Propagating Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly Bushes, which are considered Herbaceous Plants, can easily be propagated to create new plants for your garden or to share with your friends. 

Propagation can be done with different types of cuttings depending on the time of the year, but Softwood (the new growth on the plant that is not woody yet) is generally the easiest to root.  This type of cutting can be taken from most woody plants between May and July. 

Propagation Steps:

1. Combine equal parts of moistened peat moss and perlite and fill your container with this mix.
2. Using sharp pruners or scissors, cut a long stem from the upper portion of the plant just below a node.  Try to find a side shoot, preferably one without flower bud, that is about 4-6 inches long.
3. Remove all leaves on the lower 1/3 - 1/2 of stem.
   

6.  To keep the mix from drying out, you can cover
     the plant with plastic wrap or a sandwich bag.
7.  Place the container in bright light without
     direct sunlight.
8.  Mist regularly.

The cutting will root within about 3 to 6 weeks.  To test whether it has rooted yet, you can gently tug on the stem.  If you feel some resistance, you will know that the cutting has rooted.

Blog by: Sabine Ehlers, CMG

           Materials you will need:
           >  Sharp Pruners or Scissors
           >  Container with Drain Holes
           >  Moistened Peat Moss
           >  Perlite
           >  Plastic Wrap or Sandwich Bag
           >  Rooting Hormone (optional)

4.  Stick it in your prepared peat moss/perlite
     mix.  You could (optionally) dip the cuttings
     in a rooting hormone before placing it into
     the container to help strengthen the process.
5.  Water