Propagating phlox by seeds, cuttings & more
If you want to turn your garden into a flowering paradise, you should reach for phlox: let us show you all about propagating phlox through cuttings and more.
Those who fall into a collecting frenzy at the sight of the phlox can indulge in it entirely without a guilty conscience. Indeed, phlox (Phlox) not only simply looks good, but it is also easy to propagate.
Are you drawn to phlox when visiting botanical gardens? No problem, why not take a few seeds home with you in autumn? What about the beautiful phlox in your friend’s rock garden? Maybe you can get an offshoot. Beautiful phlox does not have to cost much, in fact, there are a number of options for propagation.
Propagating phlox by sowing
Phlox blooms profusely and for a long time and accordingly produces many seeds. Most often it self-seeds in autumn, so that old plants are automatically replaced by younger phlox. However, you can also harvest the ripe seeds in autumn. Since phlox seeds need a cold period to germinate, you can sow the seeds directly into the ground in autumn. If you plan to grow the plants in advance or sow them in the spring, you can store the seeds in a cool place in the refrigerator for at least four weeks beforehand. Plants from self-collected seeds often have the most diverse colours. This brings a wonderfully wide variety to your garden. If you prefer to have a specific colour, you can either purchase seeds or propagate adult plants by cuttings or division.
Propagating phlox by cuttings
Phlox is easily propagated by cuttings. Cut off a beautiful shoot in the spring before flowering. The cutting should be about 15 centimetres in length. For small phlox species, cuttings with a length of 5-10 centimetres will also do. Remove the lower leaves and put the shoot in potting soil mixed with sand. You should place the pot with the cuttings in a warm and bright place and keep the soil moist at all times.
- Perfect for herbs as well as sowing, propagating & transplanting
- For aromatic herbs & healthy seedlings with strong roots
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Tip: Upward creeping phlox species can also be planted directly in the garden. Take several cuttings together and plant them in clumps for more luxuriant growth.
Alternatively, creeping phlox species lend themselves particularly well to propagation of their roots. You can dig up the plant after flowering and cut off about five centimetre-long, fleshy pieces of root. Place them horizontally into a pot and bury a few centimetres deep.
Propagating phlox by division
Autumn, winter or early spring are best suited to propagation by division. Then the metabolism is reduced and only the root of the garden phlox is left. Dig up the phlox and divide it into two or three parts with a sharp spade.
After that, you can plant the phlox directly. We have compiled more on this topic for you here.
