How to Propagate Aaron’s Beard Plant The Right Way

Aaron’s beard plant, also known as Hypericum calycinum, is a popular flowering groundcover that produces beautiful yellow blooms With its cascading habit, Aaron’s beard is excellent for rock gardens, borders, and as an attractive green backdrop for other plants

Propagating aaron’s beard is quite easy to do at home. This low-maintenance plant can be propagated from both seeds and stem cuttings. Read on to learn the step-by-step process for propagating aaron’s beard the right way.

Propagating Aaron’s Beard from Seeds

Propagating aaron’s beard from seeds is a simple, cost-effective way to produce new plants. Here is a step-by-step guide

Step 1: Collect the Seeds

• Aaron’s beard produces delicate capsules that contain tiny black seeds. The seed capsules appear after the flowers finish blooming.

• Monitor the plants daily and collect the capsules as soon as they begin to split open. If left too long, the seeds will disperse on their own.

• Place the harvested capsules in a paper bag and store in a dry, well-ventilated area for about a week. This allows the capsules to fully dry and split open further for easy seed extraction.

Step 2. Extract and Clean the Seeds

• Lay out the open capsules on a sheet of paper. Crush them lightly with your fingers to release the seeds.

• Transfer the seeds to a fine mesh sieve and gently rub them between your fingers to remove any remaining flower debris or chaff.

Step 3. Stratify the Seeds

• Aaron’s beard seeds need a period of moist stratification before they will germinate.

• Place the cleaned seeds between two damp paper towels. Put the paper towels in a sealed plastic bag or container.

• Stratify the seeds in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. Check periodically to make sure the paper towels remain moist.

Step 4. Sow the Seeds

• Fill starter pots or flats with a well-draining seed starting mix. Water thoroughly and allow excess water to drain.

• Sprinkle the stratified seeds lightly over the soil surface. Do not cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate.

• Cover the containers with plastic wrap or place in a large plastic bag. This creates a greenhouse environment for germination.

• Place the seeded containers in bright indirect light at 65-70°F. Remove the plastic once seedlings begin to emerge in 10-21 days.

• Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once the second set of true leaves appears. Grow on at 60-75°F in bright light. Harden off and transplant outdoors after last frost.

Propagating Aaron’s Beard by Stem Cuttings

Taking stem cuttings is another effective way to propagate new aaron’s beard plants. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Take 3-4 Inch Stem Cuttings

• Select healthy stems on established aaron’s beard plants. Use a clean, sharp knife or pruners to take 3-4 inch long cuttings.

• Make your cut just below a leaf node. Leaves should be intact on the top two nodes. Remove the leaves from the lower node area.

Step 2: Dip in Rooting Hormone

• Dip the lower end of each cutting in a rooting hormone powder. Rooting hormone encourages faster root development.

Step 3: Stick in the Growing Medium

• Stick the lower end of each cutting 2-3 inches deep in a pre-moistened rooting mix.

• Good rooting media includes perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, or a combination of these ingredients.

• Use a clean container such as a cell pack or small pot. Multiple cuttings can be placed in the same container.

Step 4: Provide a Humid Environment

• Place the container of cuttings in a loose plastic bag or cover with a plastic dome. This creates humidity that benefits root formation.

• Place in bright, indirect light away from direct sun. Maintain a temperature around 70°F.

Step 5: Keep Soil Moist and Ventilate

• Check cuttings daily and lightly water as needed to keep the rooting medium evenly moist. Don’t oversaturate.

• Ventilate the cuttings once a week while watering by removing the plastic bag/dome for a few hours.

Step 6: Transplant When Rooted

• Most cuttings will be well rooted in 4-6 weeks. Gently tug on a cutting to check for resistance before transplanting.

• Carefully separate and re-pot the new plants in containers with drainage holes, using a quality potting mix.

• Transition to full sun over a week or two. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.

Caring for Young Aaron’s Beard Plants

Here are some tips for caring for newly propagated aaron’s beard plants:

• Water regularly during the first year until plants become established. Mature plants are quite drought resistant once rooted in.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

• Prune lightly after flowering to shape plants and maintain a tidy form.

• Provide well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Protect from harsh winds.

• Plants may need winter mulch in cold zones. Avoid overly wet soils in winter.

• Watch for aphids, spider mites, scale, and powdery mildew. Treat any issues promptly.

• Propagate established plants every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. Aaron’s beard can spread rapidly.

Common Questions About Propagating Aaron’s Beard

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about propagating this popular plant:

How long does it take aaron’s beard to bloom from seed?

It typically takes 1-2 years for plants grown from seed to become established and begin blooming. Those started from cuttings may flower in the first year if rooted early enough.

What time of year is best for propagating aaron’s beard?

Early summer is ideal for taking stem cuttings. Spring is the best time to stratify stored seeds from the previous season.

Where should I take stem cuttings from?

Select young, healthy stems that do not have flower buds. Take cuttings where the stems are slightly woody at the base but still somewhat green and flexible.

How large do aaron’s beard plants get?

Given optimal growing conditions, aaron’s beard can spread rapidly and reach up to 2 feet tall x 3 feet wide. Pruning helps manage size and maintain a dense, mounding form.

Is aaron’s beard evergreen or deciduous?

Aaron’s beard is a semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial in zones 5-9. Leaves may turn reddish in winter but plants retain foliage year-round in mild climates.

Does aaron’s beard spread aggressively?

Yes, this groundcover tends to spread rapidly once established. Regular division helps restrain overgrowth and maintain vigor. Avoid planting in confined areas.

Propagating your own aaron’s beard plants is an easy and rewarding way to generate vigorous new additions to the garden or share with fellow gardening friends. Follow the tips above to successfully produce plants from seeds or cuttings. With proper care, you’ll enjoy their cheery yellow blooms each summer for years to come.