Selective propagation of the butterfly bush is ideal for creating a beautiful hedge or group planting. Everything you need to know about propagating butterfly bushes can be found here.
The easy-care and robust butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is not one of the most popular and best-known ornamental shrubs in European gardens for nothing. Its lush flowers vary in colour depending on the buddleia variety and form an important food source for insects in midsummer. Propagation of this wonderfully fragrant shrub can be done by various methods and is easy.
There are three simple methods that can be used to propagate butterfly bushes easily and effectively: Propagation via
The following winter the young plants should be kept in a light, cool and dry, but frost-free room. Next spring there will be nothing to stop you planting them outdoors.
Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a popular flowering shrub known for its long panicles of fragrant blooms that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Native to China, butterfly bush grows quickly and can reach up to 15 feet tall and wide. These hardy, fast-growing shrubs thrive in zones 5-9.
Propagating your own butterfly bushes is an easy and affordable way to add more of these pollinator-friendly plants to your landscape. There are several simple propagation methods to choose from – growing from seeds, taking stem cuttings dividing mature plants, or transplanting suckers.
Why Propagate Butterfly Bushes?
- Produces identical plants quickly and cheaply
- Great way to share plants with gardening friends
- Fill your garden with this pollinator-magnet
- Fun and easy propagation project for any gardener
When to Propagate Butterfly Bushes
Butterfly bushes can be propagated at various times of year using different techniques
Spring – Best for taking softwood cuttings, dividing plants, and transplanting root suckers while shrubs are actively growing.
Summer – Ideal time for taking semi-ripe tip cuttings for propagation.
Fall – Mature plants can be divided in early fall. Hardwood cuttings can also be taken once flowering finishes.
Winter – Stratify seeds by chilling for planting in spring.
Propagating Butterfly Bushes from Seeds
Growing butterfly bushes from seed is the most natural but slowest propagation method. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Collecting Seeds
In fall, allow spent flower heads to dry out completely on the plant. Then harvest the tiny seed capsules.
Stratifying Seeds
Place seeds in an envelope and store in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks. This cold treatment (stratification) helps break dormancy.
Sowing Seeds
Fill starter trays with seed starting mix. Scatter seeds lightly on the soil surface. Mist gently to water.
Caring for Seedlings
Keep seeds at 65-70°F degrees with even moisture and lots of light. Thin seedlings once true leaves appear.
Transplanting Outdoors
In spring after the last frost, transplant seedlings into the garden once they reach 6 inches tall.
Growing from seeds takes patience but it’s rewarding to watch your plants develop! Expect flowers within the second year.
Taking Butterfly Bush Cuttings
Taking cuttings from an existing shrub is the fastest way to propagate new butterfly bush plants. Follow these simple steps:
Selecting Cuttings
Take 3-6 inch tip cuttings from vigorous new growth in spring or summer. Make angled cuts just below a leaf node.
Preparing Cuttings
Remove lower leaves and pinch off any flowers or buds. Dip the trimmed end in rooting hormone (optional).
Rooting Cuttings
Stick cuttings in sterile seed starting mix, perlite or vermiculite. Water well and cover with plastic to retain moisture.
Caring for Cuttings
Keep cuttings warm (65-75°F) in bright, indirect light. Keep soil moist but not soggy until roots develop in 4-8 weeks.
Transplanting
Once rooted, transplant cuttings into containers or the garden. Fertilize lightly to promote growth. Enjoy flowers the first season!
Taking cuttings is a quick, easy way to multiply your butterfly bushes. With proper care, each new plant will establish rapidly.
Dividing Existing Butterfly Bushes
Mature shrubs can be divided to propagate more plants. Here’s how:
When to Divide
Divisions are best done in early spring before active growth resumes.
Digging Up Shrub
Water shrub well before dividing. Carefully dig up the entire plant using a shovel or garden fork.
Dividing Root Ball
Use pruners or a sharp knife to separate the root ball into smaller sections, each with roots and some top growth.
Replanting Divisions
Plant divisions at same depth as original shrub. Water well and fertilize to encourage fast re-establishment.
Dividing overgrown plants helps rejuvenate them while generating new butterfly bush shrubs. Divisions may bloom lightly the first year as they establish.
Transplanting Suckers
Butterfly bushes often spread by underground rhizomes, sending up new shoots (suckers) around the main plant. These make great transplants!
Identifying Suckers
Look for young shoots coming up from the ground near mature shrubs. These are genetic clones.
Digging Up Suckers
Carefully dig out suckers with their attached roots using a trowel or shovel.
Replanting Suckers
Transplant suckers to prepared beds or containers with rich, well-draining soil. Water until established.
These new plants are exact copies of the parent plant, providing easy butterfly bush propagation!
Butterfly Bush Propagation Tips
Follow these handy tips for success propagating and growing new butterfly bushes:
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Take cuttings from only healthy, vigorous mother plants
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Use sterilized pots, soil mix and tools to prevent disease transmission
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For better rooting, apply rooting hormone to cut ends (optional)
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Maintain warm temperature (65-75°F) for starting seeds & rooting cuttings
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Gradually harden off seedlings and cuttings before transplanting outdoors
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Transplant into well-draining soil enriched with compost or manure
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Water newly propagated plants frequently until their roots establish
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Avoid overfertilizing new plants – go easy at first
With proper propagation and care, your new butterfly bush plants will flourish, providing seasons of spectacular blooms!
