How Do You Grow Mistletoe on a Tree

The mistletoe will need to be moved to a host plant to grow on, but rooting can be sporadic. Ideally, you should just push the seeds into a host plant’s bark and spritz them daily with water to keep them moist. Germination may take several months depending on the light, moisture and temperature conditions.

Can you grow mistletoe on any tree?

Mistletoe won’t grow on all tree species. The main hosts are apple, hawthorn, lime and poplar, although maples, willows, plums and rowans may also be suitable. In fact, most trees and shrubs of the rose family (Rosaceae) may be suitable.

How does mistletoe get started in a tree?

How does it get up in trees to begin with? Mistletoe reproduces by seeds, just like any other plant, but has evolved special adaptations to keep its seeds from falling to the ground, where they would be unable to sprout and develop into a mature plant.