Learn about 5 Easy Ways of Propagating Herbs
- Author: Saiqa Najeeb
- Last Updated On: July 11, 2023
Homegrown herbs are unmatched in terms of flavor and freshness. Regularly sowing and collecting herbs like coriander, chervil dill, parsley, and basil adds freshness and brightness to your cuisine while reducing food miles to zero. Herb propagation is a satisfying approach to avoid the high costs of supermarket-bunched or container-grown herbs.
Herbs can be propagated using a variety of methods, including seeds, stem cuttings, root cuttings, layering, root division, and runners. Different herb kinds can be propagated more easily using one approach than another. Cuttings, layering, or division are commonly used to grow perennial herbs.
Continue reading to discover the top 5 ways of propagating herbs.
Starting Seed Outdoors
Herbs, both annual and biennial, can be propagated from seed. Seeds can be sown immediately in the garden in a warm climate; however, in New Hampshire, seeds can be sown outdoors in the spring only after all danger of frost has passed. Parsley, which is fairly hardy, can be planted directly outside. Seeds can also be started indoors in a greenhouse or cold frame. After the threat of frost has passed, seedlings can be placed outside.
Plant herb seeds in the same way you would vegetable seeds. Make a smooth, flat, weed-free seed bed before sowing the seeds. Seeds are typically sown at a depth twice the diameter of the seed. Tiny seeds, such as parsley, should be sown on the surface and lightly covered with freshly sifted dirt. Firm the dirt down and lightly mist the bed with water to avoid washing the soil off the seeds.
During germination, do not allow the seed bed to dry out. Seedlings should be pruned when they reach an inch in height or when true leaves appear. Following the processes outlined above for propagating herbs, certain perennial seeds can also be sown late in the autumn.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Herb seeds such as lavender, lemon thyme, tarragon, and most mints are available from a variety of sellers. They can be grown from seeds, but they are rarely used because alternative ways are more convenient.
Indoors, seeds can be started in any sort of container as long as it is clean, 2″-3″ deep, and has drainage holes. Begin with a sterile seedling media for propagating herbs. Seedling media can be purchased or prepared from scratch. Fill the jar with the medium until it is half an inch below the top. Then, at the depth mentioned above, sow the seeds. Fennel is a wonderful seed to start indoors because it requires more time to mature and generate a seed head. Whether you start seeds outdoors or indoors, remember to label the bed or container with the name of the herb and the date of planting.
The container can be watered from the bottom or from the top gently. Place the container in a plastic bag in a warm, well-lit area, or under fluorescent lighting. Maintain the moisture level in the medium. When the seeds germinate, remove the plastic bag and place the container in direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting.
When the seedlings have grown their true leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into small individual containers. (True leaves are the first pair of leaves to develop after the seed leaves). During the transplanting, avoid damaging the seedlings’ roots. Herbs, like vegetables, must be acclimated to the outdoors before being permanently relocated to the right spot in the garden.
Root Division
Root division is a common method of propagating herbs for herbaceous perennials like chamomile, herbs with creeping roots like mints, bergamot, and woodruff, and allium plants like chives. During the plant’s dormant season, either in spring or autumn, the roots are separated by carefully digging up the clumps and cutting them with a sharp knife. Perennial herbs such as lemon balm, burnet, chives, lovage, and mint should be divided every 2-4 years to avoid overcrowding in garden beds.
Stem Cuttings
Lavender, rosemary (a non-hardy, woody perennial), lemon balm, santolina, oregano, bay, rue, winter savory, lemon verbena, hyssop, sage, the thymes, beebalm, catnip, savory, scented geraniums, and foliage variants of sage (Russian sage) are the most common species propagated by stem cuttings.
It is ideal to take softwood cuttings for propagating herbs in late spring or early summer. Many aromatic herbs are softwood, including lemon balm, beebalm, and scented geranium. Early autumn is the optimal time to take semi-hardwood cuttings. Lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena, bay, and other shrubby herbs are examples of semi-hardwood herbs. Midday is the greatest time to take stem cuttings because the plant is full of food. Water the plant two hours before taking cuttings if possible.
Avoid taking cuttings from flowering stems. Always take cuttings from healthy established stock plants growing inside or in the garden. New tip growth is the best cutting material. Always check that the knife or pruning shears are sharp before making the cut.
Cut right below a node (where the leaf meets the stem). A 3-5″ cutting with two or more nodes is enough. Place the cutting in a sterile rooting media (e.g., a mixture of peat moss and sand). Firm the media around the stem, fully moisten, place in a plastic bag, and store at a temperature of 65-750 F away from direct sunshine. Depending on the species, the rooting period can range from 2-4 weeks.
Related: How to start your vegetable garden.
Layering
Layering is one of the most common methods of propagating herbs that are perennial and are widely used in home gardens including lavender, santolina, thyme, rosemary, santolina, hyssop, tarragon, southernwood, calamints, pennyroyal, winter savory, wintergreen, lemon balm, and sage. Layering is a method of propagation for plants that are difficult to root. The primary idea behind layering is to grow roots on a stem that is still connected to the parent plant. Take a robust stem and peg it near to the ground, then cover it with an inch of soil. Remember to water the layered plant. When new roots have grown, the newly growing plant should be removed. Layering can be done at any time of the year.
Related: Growing dill in pots.
Final Thoughts
Herbs have a multitude of benefits, from soothing teas to aromatic spices. By propagating the herbs rightly, you can enjoy bountiful herb harvests all year round. From stem cutting to layering, each technique offers unique value for the specific types of herbs, allowing you to expand your lush green spaces.
If you want your herb garden to thrive, use these propagation techniques to never run out of your herb collection. So, get ready to propagate your herbs with confidence.
