How to Take Cuttings from Honeysuckle?

Honeysuckle is highly prized for its beautiful warm-toned blooms and the delightful fragrance of its flowers. Additionally, this climbing plant is very easy to grow and has rapid growth. It can be grown in large pots or directly in the ground, making Honeysuckle perfect for covering trellises, pergolas, or any other support. These are all good reasons to propagate it. There are two different techniques that can be used at different times of the year: semi-hardwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings. Follow our step-by-step guide to successfully propagate your Honeysuckle.

honeysuckle flowering, honeysuckle fragrance

When to take Honeysuckle cuttings?

Cuttings can be taken at two different times of the year, depending on the type of cutting:

In August or September, you can take semi-hardwood cuttings. These are shoots taken from the current year's growth, also known as semi-ripe cuttings. They can be identified by their tender, flexible tips and firmer, brown base. These young spring shoots become woody in summer, transitioning from softwood to hardwood.
The other method involves taking autumn cuttings, with or without leaves. This is done from October to November by taking hardwood cuttings from well-ripened wood of the current year.

best time to take honeysuckle cuttings, preparing honeysuckle cuttings

Healthy semi-hardwood shoot

Required materials

a pair of secateurs
a terracotta pot (preferably)
a cloche, a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, a bag, or a mini greenhouse
seed and potting compost
river sand
clay pebbles
a pencil
a rooting hormone (optional)
a spray bottle

How to take semi-hardwood Honeysuckle cuttings?

Prepare the pot

Do this from August to September. Place a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot, then fill it with seed and potting compost. A mix of universal compost and sand also works well. Use a pencil to make a hole in the substrate, then water it.

Take the semi-ripe cutting

First, choose a healthy shoot from the current year, firm at the base and flexible at the tip;
Cut this shoot to use as a cutting;
Shorten it to about 10-15 cm using sharp, sterilised secateurs: make a diagonal cut at the base of the stem just below a node (where leaves attach) and cut the other end of the stem just above a node, leaving 1 cm of stem.
Remove the lower leaves by cutting them close to the stem. Keep only the upper leaves, cutting them in half with secateurs.

honeysuckle shoot for cuttings

Root the cutting under cover

To encourage rooting, you can optionally dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone powder.

Insert your cutting into the hole previously made in the substrate, burying it about two-thirds of its length;
Firm the soil gently to ensure good contact between the cutting and the compost, then water lightly;
Place your pot under a cover: cloche, mini greenhouse, plastic bottle, or a bag held upright with sticks inserted into the compost. The plant should not touch the sides, as this may cause rotting;
Place the pot outdoors, in partial shade and sheltered from wind;
Remove the cover after three weeks;
Mist occasionally, without overwatering, until early autumn;
During winter, leave the pot outside, still sheltered from wind and frost.

how to propagate honeysuckle, semi-hardwood honeysuckle cuttings

Honeysuckle cutting under cover

How to take autumn Honeysuckle cuttings?

Also known as hardwood cuttings, this technique is practised from autumn to early winter, avoiding frost periods. The cuttings are usually placed directly in the ground, preferably near a north-facing wall. However, this method can also be done in a large tray covered with a cold frame. Deciduous species will have few or no leaves at this time.

In the ground:

Prepare your trench:

Dig a trench about 12-15 cm deep with sloping sides to form a V-shape.
Spread a layer of river sand or seed compost at the bottom.
Mix sand with the soil removed from the trench.

Take the hardwood cutting:

Select a healthy, vigorous shoot from the current year, about 30 cm long and as thick as a pencil.
Cut the shoot into sections about 15 cm long: make a diagonal cut at the base just below a node and the other end just above a node.
For evergreen species, remove the lower leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the shoot and cut the remaining upper leaves in half.
Moisten the base of the cutting and dip it in rooting hormone.
Prepare several cuttings to increase your chances of success.

Plant your hardwood cuttings:

Place your cuttings at an angle against the sides of the trench, facing the wall, spacing them 15 cm apart.
Bury them about two-thirds of their length using the prepared substrate.
You can also group cuttings in bundles of five to save space.
Firm the soil gently, water, and label your cuttings.
Add mulch and leave them in place over winter.

Under a cold frame:

Follow the same steps for taking cuttings. However, they will be placed in a large tray or deep pots. Insert the cuttings individually, spaced about 10 cm apart and near the edge of the pot or tray. Cover with a cold frame.

Watch Olivier's video explaining everything about Hardwood cuttings

When to transplant Honeysuckle?

Transplanting can be done the following spring, in April-May. The presence of buds and small leaves on the cuttings is a sign of successful rooting. You can then carefully remove the cuttings that have developed small roots.

Transplant the hardwood cuttings into pots and the semi-hardwood cuttings into larger pots. Always place your pots against a sheltered wall and water them regularly to keep the substrate moist.

The Honeysuckle cuttings can be planted in their final location in the ground in autumn. Water them when planting and regularly during the first year.