Garden Help
Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests


Get Gardening Help!

Home > Projects >

How to Propagate Mistletoe


You will need: Knife, Mistletoe Berries, Suitable Tree

If you have not thrown your mistletoe away, try growing your own! This partial parasite grows on plants like apple, hawthorn and poplar. Use fresh, plump berries in March.

Best time to do it:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Step 1

Step 1 of How to Propagate Mistletoe

Start by cutting a flap in the bark under a branch lifting it up.

Step 2

Step 2 of How to Propagate Mistletoe

Insert (squish) the mistletoe berries into the wound.

Step 3

Step 3 of How to Propagate Mistletoe

Be gentle and make sure not to break off the flap.

Step 4

Step 4 of How to Propagate Mistletoe

Germinating seeds cause a swelling around the wound and small leaves will appear by the autumn. The success rate is variable, so use 4-5 seeds to improve the odds. It takes around 5 years for the female mistletoe to grow large enough to flower and produce berries.

Related FAQs


Ask a gardening question:




Latest Gardening News



Latest Gardening & Horticultural Careers


Explore Gardens from Around the World


Ritsurin Garden
Takamatsu, Japan

Longwood Gardens
Pennsylvania, USA

Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai, United Arab Emirates



Watch a Video!

How do I summer prune fruit trees?
How do I summer prune fruit trees?
5 Essential Spring Bulb Tips in 1 minute
5 Essential Spring Bulb Tips in 1 minute
Potting Cacti
Potting Cacti
How do I prune lavender?
How do I prune lavender?
Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley
Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley
How do I protect my grapes from insects?
How do I protect my grapes from insects?