Sweet William Care & Propagation

Seeds

• The fruit of sweet William is a hard capsule full of numerous seeds. Remove the capsule before it shatters and collect the seeds. Start the seeds indoors in February or outdoors in April. When starting indoors, place pot in a warm spot with the preferred temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheir. It takes seven to 14 days for the seeds to germinate. Seeds are the easiest method of propagating sweet William, says the Michigan State University Extension website.

Cuttings

• To propagate with cuttings, cut sections from the non-flowering, softwood shoots and plant in a small pot filled with equal amounts of sand and perlite. Ensure the planting medium is moist and remains moist throughout rooting. Place pot in a warm, bright area out of direct sun. The cuttings usually root within a few weeks. Once new plants grow sturdier, plant in a fertile, moist, well-drained site.

Runners

• Sweet William also produces runners, much like strawberry plants, that may be used for propagating new plants. Runners are thin stems that grow from the lower portion of the plants. The runners start to produce roots where the nodes touch the soil. Once these roots have formed, sever the new plant from the mother plant and place in a rooting medium. Let the plants get a little stronger before transferring to a permanent spot in the garden.

Care

• Sweet William is a short-lived plant that grows best in a moderately acidic, well-drained soil. The plant is not overly particular about soil fertility and blooms best in regions with cool weather. Plant the dwarf varieties 6 to 8 inches apart. Space taller varieties at least 1 foot apart. The plant self-sows freely. Select a site in full sun for best growth. Irrigate plants regularly during summer and keep weeds under control. Weed control is especially important in younger plants to help minimize competition.