Gardeners often notice new shoots emerging from the base or roots of their plants. While commonly called “suckling plants,” the correct botanical term is “suckers” or “suckering plants.” These growths are common and can significantly impact plant health and appearance.
What Are Plant Suckers
Plant suckers are shoots that emerge from a plant’s root system or lower stem. On grafted plants, they often appear below the graft union, differing from the desired growth above. Suckers typically show vigorous, upright growth and may have different leaf characteristics, color, or texture compared to the main plant. They originate from dormant buds on the roots or stem.
Why Plants Produce Suckers
Plants produce suckers as a natural part of their growth, sometimes for vegetative propagation. Sucker formation is also a response to stress or damage. Factors like drought, pest infestation, disease, or physical injury to the roots or main stem can trigger suckering. Over-pruning, especially removing more than one-third of the plant’s top growth, can stimulate sucker production as the plant tries to replace lost foliage. On grafted plants, suckers may emerge from the rootstock if the graft union is stressed or damaged.
Deciding When to Manage Suckers
The decision to manage suckers depends on their impact and your gardening goals. In some cases, suckers can be beneficial for the natural spread and rejuvenation of certain shrubs or for propagating new plants from non-grafted species. For example, allowing some suckers to grow can create a dense thicket. Conversely, suckers often compete with the main plant for water, nutrients, and energy, potentially weakening it, reducing flowering or fruiting, and altering its form. On grafted plants, rootstock suckers produce growth genetically different from the desired plant and can quickly outcompete the cultivated variety.
Effective Sucker Management Techniques
Effective management involves timely removal to maintain plant health and appearance. Small, young suckers, especially on non-grafted plants, can often be pulled or rubbed off by hand. This tears out dormant basal buds, helping prevent regrowth.
For larger suckers, use sharp pruning shears or loppers to cut them as close as possible to their origin on the root or stem, sometimes requiring soil removal. Cutting them flush minimizes regrowth from residual stubs. Regular inspection and prompt removal throughout the growing season are the most effective long-term strategies. Avoid using herbicides on suckers, as this can harm the main plant.
Plants Prone to Suckering
Many plants, including trees, shrubs, and perennials, produce suckers. Common examples include fruit trees like apples and plums, and ornamental trees and shrubs such as forsythia, dogwood, roses, sumac, birch, and lilac. Some plants, like quaking aspen, primarily propagate through suckering, leading to large clonal groves. Selecting varieties known for less suckering can help reduce maintenance.