How To Propagate Herbs

Learning how to propagate is one of the best ways to get new plants from existing plant that you or someone you may know already have. It’s extremely easy once you master creating the proper environment and using the right tools (which may already be around your home).

What is propagate

Propagation also known as rooting is the creation of new plants from existing plants. There are multiple ways to propagate herbs, but we will speak on the most popular method: cutting

Steps

1. Choose a healthy and disease free plant and ensure it has been water and nurtured for the past two days at least.

2. Take cuttings of newly grown stem (mainly indicated by green stem and brightly colored leaves) about 3-6 inch long. Cut right above leaf node – it’s where you will see two new leaves to sprout out) and use sharp shears to cut a concise and angle cutting.

3. Remove 1/3 of the leaves at the bottom leaving at 2 leaves to stand outside of the water.

4. Place the cuttings in a fresh jar of water where the leafless stems are submerged and the leaves are resting above water..

5. Set the jar in an area where they will receive partial lightning and won’t be exposed to too hot or cold temperatures.

6. Check regularly for water that may have evaporated, stems that may have started to rot, cloudy water, or new roots. When roots become several inches long, your cuttings are ready to be placed in soil! Also, any cloudy water, rotten stems, or evaporated water needs to be replace with fresh water and/or fresh cuttings.

Things you will need

• sharp, sterile knife or scissors
• mason jars
• sunlight

TIP: Propagating is perfect when the temperature drops and you will like to bring your favorite herbs inside to use. Instead of carrying the big planters in, you can create a small indoor herb garden. We give easy instructions on how to, here.