Can I Plant a Crape Myrtle From a Clipping?

Softwood Cuttings

• Using softwood cuttings is among the commonly used method of propagating crape myrtle. Softwood cutting are the soft and pliable, current year growth of any plant. The cuttings are taken just as the base of the stem starts to get a little firm. The stem from where the cutting is taken mainly consists of immature and soft tissue. Recommended time to take softwood cutting is anywhere between the middle of spring to midsummer.

Planting Softwood Cuttings

• Take three to four, 4- to 6-inch-long cuttings from actively growing stems using a sharp scissors. Measure from stem tips. Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting soil to root cuttings. Remove all leaves from the lower half of each cutting. Dip the base of the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant immediately in the pot, inserting to a depth of about 2 inches. Mist cuttings regularly until rooted. Transfer rooted cuttings to individual medium-sized pots and let plants get stronger in growth before transplanting to a permanent spot in the garden.

Hardwood Cuttings

• Use hardwood cuttings from the crape myrtle to easily propagate the plant. Hardwood cuttings are taken from fully mature, current year growth. These cuttings are taken immediately following leaf fall in autumn during the dormant stage of the plant. Recommended time to take hardwood cuttings is between late fall and early winter. Hardwood stems consist of woody, completely mature tissue.

Planting Hardwood Cuttings

• Cut 8-inch-long sections from hardwood stems between early and mid November. Select stems with a diameter of about 1/2 inch. Measure from stem tips. Fill a small pot with potting soil or a well-draining garden soil. Plant the cuttings in the soil deep enough so that only an inch is visible above soil line. Place in a bright, warm site until rooted. You can leave cuttings outdoors, but protect from any hard freeze. Move the pot into the sun after the cutting shows some grow. Water well and let plants get stronger prior to planting in the ground.