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How to Grow Rosemary from Cuttings

easyGardening30 min

Learn how to propagate rosemary from cuttings to expand your herb garden without buying new plants. This guide is perfect for gardeners of all skill levels who want to master a simple cloning technique. You will discover how to select the best stems and properly prepare them for successful rooting.

Safety Warnings

  • Use sharp pruning shears carefully to avoid cuts.
  • Keep rooting hormone powder away from children and pets.

Tools Needed

Pruning shears — Sharp bypass pruners or scissors
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Pencil or dibber — Standard pencil for making soil holes
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Materials

Potting soil mix — Well-draining mix of sand, perlite, or peat moss(1 pot)
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Rooting hormone — Powdered synthetic auxin(Small amount)
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Steps

1
Select healthy stems from a mature rosemary plant. Look for soft, flexible green growth at the tips rather than woody brown stems. This is most successful in late spring to early summer or early fall after flowering.
2
Cut a 4- to 6-inch section from the tip of the stem using sharp pruners or scissors, clipping just below a leaf node. If cutting a long stem into sections, remember which end was lower on the parent plant, as this is the end that will produce roots.
Clip just below the node 4-6" cutting Leaf node Bypass pruner Cut clean and straight just below a node to encourage root growth
3
Gently remove leaves from the bottom 2 to 3 inches of the stem, leaving a small bunch of five or six leaves at the top. Avoid tearing the leaves to prevent damaging the plant.
Leaf cluster Stripped end Bare stem slide off gently Remove bottom leaves to expose the stem for rooting hormone and soil insertion
4
Dip the stripped end of the rosemary stem into powdered rooting hormone to stimulate growth before planting.
5
Use a pencil or dibber to make a hole in the well-draining potting soil. Plant the stem 3 to 4 inches deep and water thoroughly immediately after planting. If using a single pot for multiple stems, space them 1.5 to 2 inches apart.
Potting soil 3-4" depth Rosemary stem Insert deep Cross-section: Planting stem deep ensures stability and root contact
6
Place the pot in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. Keep the soil moist to the touch, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
7
After approximately 8 weeks, give the plants a gentle tug to verify that roots have established. Once new growth begins to develop, separate the plants into individual pots or transplant them into the garden.

Pro Tips

  • For better drainage, create a soil blend using one part perlite or sand to one or two parts compost.
  • To help regulate temperature and maintain moisture, you can place the entire pot inside a plastic bag with a few holes punctured in the top.

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