Propagating a California Lilac (Ceanothus) is actually pretty straightforward once you know the tricks. If you’re looking to add more of these stunning blue beauties to your garden, I’ve got you covered! There are three main ways to get the job done:
- Layering
- Taking cuttings
- Sowing seeds
Propagating California Lilacs via Layering
Layering is definitely one of the easiest ways to multiply your plants because nature does most of the heavy lifting for you. Just a heads-up: this method won’t work for tree-form or high-stem varieties.
For this technique, find a flexible branch from last year’s growth. Bend it down until it touches the ground and cover a section of it with some soil. To give the plant a little “nudge” to grow roots, lightly nick the underside of the branch with a clean knife. To make sure the branch stays put, weigh it down with a stone or a garden peg.
The best time to start layering is in the spring. You’ll need to be patient, though—it takes until the following spring for the branch to develop enough roots to be snipped away from the mother plant and moved to its new home. It’s a fantastic, budget-friendly way to grow enough plants for a hedge!
Taking Cuttings from your California Lilac
If you prefer taking cuttings, aim for late spring or June. Snip off a young side shoot about 6 to 8 inches long. Strip off the leaves and flowers from the bottom half. Pro tip: trim the remaining top leaves by half to help the cutting retain moisture while it’s busy growing roots.
Stick your cuttings into individual pots filled with seed-starting mix and keep the soil consistently damp. Just be careful not to overwater—California Lilacs hate “wet feet” and are very sensitive to waterlogging.
Even if your little lilac looks strong and starts putting out new growth by autumn, don’t be fooled! It’s not winter-hardy enough to survive a frost yet. Keep it indoors or in a protected spot over winter and wait until after the last frost in May to plant it outside.
Growing California Lilacs from Seed
Growing from seed is the “slow and steady” route and definitely requires the most patience. Keep in mind that seeds aren’t always “true to type,” so the flower color or growth habit might be a fun surprise! If you’re up for the adventure, sow your seeds in the spring and keep the pots indoors for their entire first year to give them the best start.
