Rosemary is a fragrant herb that can be grown indoors or outdoors. While rosemary can be planted from seeds, the easiest and fastest way to grow this Mediterranean herb is by taking cuttings from an existing rosemary plant. Rooting rosemary cuttings allows you to replicate your favorite variety or cultivate multiple plants from a single parent plant.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about propagating rosemary from cuttings. We’ll cover how to plant rosemary cuttings, what tools and materials to use, detailed step-by-step instructions, caring for your new plants, troubleshooting problems, and answering frequently asked questions about growing rosemary from cuttings. Let’s get started!
Why Grow Rosemary from Cuttings
There are a few reasons you may want to grow new rosemary plants from cuttings rather than planting seeds:
- Quicker Harvest: Rosemary grown from cuttings will establish faster and be ready for harvest sooner than when grown from seed. You can expect foliage harvests 4-6 months after planting cuttings.
- Guaranteed Genetics: Taking cuttings from an existing plant that you love the taste and growth habit of will produce new plants that are exact genetic replicas.
- Higher Success Rate: When propagated correctly, rosemary cuttings have a very high rooting rate compared to germinating seeds.
- Extend the Growing Season: Taking rosemary cuttings in late winter allows you to get a head start on the growing season with mature plants ready to be transferred outdoors in spring.
When to Take Rosemary Cuttings
The best time to take rosemary cuttings is in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Cuttings taken when plants are dormant have the highest rooting success rate.
- Late Winter: Take cuttings from late January through February. Growth is minimal and plants can spare some stems.
- Early Spring: Early to mid-March is also suitable for taking cuttings as plants start to exit dormancy.
- Avoid Mid-Summer: Cuttings are difficult to root during hot mid-summer temperatures and may rot.
To collect your cuttings, pick a mild day when temperatures are above freezing. Morning is ideal before the day warms up. Avoid harvesting cuttings immediately after a hard freeze.
Selecting Healthy Rosemary Cuttings
Choosing vigorous, healthy stems to use as cuttings gives you the best chance of propagation success. Look for:
- Mature Stems: Select woodier, more mature stems, not new soft green growth. Older stems root better.
- Tip Growth: Opt for stems with healthy leafy tip growth, avoiding discolored or damaged tips.
- Length: Cuttings should be 3-6 inches long. Longer is better.
- Diameter: Stems should be at least 1/8 inch wide, but no more than 1/4 inch.
- Location: Take cuttings from all sides of the plant, not just one section.
Avoid large flowers, buds, or stems with woody peeling bark. These are signs of aging stems that have a harder time developing roots.
How Many Cuttings to Take
The number of cuttings to take depends on the size and health of your parent rosemary plant. A good rule of thumb is:
- Small Plant: For a potted rosemary less than 1 foot tall, take 2-3 cuttings.
- Medium Plant: A 2-3 feet rosemary can spare around 5 cuttings.
- Large Plant: Take up to 10 cuttings from a mature rosemary over 3 feet tall.
Don’t take more than 20% of the plant’s stems or excessive pruning can damage the parent plant. Remember to spread out your cuttings evenly around the entire plant.
Rooting Rosemary Cuttings Step-By-Step
Now that you know what to look for, let’s walk through the process of rooting rosemary cuttings in soil.
Supplies Needed:
- Sharp, clean pruners or garden scissors
- Small pots or seedling trays
- Loose, well-draining potting mix
- Clear plastic bags or dome lids
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Labels and markers
Step 1: Take Cuttings in the Morning
In the early morning, use pruners or garden scissors to snip 3-6-inch long cuttings from your rosemary plant. Cut just below a node or junction where leaves emerge.
Take cuttings evenly from all sides of the plant. Immediately place cut stems in a cup of water while you prepare your pots.
Step 2: Prepare your Pots and Soil Mix
Fill your small pots or seedling cells with fresh potting soil, leaving 1-2 inches at the top. The best soil mix is a loose, well-draining mix.
Moisten the soil before inserting cuttings. It should be damp but not overly soggy.
