Rosemary is one of the most flavourful herbs in the kitchen and also one of the most fragrant in the garden. If you find yourself purchasing sprigs from the supermarket each week, why not take a smarter and more cost-effective approach and learn how to propagate rosemary at home? That way, you’ll never run low on fresh rosemary again – just take a trip to your garden, or your kitchen windowsill and grab aromatic, fresh sprigs from your hand-grown plant.
How to propagate rosemary
The best part about growing rosemary is it’s easy to propagate without having to buy another plant. All you need are healthy cuttings from the variety of rosemary you want to grow and, before you know it, you’ll have enough to last week after week. The best time of year to take rosemary cuttings for propagating is the end of spring through to summer when the plant is actively growing and more likely to root successfully.
Best time to propagate rosemary in Australia by climate zone
Rosemary is a Mediterranean plant, so it thrives in hot dry summers and cool, went winters. Areas such as South Australia and southern Western Australia are the most ideal. Sydney and Melbourne are also ideal so long as it doesn’t get too humid. Since rosemary hates humidity, it won’t thrive on the east coast in areas like Brisbane or the Northern Territory. To combat this, make sure your cuttings arte in well-drained soil and avoid over-watering it.
Benefits of growing rosemary plants from stem cuttings
There are four reasons to grow rosemary from a cutting.
- It is a no-cost way to increase your rosemary supply without needing to spend another penny. A single plant can provide multiple cuttings and will continue to spread and bloom year-round.
- Growing rosemary from a cutting is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require any particular gardening skills. It’s also easy to maintain and is drought-tolerant once established.
- A cutting will mature more quickly than a plant started from a seed. Rosemary seeds have low germination rates and take a long time to grow and sprout, but a stem cutting will reach a usable size in only a few months. That means it can be harvested sooner.
- A rosemary plant grown from a cutting will be a clone of the mother plant and have the same flavour, disease resistance and growth.So grab a rosemary cutting and garden shovel, and get ready to have fresh, fragrant rosemary right at your fingertips!
3 simple ways to propagate rosemary from stem cuttings
Here are three easy ways you can propagate rosemary from a cutting.
1. How to grow rosemary cuttings with rooting hormone
Gather your supplies
- Secateurs
- Seed-raising mix
- Mini propagator with cell growing tray
- Rooting hormone
- Multicrop plant starter
- Watering can
- Spray bottle
Step 1
Fill tray with seed-raising mix. Snip 15cm cuttings from top of plant and strip leaves from bottom.
Step 2
Dip cuttings into the rooting hormone then place dipped end into seed-raising mix. Press each cutting firmly into mix with your fingers.
Step 3
Dilute Plant Starter, following instructions, and apply to cuttings. Cover with lid and put in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. Fill a spray bottle with water and mist cuttings daily so soil doesn’t dry out.
Step 4
In 2-3 weeks, test for root growth by gently tugging on cuttings. Once roots have formed, relocate into individual pots or into ground. Pinch off top of cuttings to encourage branching.
2. How to propagate rosemary in honey
Interestingly, rosemary cuttings can be propagated using honey and yes, it does work!
The process is the same as above, except instead of using a synthetic rooting hormone, you can use honey to promote root growth.
3. How to grow rosemary in water
Growing rosemary in water is an easy, effective way to propagate without needing soil. As long as the cuttings are healthy, rosemary can be rooted in water in just a few simple steps.
Step 1
When selecting the cuttings from a healthy rosemary plant, choose a stem that is a fresh green shoot (usually at the top of the plant) and not the stiff woody stems. Cut a 10-15 cm piece just below a node and ensure the cutting is free of any flowers or buds.
Step 2
Strip the leaves about 5cm from the base. This helps to prevent rot and encourage root growth.
Step 3
Grab a clean jar or glass and fill it up with water. Submerge the ends of the cutting in water. Make sure no leaves are in the water; they might rot.
Step 4
Place the rosemary in a warm spot in indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight will cause the water to evaporate too quickly. Now all you have to do is wait and monitor. Change the water every 2 – 3 days to prevent algae and bacteria growth, and keep it fresh, encouraging healthy root development. Tip: If possible, use a clear container so you can easily see the roots as they grow.
Step 5
It can take 3-4 weeks before you see any root growth but, once you do, there will be small white roots at the base of the cutting. Once they are 2.5cm to 5cm long, the cutting is ready to be planted into soil if desired.
Step 6
For rosemary’s long-term growth, soil is typically better for its health and stability. Gently transfer the rooted cutting into a pot with well-draining soil (you can even try a potting mix designed for succulents or cacti). Or, if you’d prefer to keep your rosemary growing in water, you can just replace the water regularly.
FAQs about propagating rosemary
How long does rosemary take to root in water?
It takes about two weeks. Make sure the water is fresh daily for the best results.
Can you propagate rosemary in winter in Australia?
Only if you propagate it indoors. You can get a grow lamp to ensure it gets enough light.
Can I propagate rosemary from Woolworths/Coles?
Yes, if they are selling the whole plant. If you’re trying to propagate from dried rosemary, unfortunately that rosemary is dead.
Why are my rosemary cuttings turning brown?
You’re either overwatering, underwatering, or not giving your rosemary enough light.
Do I need rooting hormone for rosemary in Australia?
Our garden editor, Jenny Dillon, prefers to use rooting hormone. A great alternative is manuka honey.
Can you propagate rosemary from old woody stems?
Yes! But it will take longer.
Tips
- If you’re propagating more than one cutting, make sure each cutting has enough space for the roots to grow in the water properly. Tap water can stunt development so, if possible, use filtered or distilled water.
- For cold areas, it’s best to grow rosemary in a pot so you can bring it in during winter.
- Add dolomite to your soil’s pH as rosemary loves soil with a higher pH.
Best rosemary varieties to propagate in Australia
Tuscan Blue
The tallest variety of rosemary, Tuscan Blue can grow up to two metres high, making it perfect for hedging. It also grows deep and vibrant blue flowers.
Huntington Carpet
If you’re looking for ground cover, Hungtington Carpet is for you. Living up to its name, this variety grows closer to the ground and has narrower leaf nodes so it appears denser than others.
Prostratus
Like Huntington Carpet, this prostrate variety is great for ground cover. Its branches create a dense foliage and they tend to have a creeping habit that cascades beautifully.
Salem
This variety came to Australia from New Zealand is an upright grower, able to reach just under a couple of metres and a width of about a metre. With blooms of rich blue flowers, Salem also makes a great hedging variety.
