Propagate Elaeagnus: when and how?

When to propagate Eleagnus?

Best time to propagate Elaeagnus is summer, from August to October on current-year shoots that are semi-woody or semi-ripe, i.e. beginning their transformation from softwood to hardwood.

Eleagnus ebbingei (Photo: O. Titus)

How to take cuttings of Elaeagnus?

Here’s how to propagate Elaeagnus:

• Start by preparing pots, filling them with a seed-sowing compost or a mix of single compost and sand
• Use lateral shoots that are still fairly tender and choose healthy stems
• Using a pruning shear, take the tip of a current-year shoot, including secondary branches not in flower, 15 to 20 cm long
• Make a clean cut just below a node or a leaf
• Trim ends of lateral shoots to make cuttings about 10 cm long
• Remove leaves from lower part of stem
• Leave only 2 upper leaves on cutting
• Cut terminal leaves by half to reduce evaporation
• Insert cuttings into pots and press soil gently around stems
• Water copiously
• Place cuttings under a humidity dome by covering pots with a clear plastic bag, a cloche or a cut plastic bottle, to maintain a warm humid atmosphere (about 18 to 20°C)
• Set cuttings under cold frame, sheltered from direct sun
• Water regularly so substrate remains moist but not waterlogged
• Air cuttings regularly
• Keep protected from frost over winter
• Repot as needed and only plant out into ground two years later in spring when roots are well developed

Further reading

• Also consult our complete guide: Elaeagnus: planting, pruning, growing
• Discover our ideas for pairing Elaeagnus