Root a catalpa cutting after spring growth, with hormone in a drained mix. Use cuttings to clone golden catalpa. Sow seed when you want a species tree.
Softwood cuttings after spring growth
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Late spring into summer, after the first flush firms | Flowering wood, or a midwinter hardwood as the only try |
| Piece | A 4-to-8-inch tip with two leaves left on top | A leafless stick shoved into garden soil |
| Mix | Peat, perlite, and coarse sand, kept barely moist | A water jar, or packed wet compost |
| Clone | Cuttings for ‘Aurea’ gold leaf | Seed when you need that cultivar back |
Extension lists stem cuttings, root cuttings, and seed for southern catalpa. [1] Late summer after the spring flush is a workable home window for northern wood. [2]
Can I grow catalpa from a cutting?
Yes. Take a 4-to-8-inch stem after spring growth, dip it in hormone, and root it in a drained mix under a cover.
How to root a catalpa cutting
Unique foliage and habit come back true from a rooted cutting, not from seed. [3]
- Cut a healthy 4-to-8-inch tip. Strip the lower leaves. Leave at least two at the top.
- Wound the base with two short slits if the stem is firm. Dip in rooting hormone and tap off the extra.
- Stick the lower half in a pot of peat, perlite, and coarse sand. Water until the mix is moist, not soggy.
- Cover with a bag. Keep it in shade around 60 to 70°F until a gentle tug meets resistance, then harden off and overwinter frost-free the first winter.
Cuttings vs seed — when to clone golden catalpa
Soft cuttings or branch cuttings both appear in grow guides. [4] Seed is faster for a nameless species tree. Golden catalpa (‘Aurea’) is a leaf-color clone — take wood from that tree. For pods and untreated seed, see Growing Catalpa from Seed.
If you want the gold leaf back, take wood from Aurea — do not sow a random pod.
FAQ
Can I root a cutting in water?
No. A drained mix is the path. A water jar rots the stem before roots form.
When will a cutting bloom?
After it has a trunk and some age. Do not expect panicles the first summer in the pot.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/catalpa-bignonioides/ - [2] Weekand -
https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/propagate-catalpa-speciosa-18065141.php - [3] HGTV -
https://www.hgtv.com/gardening/trees-and-shrubs/how-to-plant-and-grow-a-catalpa-tree - [4] The Spruce -
https://www.thespruce.com/catalpa-growing-guide-5199828
This note is part of Catalpa Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors