Propagating Weigelia: Cuttings, Planters & Co

Hardly any gardener can have enough of the lush flowering and easy-care weigela. We will show you how you can easily multiply your weigela!

The genus of Weigelia (Weigela) from the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) includes about 12 species and numerous varieties that enchant with different foliage and different flower colors. The most beautiful Weigela varieties and species we have put together for you in our special article. Below we explain how to successfully propagate Weigela.

Propagate Weigela by cuttings

Propagation via cuttings is a very common method and can also be easily carried out by hobby gardeners.

When cutting off the cuttings, make sure that the cutting edge is slanted - this way no water will remain on it and the wounds will dry well after every rain.

Tip: Always use sharp and clean cutting tools so as not to injure the plant unnecessarily and to make it difficult for fungi and other pathogens to penetrate the wound.

• The appropriate period for the cuttings propagation is after the flowering period from July to August.
• Choose a shoot tip that is 15 – 20 cm long and is semi-lignified – that is: neither soft and green, nor hard and heavily lignified.
• Ideally, this is a shoot that has not formed any flowers.
• The foliage can be removed except for 3 - 4 leaves.
• Cut the cutting diagonally below a former leaf axil.
• Now the freshly cut shoot is placed in potting soil. For example, ours is suitable for this Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil. This is poorer in nutrients than other soils and is therefore ideal for cuttings, as they cannot use an excess of nutrients.
• It is now poured continuously, whereby no waterlogging may occur.
• In addition, a bright location without direct sunlight should be ensured.
• If the shoot tips begin to grow, the propagation of the cuttings was successful.
• Overwinter the young cuttings indoors in the first winter at temperatures between 10 and 15 °C.
• In the coming spring, the young weigela can then be planted in the garden or in a larger pot - read more in our overview article on the genus Weigela.

Propagating Weigela via offshoots

Alternatively, you can propagate your weigela in the spring with offshoots:

• Dig furrows about 10 cm deep radiating around the mother plant.
• Now the young shoots of the weigela are “placed” in the furrows.
• At the same time, fill the grooves with topsoil and press it down carefully.
• New shoots with their own roots will form from each of the discarded buds.
• In autumn, these can be carefully separated from the mother plant and planted separately. Use sharp and clean pruning shears to divide.

Tip: Freshly planted offshoots should be given winter protection as they are not yet sufficiently established. Wrap the plants with fleece or jute, for example, to prevent frost damage.

With so-called sinkers, the shoots are also stuck into the ground to the side of the mother plant, but the shoot tips are clearly visible from the ground. They are attached to the ground with a hook and covered with topsoil. This method produces only one newly rooted shoot that can be divided by the mother plant.

Sow weigela seeds

On the other hand, sowing the weigela seeds that form inside the capsule fruits is an unusual method of propagation. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the propagation of cuttings and offshoots is relatively easy to carry out. On the other hand, when propagating seeds, you cannot be sure whether the new plant will look like the mother plant. Furthermore, it takes up to three years for the weigela grown from seed to flower. Therefore, in order for you to carry out a successful propagation, we recommend choosing one of the vegetative propagation methods.

Tip: Even those who don't have the time or desire to multiply their weigela don't have to do without a sea of ​​flowers in their garden. In our online shop you can namely various Buy Weigela and have it delivered directly to your home.

An equally beautiful deciduous plant is the corkwing bush (Euonymus alatus), which turns into a deep red eye-catcher in autumn. The tree grows both in the garden and in pots for balconies and terraces.