How to Propagate Rosemary: A Complete Guide

Rosemary is one of my favorite plants in the garden. This amazing evergreen herb is well known for fragrant aroma and culinary uses. Rosemary grows very will in a variety of conditions including pots, in gardens, in raised beds, or even indoors! You might be wondering “Can you propagate more rosemary from your garden?” Yes you can! In fact it’s a very easy plant to propagate if you follow a few simple steps.

3 Methods of Propagating Rosemary

There are three main ways I like to root new rosemary plants from my original plants: Cuttings, layering, and in water. The method i choose just depends on my situation but most of the time I prefer to take cuttings of rosemary for rooting. Sometimes the method will depend on convenience. While cooking this past Christmas we used rosemary to season our beef. After I stripped the leaves for seasoning the food I used the water method (see below) and rooted a couple new plants!

Taking cuttings of Rosemary

This is the most common and easiest way to propagate rosemary. Simply take a 4-6 inch stem cutting from a healthy rosemary plant, remove the lower leaves, and plant it in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix (other rooting mediums will work too). Keep the cutting moist and in a bright spot, and it should root in 4-6 weeks. To help keep a good measure of humidity around the cutting you can cover with a plastic bag or a cloche. You may find some success with smaller 2-3 inch cuttings as well.

Layering Rosemary

This method involves encouraging roots to grow on a branch of an existing rosemary plant without severing it from the parent plant. Make a small cut on a branch, apply rooting hormone (optional), and bury the portion below the cut in soil. Weigh down the branch with a stone or pin it down with a wire u-shaped pin.

Keep the soil moist and the branch should root in a few weeks. Once rooted, you can then cut the branch from the parent plant and pot it up.

The disadvantage of layering is that you have a smaller number of potential cuttings you can take. The advantage is that they still receive nutrients from the main plant and the success rate overall can much be higher.

Propagating Rosemary in water

You can also propagate rosemary by placing a stem cutting in a glass of water. Just make sure the bottom node (where the leaves meet the stem) is submerged in water. Change the water every few days and keep the cutting in a bright spot. Once roots form, you can then plant the cutting in a pot. This works very well but not all of the rosemary cuttings will make it. Remove any cuttings that are failing and continue with the one’s still alive.

I recommend that you take several cuttings at a time if using the water method to make sure you have enough in case a few don’t make it. The cutting method for rosemary always gives me better results than the water method.

Gardening Tips for Growing Rosemary

Rosemary originated in a Mediterranean climate so it’s care should mimic those conditions as best as possible!

• Use a well-draining potting mix: Rosemary does not like to sit in soggy soil, so it’s important to use a potting mix that drains well. A mixture of potting soil, perlite, and sand is a good option. Peat can retain moisture so avoid it for potting up your rosemary cuttings. If you are planting rosemary in the ground avoid areas that have trouble drying out. Clay can retain moisture so add more organic matter to the soil and create a better draining soil.
• Keep the cuttings moist but not soggy: Water the newly rooted cuttings regularly, but be careful not to overwater them. The soil should be moist but not wet to the touch.
• Provide plenty of sunlight: Rosemary is a sun-loving herb, so give your new plants plenty of bright light, ideally at least 6 hours per day. Also if you are in the northern hemisphere avoid planting rosemary on the north side of your home where the house blocks the light. The opposite holds true for the southern hemisphere!
• Pinch back the stems: Once your rosemary plants have rooted and had some time to get established, pinch back the stems regularly to encourage bushier growth. The more you use the more you grow!

11 Amazing Ways to Use Rosemary in the Garden

In addition to the above tips, here are some other suggestions and ideas for gardeners who want to grow rosemary!

1. Create a fragrant border: Planting rosemary alongside other low-growing herbs like thyme and lavender not only creates a vibrant border but also fills the air with a delightful fragrance. The combination of different textures and colors adds visual interest to the landscape while attracting beneficial pollinators.
2. Edge pathways: Utilizing low-growing rosemary varieties as edging plants or a hedge along pathways. This not only defines the walkway better but creates a sensory experience! As visitors brush against the fragrant foliage, the aroma of rosemary enhances the journey, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. Consider planting rosemary around patios and gathering areas as well. The rosemary fragrance can have some pest repellent properties when planted in enough quantity!
3. Fill sunny slopes and banks: Mass planting rosemary varieties suitable for ground cover on sunny slopes and banks not only prevents soil erosion but also transforms these areas into visually striking features of the landscape. The cascading foliage adds texture and depth while the aromatic scent adds to the overall allure of the space.
4. Design a Mediterranean-inspired garden: Pairing rosemary with other Mediterranean plants like lavender, sage, and oregano creates a garden reminiscent of sunny Mediterranean landscapes. The combination of these aromatic herbs not only evokes a sense of warmth and relaxation but also provides a habitat for beneficial insects, enhancing the ecological balance of the garden.
5. Craft a topiary: Training rosemary into unique shapes like spirals or balls adds a touch of formality and elegance to the landscape. These sculpted rosemary plants serve as focal points, drawing the eye and adding architectural interest to gardens, patios, or entryways. This takes patience and time to do properly and may not be for all gardeners (I’m directing this at myself).
6. Attract pollinators: The fragrant flowers of rosemary serve as a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing the biodiversity of the garden. I’ve noticed that smaller metallic bees seem to really enjoy the flowers of rosemary when it’s in bloom. These little bees do an significant amount of pollinating so anything to attract them is a great thing!
7. Plant in containers: Rosemary’s adaptability to container gardening makes it an ideal choice for adding greenery and fragrance to patios, balconies, or indoor spaces. Placing potted rosemary near sunny windows allows for easy access to fresh herbs while infusing the surroundings with its invigorating scent. Planting rosemary in containers also allows you to bring the plants indoors to enjoy during the winter.
8. Integrate rosemary into a kitchen garden: Including rosemary in your vegetable garden provides easy access to fresh herbs for culinary purposes while adding visual interest with its evergreen foliage. Placing rosemary near vegetables also acts as a natural pest deterrent, protecting your crops from unwanted visitors. I recommend that you avoid planting rosemary and basil next to each other as they tend to inhibit each others growth.
9. Plant near doorways and walkways: Positioning rosemary near entryways or walkways allows you to enjoy its pleasant fragrance every time you pass by. The aromatic oils released when brushing against the foliage create a welcoming atmosphere, inviting guests into your home or garden with its refreshing scent.
10. Utilize rosemary stems for grilling: Incorporating woody rosemary stems as skewers for grilling infuses a distinct flavor into your food, elevating your outdoor cooking experience. The aromatic oils released from the heated rosemary enhance the taste of meats and vegetables, adding a delicious Mediterranean twist to your dishes.
11. Fend off destructive animals: Deer and rabbits don’t enjoy rosemary. By planting it near and around other plants you may be able to offer those plants some masking protection. Nothing is 100% effective against deer except a really tall fence but rosemary does help!