3 Ways to Propagate Rosemary for Fresh Herbs Whenever You Want

Rosemary is a fragrant kitchen staple as well as an evergreen plant that can thrive for years with minimal care, making it a favorite among home gardeners. Instead of buying a new plant every year, you can create an endless supply of rosemary by propagating it from cuttings or through layering. These techniques allow you to turn a single plant into many, providing you with a bounty of fresh herbs for cooking or flavoring beverages. Ahead, we're sharing how to propagate rosemary with step-by-step directions from gardening experts.

How to Propagate Rosemary in Soil

Propagating rosemary through stem cuttings is the most common and reliable method. It's done by removing stems from your rosemary plant and potting them in a separate container. Follow these steps from Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, to successfully propagate rosemary cuttings in soil.

1. Using clean pruners, take 4- to 6-inch-long stem cuttings from your rosemary plant. Strip away the lower 1/2 of the leaves from the stem. 
2. Fill a 6-inch pot with a well-draining potting mix that has perlite. Make sure the container has a drainage hole.
3. Optional: Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone to aid in rooting.
4. Using a pencil, create six to eight holes in the soil. Insert the stems of the rosemary cuttings into each hole. Using your fingers, press the soil or perlite around the base of the stem. 
5. Lightly moisten the soil and put the pot under grow lights or on a windowsill in indirect light. Ensure the soil stays moist.
6. In two to three weeks, fibrous roots will form. Once there is a strong fibrous root system, gently tease out the cuttings from the soil and plant each one in its own container.
   

How to Propagate Rosemary in Water

One of the easiest ways to propagate rosemary is by placing the cuttings in water instead of soil. Bunting recommends following these steps to propagate rosemary in water the right way.

1. Using clean pruners, take 4- to 6-inch-long stem cuttings from your rosemary plant. Strip away the lower 1/2 of the leaves from the stem. 
2. Fill a clear glass or vase with fresh water. Place the cuttings in the water, ensuring none of the leaves get wet.
3. Put the container under grow lights or on a windowsill in indirect light. 
4. In two to three weeks, fibrous roots will form. Once there is a strong fibrous root system, gently tease out the cuttings from the soil and plant each one in its own container.

Don't Miss

How to Propagate Basil for an Endless Supply of Fresh Herbs

How to Propagate Hydrangeas for an Endless Supply of Spring and Summer Blooms

How to Propagate Rosemary Through Layering

Layering allows you to produce more rosemary plants without taking cuttings, and is a great method for in-ground plants. "Success is likely with this style of propagation because the new plant is still connected to the mother plant's root system," says Luke Hammond, expert gardener at Seedtime.

1. Choose a healthy, low-growing rosemary branch still attached to the plant.
2. Gently bend it toward the ground without snapping it.
3. Remove leaves from the section of the branch that will be buried.
4. Lightly scrape the underside of the stem with a knife.
5. Bury the wounded section under 2 to 3 inches of soil, securing it with a U-shaped wire or landscape pin.
6. Water the area regularly to keep it moist.
7. After six to eight weeks (or when roots form), cut the new plant from the mother and transplant.
   

How to Care for Propagated Rosemary

Proper care of rosemary cuttings is essential to ensure they grow their own roots. To keep them happy, Bunting recommends watering the soil just enough to keep it from drying out, as overwatering can cause root rot. As a Mediterranean herb, rosemary does best in full sun, so keep the cuttings somewhere they will receive adequate sunlight. "Over the next several months, the cuttings will grow into small plants," says Bunting. "In three to four months, the plants will be ready to add to the garden."