How to Propagate Herbs

How to Propagate Herbs

Herbs are one of the most popular edibles to grow at home, and for good reason. Herbs are easy to grow indoors and out, and even if you only have room on a tiny window sill you can still have freshly grown, tasty seasonings to add to your meals.

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If you like to cook with herbs on a regular basis you’ll know you can go through them quite quickly. You can use up almost a whole little plant of basil just to make some pesto! Instead of buying several plants there is an easier way to get more herbs for your buck. Herb propagation! There are several methods of using your existing herbs and either dividing them or taking cuttings to grow a whole new plant.

We are headed into the heart of summer so it’s a great time to learn how to propagate herbs. You can split and propagate herbs any time of the year but for best results you should do it in the spring or fall.  I’m going to share three methods of herb propagation with you today, cutting, division, and layering. Each of these methods can be easier and faster than growing herbs from seed. Read on to learn some simple herb propagation techniques.

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Cutting

Cut the stem off an herb at least 2-6 inches long right underneath the node (where the leaf grows out of the stem). Cut at a 45 degree angle. Take your stems and place them in bud vases or bottles full of water on a sunny window sill. Change the water in the vases each day. In a short time the cuttings will begin to grow roots. After a few weeks, once the roots have grown a few inches long, you can transfer your cuttings to a new pot with soil. Propagating herb cuttings in bottles is not only an effective way to grow herbs but it’s a great way to recycle bottles or display a vintage bottle collection on your window sill.

Alternative Method:
Instead of placing the cuttings in water you can also dip the stems in rooting hormone and place directly into a small pot with soil.

Division

This method may be the easiest. Simply take a plant that is flourishing and remove it from the container. Then, using a large knife slice through the middle of the plant all the way through the root system so that it is cut into two pieces. Take each section of the plant and put it in it’s own container. One plant becomes two! You may want to plant each of the divided plants into a container that is quite a bit larger than the plant itself. Herbs such as mint grow fast and you will find the herbs will fill out the pot quite quickly.

Layering

This method takes a little longer but can be quite effective. Take the stem of a herb that is growing on the edge of the plant and stretch it out as far as you can without ripping it off. Press the middle of the stem into the dirt and cover it with more soil. Soon the section that is buried will begin to sprout roots. It will grow into it’s own plant. Once the plant it established you can dig it up away from the mother plant and bury it somewhere else. This method works best in the spring. At the beginning of the season begin to establish a new plant using the layering technique and by fall you should have a new plant that is ready to dig up and move to a different spot in the garden.

Herb cuttings and potted plants make wonderful housewarming gifts. Sharing plant cuttings or divided herbs among friends is a great way to add more variety to your herb garden and build your plant collection. It’s also economical and fun! Before you head to the nursery to stock up more herb plants why not give some gardener friends a call and see what you can share and trade with each other!

Looking for more ways to keep your plants happy and healthy? Check out this video for ways to keep your houseplants watered while you are away.