In areas that have cold winters, lilacs are adored for their scented and vibrant blossoms during spring. These flowers are available in hues of purple, violet, white, pink, blue, magenta and, of course, lilac.

If you want to plant more lilacs, you can start by growing them from cuttings. The entire process of propagating lilacs at home is explained in brief below.

How to take lilac cuttings

Growing lilacs from cuttings is a bit challenging but doable. Cuttings should be taken from new growth in late spring or early summer since older growth roots less easily. Take several cuttings to improve your chances.

Cuttings should be taken in the morning when it’s cool and the plant is well-watered. Cut pieces that are 4 to 6 inches long from the tender, new growth.

Remove the bottom leaves from the cuttings, leaving two or three leaves at the top. Roots will eventually grow from the nodes where the leaves were.

Prepare a pot with a mix of potting soil, sand, and perlite, and lightly moisten it. Make a small hole in the soil with a stick or your finger.

Dip the cut end of the cutting in the rooting hormone and place it in the hole. Press the soil gently around the cutting to keep it upright.

You can plant several cuttings in one pot if their leaves don’t touch. Alternatively, use caged nursery trays. Place the pot in a warm spot, like on top of a refrigerator.

How to grow lilac cuttings

Ensure that the cuttings are not exposed to bright light throughout this period. Water the cuttings daily; ensuring that the potting mix is slightly wet but not soggy. To create humidity, you can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag.

However, remember to occasionally open the bag or perforate a few holes in it for air circulation. Without sufficient aeration, these cuttings can rot. 
Observe the cuttings closely for signs of rooting, which usually takes between one and two months and is accompanied by new growth. Once they are rooted, move the pot to a well-lit area where it doesn’t have direct sunlight.

Allow the soil in the pots to dry out slightly before watering them again. When lilacs have formed a strong root system, transfer them to their permanent outdoor site, where they can continue growing up.

Some outdoor planting considerations

When lilacs are being prepared for planting outside, the right choice of location is key to their long-term sustainability. Go for a garden space that gets full sun to partial shade because they do well in such conditions, especially in hotter regions with a little shade in the afternoons.

The need for water drainage should be taken into consideration. Otherwise, water logging may cause the lilac roots to rot.

Lilacs ideally favor slightly rich, alkaline soil. It would be advisable to add compost or other organic matter to the soil before setting it up so as to improve its quality and make it more fertile. This will provide an ideal basis for successful development.

While planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball so as to allow easy spreading of the roots, which in turn will encourage better growth. Similarly, plant it at the same depth as it was in its pot, ensuring that adequate root cover is provided by deeply burying the stems.

After planting, you have to firm the soil around the base to remove air pockets. Then, water thoroughly to settle the soil and promote initial root hydration.

Maintain consistent moisture levels throughout the first growing season. Pay extra attention when there are some hot, dry periods. This can be done by mulching around the plant base.

Tips to maintain and protect lilacs

It is essential to water newly planted lilacs regularly for the first 12 months of growth in order to develop a well-established root system. The moisture allows the plant to adjust to its new environment and grow properly.

Nevertheless, see to it that the soil is damp but not soaked, since lilacs can’t stand standing water. Applying a layer of mulch helps keep the soil moist, suppresses weeds, and helps control soil temperature. Organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, works well in this case.

It’s important to prune your lilacs immediately after flowering so that they grow vigorously and remain shaped. Cut off all dead flowers, as well as any weak or dead branches that may inhibit air circulation through the plant.

This also encourages strong flowering branches in spring by allowing increased energy flow from producing seeds rather than supporting weak spring shoots, which produce few, if any, flowers at all.

When you see the initial signs of infestation, use specific soap for insects or neem oil for aphids. Inspecting your lilacs frequently allows you to address these problems quickly, preventing them from infecting other plants and keeping your lilacs healthy and lively.

How do you take care of lilacs in the long term?

Lilacs are relatively low-maintenance and can make a delightful addition to any garden. Though durable, a few simple care practices can enhance their growth and ensure they produce abundant blooms year after year.

Occasional fertilizing is beneficial to lilacs, especially during early spring. Make use of a balanced fertilizer or one that has a high phosphorus content so as to promote flowering.

Follow the package instructions on how to apply it, but ensure that it spreads evenly around the base of the plant without falling directly onto the stems. This helps provide the necessary nutrients for robust growth and prolific blooming.

The other critical long-term aspect of caring for lilacs is regular pruning. Lilacs should be pruned after the flowering period, which is normally late spring or early summer. This should be done to remove any dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches.

Apart from maintaining the shape of the plant and improving air circulation, it also stimulates new growth. This results in more vigorous blooms during the subsequent season.

Avoid heavy pruning because lilacs bloom on old wood where excessive cutting may reduce flower numbers.