Bridal Wreath Cuttings

June 19 2026, 6 min reading time

The Deutzia, botanically known as Deutzia, is a popular garden plant in many Dutch and Belgian borders. This hardy shrub is known for its rich blooming with white or pink flowers in late spring. If you already have one in your garden and want to propagate it, you don't need to buy new plants. Propagating this ornamental plant via cuttings is a simple and effective method to grow your own new plants. In this blog, we explain step-by-step how to take cuttings from the Deutzia.

Can I take cuttings from a Deutzia?

Yes, the Deutzia is very easy to propagate from cuttings. It is one of the most successful ways to multiply this shrub. Both experienced gardeners and beginners can basically get started with this right away.

The advantage of cuttings over sowing seeds is that a cutting is an exact copy of the parent plant. You therefore retain the specific characteristics, such as the exact flower color and growth habit. Because the Deutzia is a relatively fast grower, the cuttings quickly develop an independent root system and grow into full-fledged garden plants in a short time.

When to take Deutzia cuttings?

You can take cuttings from the Deutzia at two different times of the year. The method differs per season:

1. Summer cuttings (June to August)

This is the most common method. In early summer, the plant produces new shoots. For cuttings, use semi-hardwood shoots: branches from this season that are already becoming slightly firmer at the base but are still green at the tip. These cuttings generally root quickly, usually within three to five weeks.

2. Winter cuttings or hardwood cuttings (November to February)

When the shrub has lost its leaves in late autumn and is dormant, you can take hardwood cuttings. For this, use fully hardened, straight branches from the past growing season. Hardwood cuttings take longer to root and only sprout in the spring, but they require hardly any attention during the winter.

How can I propagate a Deutzia?

Propagating the Deutzia via a summer cutting gives the greatest chance of rapid rooting. Follow the step-by-step plan below:

Disinfect tools: Always use sharp, clean pruning shears or a sharp knife. This prevents diseases or fungi from entering the pruning wound of the parent plant or the cutting.
Select cuttings: Choose healthy, young shoots from the current season that are not flowering. A suitable stem is about as thick as a pencil.
Cut to size: Cut a piece about 10 to 15 centimeters long. Make the bottom cut slanted just below a leaf node (the thickening where the leaf attaches to the stem). Cut the top straight, just above a leaf node.
Remove leaves: Remove the lower leaves from the stem. Leave only the top two to four leaves. If these leaves are very large, you can halve them. This reduces moisture evaporation, as the cutting does not yet have roots to absorb water.
Plant and cover: Optionally dip the bottom of the stem in rooting powder to stimulate root growth and prevent fungi. Plant the cutting about halfway into a pot filled with a mixture of potting soil and sharp sand. Press the soil down lightly and moisten it.
Maintain humidity: Place a transparent plastic bag over the pot or place it in a small propagator. Place the cutting in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight to prevent burning and dehydration.

Caring for Deutzia Cuttings

After planting, the cuttings need proper aftercare to grow into a healthy shrub:

Moisture balance: Keep the soil consistently slightly moist. Ensure the soil does not become waterlogged, as this will cause the stems to rot. Air out the propagator or plastic bag for fifteen minutes every few days to prevent mold growth.
Check for rooting: After about a month, you can check if the cutting has rooted. You will notice this when new leaves appear at the top, or when you feel slight resistance if you very gently pull on the cutting.
Hardening off and repotting: Once the cuttings are well-rooted, the plastic can be removed permanently. Let the plants gradually get used to the outdoor air (hardening off) in a sheltered spot. As they grow larger, you can repot them into a larger pot with regular potting soil.
Plant in the garden: The following spring (April or May), when the risk of severe night frost has passed, the young Deutzias can be planted in the open ground of the garden.

Are you curious about the best location for your newly planted shrub, how to prune it after flowering, or what nutrients it needs? Taking Deutzia cuttings does not end with rooting alone. Read more in our extensive care blog: Deutzia Care, for more tips on caring for this plant.

Do I need rooting powder for propagating the Deutzia?

You do not necessarily need rooting powder to successfully propagate the Deutzia, as it is naturally an easy rooter. However, we do recommend it, especially for summer cuttings. Rooting powder contains growth hormones that ensure the cutting roots faster and more evenly. In addition, it often contains a fungicide that protects the open pruning wound against rotting in moist soil.

Don't have rooting powder at home? Then take extra care to ensure the correct moisture balance so the stem doesn't rot before roots emerge. For more information on the ideal soil type and the general needs of the plant, it is best to check our general Deutzia care blog.

Can you take Deutzia cuttings in water?

Yes, you can also take Deutzia cuttings in water, although the chance of success with this shrub is greater in soil. If you want to take cuttings in water, take a young, green shoot in the summer and place it in a glass with a small layer of water in a bright spot (out of direct sunlight). As soon as a compact root system of a few centimeters has formed, you must very carefully repot the cutting into potting soil.

Keep in mind that 'water roots' are very fragile and sometimes find the transition to soil difficult. Do you want to know how to best support these young plants afterwards with the right nutrients, watering, and the perfect location? Then read our Deutzia care blog for more tips on caring for this plant.