I must confess something, I’m a total plant-a-holic, and I’m guessing you’re one too. Now, who can blame us? The feeling of nurturing a plant, watching it grow and thrive, is truly magical.
But what if I told you, you could multiply that magic without buying a new plant each time? And what’s more, you don’t need a green thumb or wizard powers. All you need are some ordinary garden herbs and a pair of scissors.
Get ready to meet 20 friendly herbs that can easily be propagated from cuttings. Get your plant-loving heart and propagating hat on, because we’re about to make magic happen.
1. Rosemary:
This sturdy herb can withstand drought and frost, making it a versatile choice for your garden. To propagate, cut a 6-inch stem from a healthy plant, ensuring it’s not flowering. Remove the bottom leaves and plant it directly in the soil. Keep the soil slightly damp, and soon enough, you’ll notice new growth.
2. Basil:
Our pesto’s MVP, basil can also be grown from cuttings. Pick a healthy, long stem around 4 inches, making your cut just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves and place it in a glass of water. In about two weeks, you’ll see roots shooting out from the nodes.
3. Thyme:
Known for its tiny, fragrant leaves, thyme can be propagated in a similar way. Cut a 5-inch stem, strip the lower leaves, and place it in a pot with well-drained soil. This is thyme-consuming (wink), but the wait is worth it!
4. Oregano:
Propagating oregano is a walk in the park. All you need to do is take a 4-inch cutting, remove the bottom leaves, and plant it in water or soil. Keep it in indirect light, and soon you’ll see new roots sprouting.
5. Mint:
Known for its aggressive growth, mint propagates rapidly in water. Snip a stem, place it in a water-filled jar, and change the water every few days. In no time, you’ll have a new mint plant ready to hit the soil.
6. Sage:
Sage cuttings root best in soil. Snip a 4-inch stem from the parent plant, remove the lower leaves and plant it in a pot. Keep the soil slightly moist, and your sage plant will start growing roots in a few weeks.
7. Lavender:
To propagate lavender, choose a healthy non-flowering stem from the parent plant. Remove the lower leaves and plant the stem in a pot filled with potting mix. It might take a while to root, but the fragrance of success is worth the wait!
8. Lemongrass:
Lemongrass grows like a champ from the stalk’s bottom. Just chop off the bottom, put it in a glass of water, and change the water regularly. Soon enough, new roots will develop.
9. Chives:
Chives propagate easily from cuttings in water. Trim a few stalks, place them in a glass of water, and new roots will start to appear from the base of the cuttings.
10. Parsley:
For parsley, take a 4-inch cutting and place it in a pot with soil. Keep the soil moist, and soon enough, you’ll have a new parsley plant.
11. Cilantro:
Cilantro can easily be grown from cuttings. Just take a fresh stem, put it in a glass of water, and wait for the roots to develop. Then, it can be transferred to a pot.
12. Marjoram:
This aromatic herb roots quite easily. Cut a small stem, put it in water, and in a few weeks, you’ll see new roots.
13. Dill:
Dill can be propagated from a cutting taken from the top of the plant. Place this cutting in water, and soon, you’ll see new roots appearing.
14. Fennel:
Fennel grows well from cuttings. Take a healthy frond, put it in water, and watch it grow roots. Once the roots are developed, you can plant it in soil.
15. Tarragon:
Tarragon cuttings root well in water. Take a stem, put it in water, and once the roots have developed, it’s ready to be planted in soil.
16. Stevia:
Stevia can be grown from cuttings in either soil or water. This natural sweetener is a great addition to your herb garden.
17. Bay Laurel:
Bay laurel can be grown from a stem cutting. Cut a stem from the parent plant and plant it directly into the soil.
18. Catnip:
Your cats will thank you for this one! You can grow catnip from a stem planted directly in the soil.
19. Horseradish:
A small horseradish cutting planted in soil will give you a new plant. Just be careful as horseradish can be invasive.
20. Lemon Balm:
Just like mint, a lemon balm stem in water will quickly grow roots. This bee-favorite herb is a great addition to any garden.
Guide to Successful Herb Propagation:
Who’s ready for some green-thumbed fun? As we’ve traversed the world of herb propagation, we’ve come across a myriad of herbs that are just itching to be multiplied. However, as any seasoned gardener would tell you, successful propagation isn’t just about taking a cutting and plopping it in water or soil.
There’s a subtle art to it, a delicate dance between plant, person, and the elements. And fear not, budding botanists, for I come bearing the secrets of this dance.
As you embark on this enchanting journey, here are some indispensable “Propagation Pro Tips” to ensure your journey is both fruitful and enjoyable:
Choose Wisely:
The secret to successful propagation starts with the right choice. Opt for healthy, disease-free parent plants for cuttings. Remember, as the old saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, or in this case, the herb doesn’t grow far from the parent plant!
Maintain the Moisture & Light:
Think of this as the plant version of a spa day. Ensure your cuttings are kept moist and in indirect sunlight until roots develop. Too much direct sunlight could send your little cuttings into shock. It’s all about that healthy glow, not a sunburn!
Patience, Padawan:
Plants may not understand deadlines, but they sure know how to test your patience. They work on what I like to call ‘photosynthesis time’. So, keep calm, carry on, and let nature do its thing.
Celebrate the Highs and Lows:
In the enchanting world of herb propagation, not every cutting will root, and that’s okay. Celebrate your failures as much as your victories. Consider these failures as stepping stones towards becoming a seasoned plant parent. So, raise a toast to the circle of life, the herb version!
There you have it, four handy pro tips to navigate the delightful journey of herb propagation.
And there you have it! Twenty easy-to-propagate herbs and a bunch of handy tips to start your propagation journey. So, go forth, plant parents, and multiply your green family with just a snip, snip here and a pot, pot there.
Remember, with herb propagation, you’re not just growing plants, you’re growing magic. So, what are you waiting for? Get your gardening shears, and let’s make some plant babies!