Not every gardener has a massive budget to go out and buy a bunch of new plants. So, what’s the next best thing? Propagating the ones you already have! It’s a great way to fill out your garden for free, and you can even swap your homegrown honeysuckle with neighbors or friends.
Is it easy to propagate honeysuckle yourself?
The short answer is: yes! Honeysuckle is actually pretty easy to multiply. Depending on how much patience or time you have, there are a few different methods to choose from. Just a heads-up: if you grow it from seeds, the new plants might not look exactly like the parent plant. If you want an exact “clone,” you’ll want to go with vegetative propagation, like cuttings or layering.
Growing from Seed
Growing honeysuckle from seed is definitely the “slow and steady” route. By September or October, the seeds on your honeysuckle should be ripe and ready to plant immediately. Just cover them with a thin layer of soil and keep them consistently moist. They sprout best at temperatures between 65°F and 70°F (18°C to 20°C), and you can usually expect to see sprouts in about four weeks.
Vegetative Propagation
If you want a plant that is genetically identical to the one you already love, try cuttings or layering. Summer is the perfect time to take cuttings—you can even use the leftovers from your regular pruning session! Aim for cuttings that are about four to six inches long.
Another easy trick is “layering.” Simply take a young, flexible branch, bend it down to the ground, cover a section with soil, and weigh it down with a stone. The best time for this is in the spring (March to May). By fall, that branch should have developed its own root system, meaning you can snip it away from the “mom” plant and move it to a new spot in your yard.
The Quick Facts:
- You can propagate via seeds, cuttings, or layering.
- Germination time: about 4 weeks.
- Ideal sprouting temp: 65°F to 70°F.
- Transplanting: Wait until the plant has at least 4 new leaves.
- Take cuttings in the summer.
- Try layering in the spring.
- Keep an eye on young plants; they might not be fully winter-hardy during their first year.
Pro tip: Don’t be in too much of a rush to move your babies! Wait until your young honeysuckle has grown at least four new leaves before transplanting it.
