How to Grow Mistletoe

Some say mistletoe is just a plant they need to get rid of because it is a nuisance and a parasite. At Christmas time everyone wants mistletoe to kiss under. Mistletoe has been associated with hospitality and fellowship for centuries. It was also known as the "all heal" plant. If you want to grow your own mistletoe it takes a year before leaves show up, but then it grows fast. Mistletoe will sprout without passing through the stomachs of birds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Mistletoe with fresh berries
• Knife
• New tree branch

1. Gather some wild mistletoe with the berries attached. You can find it on oaks, hackberries and other trees in the wild.
2. Scrape the bottom of a branch or make a small cut in the bark where you want the mistletoe to grow.
3. Squeeze the fresh berries and put the sticky seeds inside the scraped area. Push several more seeds into the cracks of the bark around the scraped area.
4. Next year kiss under your own mistletoe.

Tips & Warnings

• Mistletoe is a parasite and hard to remove once it is started, so be sure you want to grow it.
• Mistletoe may be toxic!

Who Can Help:

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