How to Root Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon, sometimes called althea, is a blooming, deciduous hibiscus shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall. With its shiny, dark leaves and single or double blooms (about 3 inches across) in white, shades of purple, shades of pink, or shades of blue, rose of Sharon is a striking and easy-to-care for plant. Fortunately, it is easy to propagate, too. In fact, growing rose of Sharon from a root cutting is so easy, even a beginning gardener can do it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pruning shears
- Sealable, clear plastic bag
- Pot
- Coarse river sand or peat and perlite
- Rooting hormone
Instructions
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Select new growth in June or July. Using clean pruning shears, cut off lengths of about 4 inches, cutting just below a leaf. Cuttings are best taken in the morning, before the plant gets dry or hot.
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Remove all the leaves but the top two or three, using pruning shears.
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Spray one or two squirts of water into a clear, sealable plastic bag.
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Place the cutting in the plastic bag and seal it shut. This helps keep the cutting moist while you move through the next few steps.
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Wash a pot in hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
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Place coarse river sand, or a mixture of one part peat and one part perlite, in the pot. Wet it down well.
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Remove the cutting from the plastic bag and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Shake gently to remove any excess.
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Stick the end of the cutting in the pot.
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Cover the cutting with the plastic bag; do not seal the bag. Place the cutting in the shade.
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Remove the plastic bag little by little and move the plant closer to sunlight over the course of about a week. At the end of the week, the cutting should no longer be covered and should be in full sun.
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Check the cutting to see if it's rooted by gently tugging on it. Roots appear within two months.
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Repot the cutting once it is rooted, using nutrient-rich, new potting soil. After the rose of Sharon's first year, transplant directly into your garden's soil.
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Tips & Warnings
Rose of Sharon is quite durable and will grow in most soil types. However, it prefers well-draining, rich soil. Mix organic compost into the soil before planting a new plant.
If you continue to add organic compost two or three times a year (typically in the early spring, mid-summer and before the first threat of frost), you won't need to fertilize the plant.
