The Spruce / K. Dave
More than 1,000 species of mistletoe are found growing worldwide.
All of them are parasitic broadleaf evergreens.
You should not grow mistletoe unless you need it for a festive holiday harvest.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Most species of mistletoe have a moderate-to-slow growth rate and will take some time to achieve maturity.
Mistletoe are toxic to people.Serious problems are possible for pets who consume large quantities of berries.
The tree needs to be well-established and should be at least twenty years old.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Thus, mistletoe is best suited for a large, healthy tree.
Other species of mistletoe, though sometimes damaging and disfiguring to trees, are usually not considered invasive species.
Water
This semi-parasitic plant receives its water from the host tree.
The Spruce / K. Dave
No additional watering is required.
Regions that experience harsh, sub-freezing temperatures or exceptionally dry conditions are not suitable for growing this plant.
In the wild, they tend to be found in low-lying areas that are fairly humid.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Fertilizer
Mistletoe requires no direct feeding because it derives its nutrients from its host plant.
Propagating Mistletoe Plants
Mistletoe propagation can be tricky.
You need the right conditions and a suitable tree host.
Mistletoe flowers in later winter or early spring, but the flowers are insignificant and are not worth encouraging.
Most mature mistletoe will bloom readily provided they receive plenty of sunlight.
If you notice a mistletoe plant blooming, simply wait for the berries to develop.
Common Problems With Mistletoe
The most common complaint about mistletoe is its unwanted presence.
It often arrives uninvited, usually sown by birds who spread the seeds through droppings after eating the berries.
Take care not to broadcast-spray herbicides, as they could potentially damage the host plant.
But some people tolerate mistletoe to harvest branches for holiday decorations.
And, these plants do make an excellent food source for various wildlife.
Some species of birds also use mistletoe balls as roosting and nesting sites.
Usually not, though individual branches are sometimes killed or broken by the mistletoe growth.
To avoid such kisses, then, was to encourage bad fortune.
This interpretation is often disputed, however.
