The medicinal properties of elderberries are incredibly valuable. The flowers can be infused to make tea and other herbal products, and the ripe berries can be used for homemade elderberry syrup, baking, cooking, or winemaking.
Growing elderberries is actually pretty easy, and once you have a plant or two, you can multiply your berry patch simply by taking cuttings from your plants and propagating them!
There are several methods for taking cuttings from elderberries, but this article describes the process of using hardwood cuttings to propagate during the winter or early spring.
How to Propagate Elderberries
Step 1: Cut the Shoots of Elderberry Plants
While your elderberry plant is still dormant, it’s time to start propagating. Look for shoots that extend from the main base of the plant, about the width of a finger.
Anything smaller should be left to grow for another year or two. Cut the shoot at an angle as close to the ground as possible.
Step 2: Create Sections from the Cuttings
To propagate each elderberry plant, you’ll need a cutting with two nodes—one towards the bottom and one towards the top.
Make sure to note the orientation of the cutting to keep track of which end is “up.” Angle the bottom cut and keep the top cut straight. Typically, you can get 4-6 sections from each shoot.
Step 3: Store the Cuttings (optional)
If you are not going to be planting your cuttings right away, keep them in a cool, moist place until you are ready. A sealed plastic bag with moisture out of direct sunlight will work.
Step 4: Plant your Cuttings
To plant your cuttings in a pot, fill a medium-sized container (we use empty quart-sized yogurt containers with holes drilled in the bottom) about 2/3 full with potting soil enriched with compost if you have it. Bury the bottom “node” (buds) of your cutting about 2 inches below the soil.
