Basic guidlelines for propagating herb plants.

Many perennial herbs can be propagated from seed or by division, layering and cuttings.

Dividing Perennial Herbs

Early Spring is the best time to make divisions. Dividing can also be done in early Fall.

• Dig and lift the parent plant.
• Depending on size, cut or break apart sections of the crown and roots. Then replant.

TIPS: Bulbous roots of chives and garlic can be pulled apart and replanted. Fleshy-rooted herbs, such as horseradish, ginger and lovage, should be dug up and sliced apart with a sharp knife, then replanted.

Layering Perennial Herbs

You can propagate many herbs easily by layering. These include rosemary, marjoram, chamomile, horehound, hyssop, sage, santolina, clove pink, winter savory and thyme.

• Select a stem near the base of the parent plant (leave selected stem attached to plant).
• Now, pull off side branches and leaves from selected stem, and then press the stem into the soil.
• Place a stone atop, or pin stem down with wire.
• Keep soil moist until the layered stem roots.
• Sever the newly rooted plant from the parent and move it to its new location.

Growing Herbs From Cuttings

Many herbs can be started from cuttings. These include scented geraniums, lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena, curry plant, hyssop, clove pink, rue, santolina, artemesia, sage, myrtle and shrubby thymes.

• Take 3-inch stem cuttings from healthy, nonwoody shoots (new growth)
• Make your cut 1/4 inch below a leaf node and pull off the leaves that are at the nodes that will be below the surface of the rooting medium (preferably a premium potting mix with extra vermiculite added).
• (Optional) - Dip base of your dry stem, including the node area, in a rooting hormone powder to stimulate rooting. Tap off excess powder, since too much rooting hormone can inhibit rooting. TIP: Pour a small amount of the rooting hormone into a clean container to prevent contamination of all of your rooting hormone.
• Now, poke a hole in the moist planting soil or rooting medium and insert cutting. TIP: The best rooting medium is half perlite and half sphagnum peat moss mix.
• If you are not growing in a greenhouse, cover growing container and cutting with a plastic bag tent to maintain high humidity. Place unit in a warm area with indirect light. Check the rooting medium/soil every day or so to make sure it remains moist. Rooting can take from a few days up to several months.
• After a few weeks, test for rooting by gently tugging at the cutting. If there is resistance, rooting has started and the plastic cover may be removed.