Rosemary is one of the best plants for your garden. It has a very pleasant smell and can keep many pests away. It can also be used in aromatherapy and has other medicinal properties too. Plus, it’s easily found and cheap, making it a perfect choice for your garden.
The aromatic herb can grow up to 4 feet in height. It can be grown from cuttings, so if you have anyone that has a full-grown rosemary, you can propagate it easily. Why buy it when there’s already one ready for planting? In this guide, we’ll tell you how to propagate rosemary properly, turning one plant into dozens.
How to Propagate Rosemary Properly
- Choose the best shoots from the mother plant
This one’s an essential step. Always get the greenest parts and avoid those that look dry or brown.
- Get stem cuttings
Cut the stem about 6 inches from its sprouting position in the ground. Be careful not to cut any roots. If needed, cut more pieces and put them in water as well.
- Get rid of the lower leaves
Cut about 2 inches off the rosemary base and get rid of the lower leaves. You don’t need them.
- Put the cuttings in water
Hydration is pretty important in this phase. Put the cuttings in water and away from sunlight. Pour new water every few days to keep them fresh and hydrated. Make sure that they’re on room temperature at least. In ideal conditions, they should sprout in a few weeks. Those that don’t survive will turn brown.
- Pot the stem cuttings once fully developed
Once your rosemary cuttings are all grown up, it’s time to plant them in a pot. You’ll need to put them in a sandy mix – a bit of sharp sand and all-purpose soil. In essence, this is the same mix for growing cacti. Put the cuttings in a 4-inch pot and water them regularly.
Caring for Your Rosemary Plant
While rosemary is not that needy of a plant, you should keep it hydrated when the soil is dry and give it plenty of light. If you’re planting it in the winter, you’ll need grow lights to nurture it. Also, make sure you mist it regularly. Whenever the plant feels a bit down, a few sprays of water will do it nicely, especially in the winter. Rosemary likes the air a bit humid, so don’t forget that.
Organic insecticidal soap will keep red mites, whiteflies, and aphids away from your plant. You can spot treat it with ease whenever you spot the pests.
To prevent dry outs and over-fruiting, put at least an inch of space between watering for your plant’s roots. If the room where it’s in has poor circulation, a fan will help.
If you’re bringing a new rosemary plant home, quarantine is essential. Put them in an isolated spot for at least three weeks. Make sure it’s a spot free of any pests or hitchhikers before growing the plant with the others in your garden.
