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Want more crepe myrtle in your garden?
Good news—you can grow them from cuttings!
It’s easier than you think. Check out these 9 simple tactics to get started.
Ready to grow your own?
Let’s get those cuttings rooting!
Choose the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to taking cuttings from a crepe myrtle. The best time to do it is in late spring or early summer.
This is when the plant is actively growing and will have the best chance of rooting successfully. Avoid taking cuttings during the dormant winter months.
Pick a Healthy Stem
Always go for a healthy, disease-free stem that’s about six inches long. Make sure the stem is neither too old nor too young.
Look for a stem that is semi-hardwood, meaning it’s not too green and flexible but not too woody and stiff either.
Make the Cut
Use sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors to make a clean cut just below a node (the area where leaves attach to the stem). This cut should be at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area for rooting.
Remove any flowers and lower leaves to focus the plant’s energy on root development.
Prepare the Cutting
Dip the cut end of your stem into a rooting hormone to boost your chances of success. Rooting hormone can be found in most gardening stores and helps speed up the rooting process.
Just a light dip will do the trick.
Plant the Cutting
Plant your cutting in a pot filled with a mix of potting soil and perlite for good drainage. Make a hole in the soil with a pencil or your finger, place the cutting in, and gently firm the soil around it.
Water it lightly to settle the soil but don’t make it soggy.
Keep It Humid
Place a plastic bag over the pot to create a mini greenhouse. This keeps the humidity high, which is crucial for rooting.
Just be sure the bag doesn’t touch the cutting. You can use stakes or sticks to hold the bag up.
Make small holes in the bag for ventilation.
Be Patient
Rooting can take several weeks, so be patient. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Place the pot in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. Check for roots by giving the cutting a gentle tug.
If you feel resistance, roots are forming!
Transplanting
Once your cuttings have roots that are a few inches long, it’s time to transplant them to a larger pot or directly into the garden. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Make sure to water them well to help them get settled in their new home.
Care and Maintenance
After transplanting, keep an eye on your new crepe myrtle plants. Water them regularly and watch out for any signs of stress or disease.
Once they’re established, they should thrive with minimal care. Enjoy watching your garden grow!