The raspberry bush is a small fruit-bearing shrub that's easy to grow and also to propagate! Perfect for anyone wanting more raspberries to pick or share. There are 3 methods for propagating raspberry bushes:

    • removing young shoots: raspberry suckers
    • taking raspberry cuttings
    • sowing raspberry seeds

Discover our step-by-step tutorial for successful raspberry propagation:

Propagating raspberries: removing and replanting suckers

This is the easiest and most effective method of raspberry propagation that we recommend. It involves removing the new shoots from the current year. Raspberry bushes naturally multiply and reproduce through their rhizomes: underground roots that produce and nourish new shoots called suckers. Removing these young shoots is very easy and success is almost guaranteed.

When to divide raspberry bushes?

New raspberry shoots appear in early March. Observe your lawn carefully before the first mowing: you may spot them sometimes quite far from the parent plant! Suckers can be removed in March and April, then again in autumn during October and November.

How to divide raspberry bushes?

  • Dig a hole 30cm wide and 30cm deep where you want to plant your raspberry. Or prepare a pot with compost if you prefer to replant later.
  • Choose a young plant measuring between 15 and 20cm
  • Using a spade, small shovel or digging fork: dig around your young raspberry to get a root ball 10-20cm in diameter. With the fork, you'll need to cut the rhizome (the root connecting the young plant to the parent) using secateurs.

Identify a sucker near the parent plant and remove it with its root ball.

  • Immediately place the young raspberry in the hole or pot
  • Backfill with soil, firming gently
  • Water thoroughly
  • Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture
  • Note: The leaves may droop and appear limp right after planting - don't worry! The rhizome connecting the young plant to its parent has been severed. The young raspberry must now fend for itself. It will need time to recover. Monitor soil moisture and don't hesitate to water.
  • The young plant will produce delicious raspberries the following spring.

Propagating raspberries: taking cuttings

This second method involves taking cuttings from a raspberry branch. Note that this method is more complex, time-consuming and labour-intensive. Success rates are also lower than with the sucker method.

When to take raspberry cuttings?

The best time to take raspberry cuttings is in June. Summer warmth helps the young shoot develop roots.

How to take raspberry cuttings?

  • Use secateurs to cut a healthy green branch from your raspberry
  • Cut just below a node (where leaves emerge)
  • Count 3 nodes and cut above the third

Cut just below a node, then count 3 nodes and cut just above the third.

  • Remove all leaves
  • Prepare several cuttings this way
  • Prepare pots with light compost.
  • Water the compost to moisten it.
  • Make a small 3-5cm deep hole with your finger or a stick.
  • Optionally, dip the stem base in rooting hormone before planting, using a root activator or willow water.
  • Plant the stem in its pot, leaving the top 2 nodes exposed
  • Firm the compost gently
  • Cover with a transparent dome to maintain humidity, such as: a cloche, the top of a plastic bottle or under a mini greenhouse. Ensure the stem doesn't touch the cover! Any emerging leaves touching it may rot.

Remove all leaves, plant your stem in moist compost and cover with a cloche.

  • Place the pot in a bright spot, ideally partial shade. Raspberry cuttings need humidity and warmth but no direct sun.
  • Monitor watering to keep compost moist and ventilate every 3-4 days.
  • Leaves should appear after about 1 month
  • Roots will develop in 2-3 months, after which you can repot.
  • The young plant will produce delicious raspberries after one or two years.

Propagating raspberries: sowing seeds

When to sow raspberry seeds?

Sowing raspberry seeds should be done in spring when temperatures become milder, between April and June depending on your climate.

How to sow raspberries?

  • Prepare pots with seed compost filled to 2cm from the top, firming gently
  • Water the compost
  • Sow 3-4 seeds per pot and cover with 1cm of compost
  • Place pots in a cold frame or bright spot at 15-20°C
  • Keep compost moist but not waterlogged
  • Seedlings will emerge after a few weeks.
  • The young plant will produce delicious raspberries after one or two years.

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