Hello,

I can sense the urgency and the deep emotional connection you have with Lilac. I can certainly offer guidance to help you give Lilac the best chance at recovery.

Propagating Lilacs. Lilacs can be propagated from root sprouts, by layering, cuttings, and by cleft and bud grafts. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of time and degree of difficulty. The easiest methods for the home gardener are root sprouts and layering, using a named variety.

Root sprouts. Root sprouts provide the simplest and most usual way of propagating the common lilac. Some lilacs send out suckers near the base of the plant. Dig up these new sprouts in the fall and transplant them elsewhere in the garden or a nursery. They often develop into satisfactory plants in about 3 years. This method, however, will not be satisfactory for grafted plants, because the suckers will not be like the tops of the plants. Look for a graft union near the soil line to determine if a plant is grafted.

Here’s what you can do:

Propagation Site: You can propagate in pots, a raised bed, or directly in a sunny spot in your yard. Ensure the location has good drainage and receives plenty of sunlight.

Rooting Hormone: Using a rooting hormone can increase the chances of successful propagation. Apply it to the cut ends of the roots before planting.

Planting the Roots: Plant the whole root pieces under the soil. If you have larger sections with capillary-type root balls, you can plant them horizontally with the root balls slightly exposed.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Proper watering is crucial for the roots to establish.

Patience: Propagation from roots can take time, and it may be a while before you see new growth. Keep caring for the roots as you have been and monitor their progress.

Your efforts to save Lilac are commendable, and I hope these steps will help you nurture her back to health. Remember, plants can be incredibly resilient, and with your dedication, Lilac has a fighting chance. Keep the faith and give Lilac the love and care she needs during this time. 

I hope this helps!

Thank you for your quick response, kindness, and knowledge! Your response is very helpful. 

I plan to propagate the many lilac roots in a raised bed and pots so I can easily monitor over the long term. I will purchase soil. What soil do you recommend?

Secondly, there are few log-sized pieces of stump/trunk that also have capillary-like root sprouts or root balls. Should I do similar planting with these by planting the wood under soil with the root sprouts just at the soil’s surface? or should the root sprouts be fully under soil but the wood exposed?

Hello Again,

Propagating lilac roots is a wonderful way to expand your garden and preserve the beauty of these plants. Here’s some guidance based on your questions:

Soil Recommendation: For lilacs, it’s important to use well-draining soil that’s rich in nutrients. A mix that includes peat, vermiculite, and perlite can provide optimal root growth1. Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. If you’re using containers, a mixture of roughly 10% compost, 50% potting mix, and 40% garden soil with a pH balance of 6.5 to 7.0 is recommended. When you purchase the soil, make sure that package has the pH balance stated on the package. The pH balance is important to know. It should have it on the package. If it doesn't you should really test that soil. Details on soil testing are at this link: Get Started | MSU Soil Test

Planting Root Sprouts: When dealing with log-sized pieces of stump/trunk with root sprouts, you should plant the wood under the soil with the root sprouts just at the soil’s surface. This allows the sprouts to access sunlight and air while the wood remains protected, which can encourage growth.

Remember to choose a sunny location for your raised bed and pots, as lilacs thrive with plenty of sunlight. Good luck with your propagation project!

I hope this helps!