How to Propagate Elderberries from Cuttings

06.06.2023 - 21:33 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren

With its highly sought after berries and incomparably fragrant blossoms, elderberries are worth growing in the garden.

Sure, you can buy elderberry plants. But it’s so easy to propagate them from cuttings that there’s no reason not to give it a go.

Incidentally, if you’re new to rooting cuttings taken from trees and shrubs, then you’ve picked the right plant to start with. Elderberry is one of the most reliable plants I have ever propagated this way. 

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On top of that, you have lots of options. You can take either hardwood or softwood cuttings, and propagate them in water, a soilless potting medium, or soil in the ground. 

If you want, you can forage a plant to take cuttings from. Elderberries grow wild in North and South America, Europe, and Asia, so lots of people may have the opportunity to find one in their neck of the woods.

Alternatively, select branches from a mature cultivated plant in a generous neighbor’s yard, or create new plants from one you’re already growing.

If you have a plant that you particularly love – maybe it produces abundantly, or has large berries – I highly recommend propagating it this way.

Ready to get started? Here’s what we’ll go over:

Before you head out to the garden, you’ll need to gather a few supplies.

First, you need a sharp pair of clippers. Clean them with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. This helps to prevent the spread of disease. 

If you plan to root them in water, you’ll need several jars to hold the cuttings while they root. Quart or pint-sized Mason jars work great. 

You’ll need