How to propagate Rosmarinus officinalis

Take a healthy, green, non-flowering rosemary tip below a node. Root it in draining medium and keep the cutting sheltered while roots form.

Plant coveredRosmarinus officinalisRosemary · outdoor garden

Choose a viable cutting, division, offset or seed

What plant material to use

Use healthy, green, flexible, non-flowering tip cuttings from an established plant, generally about 3–8 inches long. Cut below a node and avoid older woody stems.

Follow the method for this plant

How to propagate this plant

  1. Root stem cuttings in a clean, well-drained soilless or perlite-based medium. A water method is also described, but leaves must stay above the water.
  2. Keep the cutting in a bright but sheltered location away from full sun and strong wind, with the medium lightly damp but not saturated. A clear bag can hold humidity while roots form.
  3. Prepare a draining pot and medium, select a non-flowering green tip, cut below a node, strip the lower leaves, insert the stem, close a clear humidity cover, check moisture every few days, and transplant after a strong root system develops.

Check visible progress before moving the plant

Signs of roots or failure

Roots are expected in about 4–6 weeks in the NCSU method. A strong root system and new growth are the practical signs to move the cutting into its own pot.

A cutting that dries out or still lacks a strong root system at the source’s approximate rooting window is not ready for transplant. Not every cutting is expected to root.

Transfer the plant after roots have formed

Aftercare and hygiene

Sources