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Here are some common butterfly bush propagation issues and solutions:
Seeds don’t germinate – Old seeds may not be viable. Ensure proper storage and stratification. Discard floaters.
Cuttings fail to root – Use younger growth, rooting hormone. Maintain ideal temperature and moisture levels.
Transplants dying – Harden off gradually before planting outdoors. Transplant into well-draining soil, water deeply after outplanting.
Poor flowering – Allow young plants time to mature. First year blooms may be sparse.
Enjoying Your Propagated Butterfly Bushes
The rewarding process of propagating your own new shrubs allows you to expand your garden butterfly bush collection for free! It’s very gratifying to watch your tip cuttings or divisions grow into mature, flower-laden specimens.
Place your propagated butterfly bushes in full sun with well-drained soil. Fertilize lightly in early spring. Prune annually after flowering to control size and shape. Then relax and watch the flowers and butterflies return summer after summer!
With proper propagation methods and care, your new butterfly bushes will thrive for years, providing beautiful blooms and invaluable pollinator habitat.
You want to know who’s behind Plantura?
Selective propagation of the butterfly bush is ideal for creating a beautiful hedge or group planting. Everything you need to know about propagating butterfly bushes can be found here.
The Buddleia davidii is a real magnet for butterflies [Photo: Tommy Larey/ Shutterstock.com]
The easy-care and robust butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is not one of the most popular and best-known ornamental shrubs in European gardens for nothing. Its lush flowers vary in colour depending on the buddleia variety and form an important food source for insects in midsummer. Propagation of this wonderfully fragrant shrub can be done by various methods and is easy.
There are three simple methods that can be used to propagate butterfly bushes easily and effectively: Propagation via
The following winter the young plants should be kept in a light, cool and dry, but frost-free room. Next spring there will be nothing to stop you planting them outdoors.
After successful propagation, the Buddleia davidii will grow quickly [Photo: Peter Turner Photography/ Shutterstock.com]
Propagating the butterfly bush by cutting
Classic propagation by cutting is particularly suitable for propagating buddleia. For this, take not too soft, flowerless shoots of the mother plant. The best time to propagate butterfly bushes via cuttings is between June and mid-August. Proceed as follows:
- Shorten the cuttings to 10 – 15 cm
- The foliage is removed except for the 2-3 upper leaves.
- Cut off the remaining leaf green by half to minimise the evaporation of the plant
- Put the cuttings in growing pots and fill them with suitable substrate such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost
- Last but not least, water them a little – the soil should always be kept moist
- To increase the humidity a little, a translucent plastic bag can be put over the cutting
- The growing container should be ventilated regularly to avoid mould growth
- If the first new leaves form, the cutting has got new roots and the propagation was successful
- Prick out your cuttings into larger pots if necessary
- Next spring the young shoot of the butterfly bush can be planted out
- Perfect for herbs as well as sowing, propagating & transplanting
- For aromatic herbs & healthy seedlings with strong roots
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
How to propagate a Butterfly Bush
FAQ
What is the best way to propagate buddleia?
davidii and most other Buddleja species are easy to propagate from cuttings. The cultivars do not come true from seeds and taking cuttings is the best way to clone a plant.
Does butterfly bush root in water?
Propagating a cutting in water
Placing your bush cutting in a glass or vase of water until it develops bottom roots, ensuring the bottom of the cutting is completely submerged. Then, place the glass on a warm, bright windowsill — avoid direct sunlight.
Can I grow a butterfly bush from a cutting?
Butterfly Bushes can also be propagated by stem cuttings. In late spring and early summer take a 4- to 6-inch long cutting of a new stem once the stem is sturdy enough to not bend. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and stick the cuttings in a pot filled with moistened potting soil.
What time of year do you cut back butterfly bushes?
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Timing:
- Late Winter/Early Spring: Prune after the threat of frost has passed but before the plant begins to grow.
- Avoid Fall Pruning: Pruning in the fall can encourage new growth that might be damaged by early frosts.
- Late Winter/Early Spring: Prune after the threat of frost has passed but before the plant begins to grow.
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Why Prune in Spring?
- Promotes New Growth: Cutting back the old stems encourages the plant to produce new, vigorous growth, which is where the flowers will bloom.
- Controls Size and Shape: Pruning helps to maintain the desired size and shape of the butterfly bush.
- Removes Dead or Damaged Wood: Pruning removes any dead or broken branches, promoting healthier growth.
- Promotes New Growth: Cutting back the old stems encourages the plant to produce new, vigorous growth, which is where the flowers will bloom.
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How to Prune:
- Hard Pruning: For non-dwarf varieties, cut back to 12-24 inches or even nearly to the ground, as butterfly bushes are very resilient.
- Dwarf Varieties: Cut back dwarf types by at least half their height.
- Remove Dead or Damaged Wood: Remove any dead or broken branches.
- Hard Pruning: For non-dwarf varieties, cut back to 12-24 inches or even nearly to the ground, as butterfly bushes are very resilient.
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Other Considerations:
- Summer Pruning: You can also prune in the summer to encourage more blooms or to tidy up the plant.
- Not Necessary Every Year: Butterfly bushes don’t need to be pruned every year, but pruning can help to maintain their health and vigor.
- Mulching: Mulch around the base of the bush for insulation, especially in colder climates.
- Summer Pruning: You can also prune in the summer to encourage more blooms or to tidy up the plant.