How to Start a Butterfly Bush in a Container
Butterfly bushes are plants that any gardener can grow; they are hardy, easy to take care of and attract beneficial insects like butterflies and bees to the garden, which helps to keep it healthy. Starting a butterfly bush in a container is a simple way to control the initial growing conditions of the plant and help ensure that it gets a good start on its growth. Transplanting a butterfly bush from a pot to the garden later will make sure that the plant grows well in the garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Planter
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer
- Spray bottle
- Butterfly bush cutting
- Scissors
- Rooting powder
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a plastic or ceramic planter that is at least 1 foot diameter to give the butterfly bush enough room to put out roots and begin growing.
-
2
Fill the planter with potting soil and add a balanced fertilizer to the soil to help make it healthier for the butterfly bush to grow. Mix the soil and fertilizer together.
-
-
3
Spray the surface of the potting soil with water to moisten it for planting the butterfly bush cutting. The soil should be damp to the touch, but not wet, as this can drown the young plant.
-
4
Trim the cutting of the butterfly bush so it is about 4 inches long. Cut the bottom of the stem just underneath a leaf node, where leaves normally grow. Remove any leaves from the bottom portion of the stem.
-
5
Dip the end of the stem in a rooting powder to help provide the plant with hormones that will cause it to grow roots. Dig a small hole in the potting soil with your finger or the end of a pencil and put the stem into the hole.
-
6
Leave 2 to 3 inches of the stem exposed. Pat the potting soil around the end of the butterfly bush stem to keep it standing upright. Spray the soil with a small amount of water.
-
7
Place the pot in an area where it is protected from excessive wind or rain, but will receive regular sunshine. The planter can be kept indoors if desired. Water the plant daily with a spray bottle. Do not over-water the plant.
-
8
Keep the butterfly bush in its planter until it has grown there for a full growing season. Plant the butterfly bush outdoors in the spring for best results.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit butterfly bush image by palms from Fotolia.com
