What Is a Sprig Plant and How Do You Grow One?

Establishing a new lawn or ground cover can be approached in several ways, and using sprigs is an effective and economical method for certain types of spreading plants. This technique is a form of vegetative propagation that involves planting individual plant sections, which take advantage of a plant’s natural tendency to spread and form roots from its stems. This approach is efficient for covering large areas over time.

Defining a Plant Sprig

A plant sprig is a piece of a plant stem, specifically a stolon (above-ground runner) or rhizome (below-ground stem), that includes leaves, nodes, and sometimes roots. Both stolons and rhizomes can produce new plants. A primary distinction of sprigging is that these sections are planted without any attached soil, making each sprig an independent piece capable of growing into a full plant.

Compared to planting seeds, sprigging creates a plant that is genetically identical to its parent, ensuring uniformity in texture and color. This method often results in faster establishment than seeding because the plant part is already partially developed. Seeds, by contrast, can introduce genetic variability.

A sprig differs from a plug, which is a small plant grown in a tray with its soil and root system intact. A sprig is also a specific type of cutting. While “cutting” is a general term for any plant piece used for propagation, “sprig” refers to stolon or rhizome sections used for lawns and ground covers.

Common Plants Grown from Sprigs

Sprigging is most common for warm-season lawn grasses with a spreading growth habit. Bermuda grass is a frequent choice due to its aggressive growth, which allows it to cover an area quickly. Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass are also widely established using sprigs, as this method is more cost-effective than sod for large areas.

Many ground covers and herbs with a creeping or mat-forming habit are also well-suited for sprigging. Because their stems readily develop roots where they touch the ground, they propagate effectively this way. Common examples include:

• Mint, a vigorous spreader.
• Creeping thyme, a fragrant lawn alternative.
• Creeping jenny.
• Various types of ivy.

How to Plant Sprigs

Successful sprigging begins with proper soil preparation. First, clear the area of all existing vegetation and weeds. Till or loosen the soil to a depth of at least one to two inches to ensure good contact for the sprigs. Amending the soil with compost can improve its structure and nutrient content, creating a better environment for root growth.

Once the soil is prepared, create shallow furrows for planting, about two to three inches deep and spaced six to twelve inches apart. Closer spacing results in faster coverage. For smaller areas or when planting between stones, you can make individual holes with a trowel instead of furrows.

Lay the sprigs in the furrows, ensuring good soil contact. Make sure at least one node—the point on the stem where leaves and roots emerge—is buried. A portion of each sprig, including some leaves, must remain exposed to the sun. For grass sprigs, a planting depth of two to two and a half inches is recommended.

After placing the sprigs, backfill the furrows with soil to cover the buried portions. Lightly tamp down the soil by walking on it or using a light roller. This eliminates air pockets, prevents the sprigs from drying out, and encourages root development.

Caring for Newly Planted Sprigs

Consistent moisture is necessary for the survival of new sprigs, as they have limited or no roots and can dry out quickly. Water the area immediately after planting. For the first one to two weeks, keep the soil persistently moist, which may require light watering several times a day in hot or windy conditions.

As the sprigs establish and new growth appears, you can gradually reduce watering frequency. Transition to a deeper, less frequent schedule to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil. An established lawn generally needs about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation.

Most plants established by sprigging, especially lawn grasses, thrive in full sun and require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. You should see signs of new growth within about a week. Full coverage can take between five to eight weeks, depending on the plant and conditions.

During the establishment period, limit foot traffic on the newly sprigged area to prevent dislodging the plants. This allows the new roots to take hold without disturbance. Once new growth is established and spreading, you can begin mowing as needed, but avoid cutting it too short initially.