There are many ways to spread the beautiful privet in the garden. We show how to propagate privet with cuttings, offshoots and co.
Like so many plants, the privet (Ligustrum) has the ability to reproduce without seeds. And that's actually pretty easy. If you enjoy growing cuttings, sticks and offshoots, then you've come to the right place with this plant.
If you want to surround your entire garden with privet, it can quickly become expensive. But luckily there is also a quick and easy method of propagation at home in your own garden. Since privet grows quickly, this option is a good idea. However, an opaque hedge will take time. Alternatively, you can also plant purchased specimens on parts of the hedge and occupy less important places with your own offspring.
Propagating privet by cuttings
The privet can be propagated quickly using cuttings. To do this, cut off unwoody young shoots in the spring in a length of about 15 to 20 centimeters. You should now remove all leaves from the lower half of the cutting. You then use this part to stick the shoot into loose soil. Either do this directly in the field or put it in a pot. The cutting should be at least halfway underground. With enough water, the cutting will quickly grow into a young plant. To encourage branching, you can remove the foremost part of the tip. You can find more information on what is known as vegetative propagation via cuttings in this article.
Propagating privet with sticks
You can also pull sticks out of privet. For this purpose, however, no young shoots are used, but already woody branches. That's why late August is the right time for this. Apart from that, you proceed in a similar way as with cuttings. Cut a 15 cm stick and remove any excess leaves. Now insert the woodabout halfway into the ground and press lightly. Now all you have to do is water regularly and wait for the plant to develop.
Propagating privet via offshoots
The right time for this measure is in summer. For offshoots or sinkers, however, the mother plant must not be pruned too well. She needs at least one branch long enough to bend down to the ground. If you have such a plant, you can easily score the branch with a sharp and clean knife in the places where it will later touch the ground. Then dig a small hollow in the ground. Instead of planting the offshoot in the ground, you can also do this directly in the pot. Simply place a sufficiently large pot with loose soil under the branch. Once you have dug the hollow, place the branch with the scratched areas in it and cover it with earth. The tip of the shoot is still sticking out at the front. So that the branch does not rise again, but can take root in peace, you can place a sufficiently heavy stone on the heap of earth with the branch underneath. Once the offshoot has grown, you can disconnect from the mother plant.
Privet propagation summary:
- Propagation via cuttings is particularly quick and easy and is done in spring using non-woody shoots
- Sticks are only cut in late August, as this requires woody branches
- For offshoots or lowers, bend a sufficiently long shoot to the ground or to a suitable pot and "plant" it, so to speak
In this special article you will find out how to properly plant the young privet.