Easy Garden: Propagate Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - 3 Easy Ways

This perennial is easy to grow in full sun and well drained, light soil. Three ways to propagate rosemary are: from seeds, from cuttings and by layering.

1. From seeds: germination of the rosemary seeds is extremely slow and so is the growing of the tiny seedlings. That’s why this is the least favorite of the three choices. Although, if you have patience and want to try and grow your own seedlings or test different species of Rosmarinus, go ahead and give it a try. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the package.

2. From stem cuttings: cut the soft wood at the tip of the branch (2 to 6 inches long). Remember that shorter cuttings mean more compact plants. There are two more basic rules that should not be ignored: use a clean, sharp knife to cut and the mildest strength hormone rooting powder for softwood cuttings (if any). The material for rooting should be sterile (perlite, washed sand, powdered styrofoam, vermiculite, or a mixture of any of those in equal proportions). Do not pack the material tightly around the stems to prevent damaging during removal of the rooted cuttings. Before planting the cuttings, strip at least half of the leaves from the stem. Insert into a rooting material about half stem deep, angled at about 45 degrees.

3. Simple layering: is the simplest way of propagation with rosemary. It almost never fails. Simply choose the branch that will bend easily to touch the ground. Dig a small hole and press the branch in it. Fill the depression with soil and firm well. To keep the branch in place and preventing the new roots from being lifted out of the ground put the rock or a brick over the buried branch spot. See the photo at: http://www.thesunflowergardens.com/page/page/3768454.htm/ Water well. Six to eight weeks later your new plant should have enough roots for the attachment to the parent plant to be cut. Young rosemary is now ready to be transplanted to a new spot.

In a warm, sunny climate your rosemary will grow fast and year round. You will have plenty for flavor in the kitchen as well as aboundance of cuttings to put it in the vase and have that naturally fresh and clean smell in your home.