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Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that absorbs nutrients

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth. and water from a host tree, but also produces its own food through photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food, harnessing the energy in sunlight to fuse water (absorbed from the soil) and carbon dioxide (absorbed from the air) to create simple sugars. . Small infestations do little harm, but large colonies can significantly weaken host trees.

The most common host in the UK is apple, but lime, hawthorn and poplar are also frequent hosts. Mistletoe is widespread, but scattered, in England, with a stronghold in the south-west midlands and the southern Welsh borders. It is rare in the rest of Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Berries are naturally spread from one tree to another by birds, especially thrushes and blackcaps, though many plants were probably started by gardeners or fruit growers – sixty percent of mistletoe colonies occur in gardens or orchards.

Mistletoe is popular at Christmas, and established plants

Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers. can be safely cut back quite hard to provide branches for decoration. Do be aware, however, that you would need to gain the landowners permission before gathering any. Mistletoe contains toxic compounds, so it’s safest to wear gloves when handling it, and to keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Most mistletoe on sale comes either from the UK or elsewhere in Europe. Look for plants that are freshly gathered (if necessary, ask when it was harvested), with fresh green foliage and ripe white berries that are plump and not withered.

Mistletoe will keep for two to three weeks after gathering if it is kept in a cool place such as a shed or garage. If you intend to ‘sow’ the berries later, keep branches in the light or the seeds will die.

If you have a suitable host tree it is simple to ‘sow’ mistletoe seed, but it is very slow growing at first, and likely to take up to seven years before fruiting. Both male and female plants are needed to produce berries.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Choose ripe berries. Use mistletoe berries when they’re soft and squishy, typically in late winter to early spring (February to March). Avoid hard or immature berries – those from Christmas decorations are often unripe.
2. Select a suitable host tree. Apple, including crab apple, lime and poplar are ideal hosts, but mistletoe can grow on many species. You don’t need to match the tree to the species the berry came from. Avoid using very young or unhealthy trees.
3. Extract the seed. Gently squeeze the berry to release the sticky seed. Discard any crushed or dried-out berries.
4. Pick the right branch. Choose a smooth thin branch, about the thickness of a pencil or your forefinger. Avoid thick, rough or damaged branches.
5. Ensure good light. Mistletoe seeds are green and photosynthetically active. Place them in well-lit areas, avoiding heavily shaded branches, to help them establish.
6. Apply the seed. Do not cut the bark
   Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. or create flaps. Simply wipe the seed onto the underside of the branch, where dew collects naturally. Do not cover the seed, but label the branch so you know where to check for signs of growth.
7. Sow multiple seeds. Ripe seed should germinate well, but the slow-growing seedlings
   A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. are very vulnerable so plant several at each site to increase your chances. Both male and female plants are needed for berries to form.
8. Be patient. Germination
   Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. can take months, and at first only a tiny shoot appears, which curls over and penetrates the bark of the host. Leaves may not appear for two or three years, and flowers – which are yellow-green, tiny and open in early spring – need two or three years more.

Mistletoe is generally free of pests and diseases.

If your propagated mistletoe produces flowers but no berries it is either a male plant, or a female with no males within insect-pollinating distance. Where this appears to be the case, try putting more seeds on the branches to see if you can even out the balance between male and female plants.