How to Grow Small Lilac Bush - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Small lilac bush is a plant that is found in many gardens. It has small purple flowers and is a member of the mint family.

How to Grow Small Lilac Bush - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Meadow lilac
  • Purple lilac
  • Sweet violet
  • Wetland violet
  • Bluebell

Common Knowledge

  • Small lilac bushes are best suited for small gardens or yards.
  • They are slow-growing shrubs, so they won't take over your garden.
  • Lilacs prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade.
  • They need well-drained soil and should be fertilized yearly.
  • Lilacs are susceptible to several pests and diseases, so regular inspection and treatment may be necessary.
  • Regular pruning will help keep your lilac bush healthy and looking its best.
  • Lilacs can be propagated from stem cuttings or by layering.
  • The flowers of small lilac bushes are typically lavender or white.
  • Small lilac bushes are generally low-maintenance and easy to care for.
  • The fragrant flowers of small lilac bushes make them a popular choice for gardens and landscaping.

Related plant:
Small Evergreen Plants

Planting Process

  1. For small lilac bush, first step is to purchase a young lilac bush from your local nursery.
  2. Once you have your bush, make sure to plant it in an area of your yard that gets full sun.
  3. Once you have found the perfect spot, dig a hole that is twice the size of the roots of your bush.
  4. After you have dug the hole, mix in some compost or manure to the surrounding soil.
  5. Gently place your lilac bush in the hole and fill it in with the amended soil.
  6. Once the hole is filled, water the bush deeply.
  7. If you live in an area with a lot of deer, you may need to put up a fence around your bush to keep them from eating it.
  8. In the spring, fertilize your lilac bush with a balanced fertilizer.
  9. lilacs typically don't need to be pruned, but if you want to shape them, prune them right after they bloom.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful lilac bush!

Related plant:
Small Hedges

The Soil

About soil condition, small lilac bush need well-drained soil, and it prefer sandy to loamy soil. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic. It also requires full sun for best blooming, but it will tolerate partial shade.

Light condition

Just like other plants, lilacs need sunlight to grow and thrive. They should be planted in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. If they don't get enough sun, they won't bloom as much.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition is suitable for small lilac bush. The bush can thrive in slightly cool to cold weather and can tolerate frost. It is important to keep the bush in a well-lit area, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 35% to 40%. Water the plant when the top 2 inches of the soil becomes dry to the touch. Allow the water to seep deeply into the root system. Do not water the plant too frequently because this will cause the roots to rot.

The Fertilizer

The fertilizer, this kind of plant food, is very important to the growth and health of your small lilac bush. The roots of the bush will grow deeper into the ground, making the plant stronger and more drought tolerant.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your small lilac bush healthy and looking its best. It is best to prune in early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune to remove dead or damaged branches, to encourage new growth, or to shape the bush.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. To propagate a small lilac bush, you will need to take a cutting from an existing bush. Cuttings should be taken from new growth that is still soft, and they should be 6-8 inches long. Place the cutting in a pot of moistened potting mix, and then water it well. Keep the pot in a warm, sunny spot, and wait for the cutting to take root. Once the roots have developed, you can transplant the cutting into its permanent location.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer. With average temperatures and rainfall, lilac bushes can grow up to two feet per year. However, if the temperatures are too hot or cold, or there is not enough rainfall, the lilac bush will not grow as quickly.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are over watering and under watering. If you over water your lilac bush, the leaves will turn yellow and drop off. If you under water your lilac bush, the leaves will wilt and the plant will die.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your lilac bush in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. Lilac bushes need at least six hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive.
  • Be sure to give your lilac bush plenty of space to grow. Lilac bushes can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure to plant them at least 10 feet apart.
  • Lilac bushes are known for being drought-tolerant, but they still need to be watered regularly. Be sure to water your lilac bush at least once a week, and more often during periods of extended drought.
  • Add a layer of mulch around your lilac bush to help retain moisture and protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
  • Prune your lilac bush annually to encourage new growth and to keep the bush from becoming overgrown.
  • Fertilize your lilac bush twice a year with a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.

You May Like

  • small streams
  • little creeks
  • tiny brooks
  • wee rivers
  • minuscule tributaries
  • microscopically-sized channels
  • itty-bitty rivulets
  • teensy-weensy streams
  • puny rills
  • miniscule runs

Source:
How to recognize, treat and avoid lilac bacterial blight
Lilac: An old-fashioned, favorite shrub - MSU Extension
Special Lilacs — Yard & Garden Report - ag.ndsu.edu

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category