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.
How to grow rosemary in different climates
Rosemary thrives best in zones 8 and warmer in the garden, however that isn’t to say it can’t be grown in colder zones. For cold areas, it’s best to grow rosemary in a pot so you can bring it in during winter.
Benefits of growing rosemary plants from stem cuttings
There are four reasons to grow rosemary from a cutting.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
Watch Charlie propagate rosemary
3 simple ways to propagate rosemary from stem cuttings
He 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.
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.
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