Growing new mountain laurels can be done by a couple of accepted methods: by seed and by cuttings. It would be less time consuming to buy a new shrub from your nursery to add additional pretty, flowering mountain laurels, but propagating from plants in your yard is cheaper and more rewarding.
How to Propagate a Mountain Laurel by Seed
Mountain laurel propagation by seed is not too difficult, but it does require time and patience. You will want to collect seeds in the fall to early winter to start them germinating in the winter and spring. After a few months, you’ll have seedlings, but these won’t be ready to go outside until the following spring. The seeds of mountain laurel are small and can be found inside five-chambered capsules that open naturally in the winter. They germinate better if cold treated first, so keep them in soil in pots outdoors for the winter in a sheltered area. Or wrap them in sealed plastic and keep in the refrigerator for about three months. After cold treating, sow the seeds in pots indoors with just a light covering of soil. Mist regularly and keep them warm, at about 74 degrees F. (23 C.). Care for your strongest seedlings indoors for the next several months and plant outdoors after the last frost in spring.
How to Propagate a Mountain Laurel by Cuttings
Propagating mountain laurel shrubs by cuttings requires a little more extra help in the form of rooting hormones. Take cuttings from growth from the current year—about 6 inches (15 cm.) is good enough—and remove leaves at the bottom. Slice the base of your cuttings twice to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) to promote an even root system. Place the cuttings in warm water until you are ready to plant them. Dip the ends of the cuttings in a rooting hormone—indole butyric acid is a good choice—and then set in pots of soil. Keep the cuttings warm and moist until the roots begin to form. Keep in mind that it can take up to six months for full rooting to occur with mountain laurel. Once the roots are well established, you can plant it outdoors in the spring after the risk of frost has passed.
-
Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own BackyardIn addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
-
Should You Cut Back Roses In The Fall? – When To Prune Your Prized Shrubs For WinterDiscover whether to cut back roses before the onset of winter – or to leave plants alone until spring.
-
Potted Mountain Laurel Care – Learn About Container Grown Mountain LaurelsMountain laurel shrubs are usually used as landscape plants, and can often be seen blooming in dappled shade under trees and taller shrubs. But can you grow mountain laurel in a pot? Click here to learn more about caring for mountain laurel in containers.
-
Mountain Laurel Leaves Are Browning – Why Are Mountain Laurel Leaves Turning BrownMountain laurel usually remains green year round, so brown leaves on mountain laurels can be a sign of trouble. Determining the reason for brown mountain laurel leaves can be challenging and involves careful detective work. The following information may help.
-
Mountain Laurel Trimming Tips: How To Prune Mountain Laurel BushesGrowing to a general height and width of five to eight feet (1.5 to 2 m.), cutting back mountain laurels may occasionally be necessary to fit the space they are in. To learn how to prune mountain laurel shrubs, click on this article for more information.
-
Cuttings From Mountain Laurel Shrubs: How To Root Mountain Laurel CuttingsMountain laurels grow happily reproduce from seeds, but these won’t reliably reproduce hybrid cultivars. The only way to be sure of clones is with cutting propagation. Growing cuttings from mountain laurel is possible, but not always easy. Learn more here.
-
Mountain Laurel Losing Leaves – What Causes Leaf Drop On Mountain LaurelsPlants lose leaves for a variety of reasons. In the case of mountain laurel leaf drop, fungal, environmental and cultural issues may be the cause. Figuring out which is the hard part but, once you do, most fixes are fairly easy. This article can help.
-
Mountain Laurel Irrigation: How To Water A Mountain Laurel ShrubA sometimes overlooked North American native, mountain laurel is a very hardy, shade tolerant shrub that produces beautiful, showy flowers where many other plants will not. Learn more about mountain laurel water needs in this article.
-
Diseases Of Mountain Laurel Bushes: What’s Wrong With My Mountain LaurelIf your mountain laurel has leaf spots or chlorotic foliage, you may be wondering, “Is my mountain laurel sick.” Like all plants, mountain laurels have their share of diseases. It is important to learn the signs of these diseases in order to treat them. This article will help.
-
Mountain Laurel Cold Hardiness: How To Care For Mountain Laurels In WinterMountain laurels do not require coddling in your garden. However, if you live in an area with harsh weather, you may want to consider winter protection for mountain laurels. If you are wondering how to care for mountain laurels in winter, this article will help.
