping division unless you’re feeling really confident. These plants have a very delicate, minimal root system. If you damage those roots while digging them up and then try to slice them apart, there’s a good chance the new sections won’t survive the transplant. Stick to seeds or cuttings, and your garden will thank you!
