Mulberry trees (Morus spp.) are fast-growing deciduous trees that reach heights of 20 to 60 feet at maturity, depending on the variety. The sweet berries, harvested in late spring or summer, are similar in appearance to blackberries. Mulberries thrive with little maintenance when planted in bright sunlight and well-drained soil. Although mulberry trees are often propagated by seed, propagating the plants by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer is much faster. Although mulberry trees vary slightly in hardiness, most are suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 8.
Fill a container such as a planting tray or a clay or plastic pot with fresh, good quality commercial potting mixture. Make sure the planting container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Add a handful of perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
Water the potting mixture thoroughly. Set the container aside to drain until the potting mixture is evenly moist, but not dripping.
Cut several healthy stems measuring approximately 4 to 6 inches in length. Use a sharp knife or pruners to prevent tearing the plant tissue. Make each cut just above a leaf node, which is where a leaf or bud emerges from the stem.
Remove blooms, buds and leaves from the bottom half of the cut stems. Dip the bottom 1 inch of the cut stems in powdered or liquid rooting hormone.
Create planting holes with a small stick or the dull end of a pencil. Several stems can safely be planted in the same container as long as the leaves don't touch. Plant the mulberry stems in the holes. Pat the soil firmly so the stems stand upright.
Cover the container with clear plastic. If the containers are small enough, cover them with a plastic bag. If necessary, place small sticks in the soil to prevent the plastic from touching the leaves.
Place the container in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid bright sunlight, which may scorch the cuttings.
Check the potting mixture daily. If the mixture begins to feel dry to the touch, mist inside the bag lightly with a spray bottle. If heavy drops of moisture build up on the inside of the plastic, poke a few holes in the plastic to provide ventilation or open the top of the bag for a few hours every day.
Dig up a cutting with an old spoon after three to four weeks. Remove the plastic when the roots are approximately one-half inch long. Allow the young mulberry trees to acclimate to the cooler, drier air for four or five days.
Plant each cutting in an individual 4-inch pot filled with commercial potting soil. Place the pots in indirect sunlight and continue to keep the soil lightly moist. Move the young plants outdoors when the weather warms in spring.
Things You Will Need
- Planting container
- Commercial potting mixture
- Coarse sand or perlite
- Sharp knife or pruners
- Powdered or liquid rooting hormone
- Small stick or pencil
- Clear plastic or plastic bag
- Old spoon
- 4-inch pots
- A softwood cutting is flexible but firm enough to snap when bent.
- White mulberries are easiest to propagate by cuttings. Red and black mulberries are more difficult to propagate.
- Washington State University Extension: Propagating Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs, Trees and Vines with Stem Cuttings
- California Rare Fruit Growers: Mulberry
- Iowa State University Extension: Propagation of Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Cornell University Extension: Mulberries