Step 3: Dip Cut End in Rooting Hormone (Optional)
While not required, dipping the fresh-cut end of each stem in rooting hormone can accelerate root growth. Rooting hormones contain plant growth regulators that stimulate root cell division and development.
Lightly coat just the bottom 1⁄2 inch of each cutting. Tap off any excess powder.
Step 4: Insert Cuttings in Soil
Poke holes in the pre-moistened potting mix with a pencil about 2 inches deep.
Insert each cutting upright into a hole, exposing just the top 2 leafy inches. Press soil gently around the stem.
Space cuttings 1-2 inches apart if planting multiple per pot. Water gently to settle soil.
Step 5: Cover Pots with Plastic
Place cuttings pots in a bright spot sheltered from direct sun. Cover each pot with a plastic bag or transparent lid to create a greenhouse effect.
This retains humidity and prevents cuttings from drying out while they root. Leave the plastic on at all times.
Step 6: Wait 4-8 Weeks for Roots
Keep your cuttings soil consistently moist but not saturated. Check under the plastic regularly and spray with water if needed.
Watch for new leaf growth after 2-3 weeks. Gently tug on cuttings after 4 weeks to check for root formation before transplanting.
Caring for Rooted Rosemary Cuttings
Once your cuttings have developed a dense web of new roots after 4-8 weeks, they are ready to be transplanted! Follow these tips:
- Acclimate plants by removing plastic and exposing them to open air for 1-2 weeks before transplanting.
- Transplant into 4-6 inch pots with fresh potting mix and good drainage.
- Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to support growth.
- Prune leggy stems by 1/3rd their height 1-2 months after transplanting to encourage bushiness.
- Move outdoors after the last frost of spring once overnight temperatures remain above 40°F.
- Plant in garden beds after 2-3 months once cuttings are robust, and harden off plants. Space 18-24 inches apart.
With proper care, your cuttings will grow into full-sized, productive rosemary plants for harvesting within one year!
Troubleshooting Rosemary Cuttings
If your cuttings fail to take root or new plants struggle after transplanting, here are some common issues and solutions:
Problem: Cuttings dying, drying out, or turning brown.
Solution: Increase humidity levels. Ensure plastic domes have no openings and mist more frequently. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Problem: Cuttings rotting or developing mold.
Solution: Soil may be too wet. Allow more time between waterings and ensure pots have drainage holes.
Problem: Minimal new growth after transplanting.
Solution: Move plants into brighter light. Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer to encourage new growth.
Problem: Leggy, sparse growth.
Solution: Prune back one-third of stem length to force bushier regrowth.
Conclusion
Growing rosemary from cuttings is an easy and reliable way to multiply this useful herb. With proper stem selection, care, and maintenance, you can propagate new rosemary plants for a continuous supply in just 1-2 months.
The keys are taking cuttings from healthy, mature stems in late winter, providing consistent humidity and moisture while rooting, and gradually acclimating young plants before planting outdoors.
In no time, you’ll have abundant homegrown rosemary for seasoning roasted meats and vegetables, infusing flavor into oils and vinegars, and using fresh sprigs in cocktails. Enjoy cultivating this aromatic Mediterranean herb!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do cuttings need sunlight?
Rosemary cuttings require bright, indirect light while rooting. Avoid direct hot sun. A bright window or greenhouse is ideal. Outdoor shade also works well.
2. How often should I water rosemary cuttings?
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Check under the plastic cover daily and spray water if it starts to dry out. After roots form, let the soil moderately dry between waterings.
3. What potting mix is best?
Use a loose, well-draining soilless potting mix. Avoid heavy potting soils that retain too much moisture. Mix in perlite or builder’s sand to improve drainage.
4. Can I use rooting hormone?
Using a powder or gel rooting hormone is optional but can increase the rate of success. Plant hormones encourage faster root growth. Dip just the cut end of stems in hormone before planting.
5. How long do cuttings take to root?
Cuttings should begin forming callused roots in 4-6 weeks. At 4 weeks, check for root development by gently tugging on stems before transplanting into larger pots. Some varieties may take up to 8 weeks for full root establishment.
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