Skip to main content

These are the best herbs to grow from cuttings

Growing herbs from seeds during the spring around the last frost can be an extremely rewarding process. However, once the temperatures steadily climb during the summer, planting herbs can be trickier since germination is more difficult in hot weather. One of the quickest and easiest ways to grow herbs during the summer is by taking healthy cuttings from established plants. After two weeks in soil or water, most cuttings take root and start shooting out new leaves. Ahead, learn all about how propagating herbs work and which herbs grow best from cuttings.

How propagation works

Growing plants from seeds

Seed propagation

There are two types of propagation: seed propagation and vegetative propagation. Seed propagation, or sexual propagation, is just what it sounds like — you basically start a new plant from seed. Through pollination and fertilization, you essentially have seeds that are genetically different from the parent plants.

Related Videos
Cabbage stems in plastic containers of water, growing leaves

Vegetative propagation

Vegetative propagation is basically asexual propagation. It encompasses root division as well as growing plants by way of cuttings. Essentially, this produces a genetically identical plant to the parent plant. Creating a brand new plant through cuttings is often faster, easier, and lower maintenance. To regenerate a new plant, you can take stems, leaves, or roots of an established plant, depending on the species.

The most straightforward way to propagate a cutting is to take a stem with several leaves, pluck the lower leaves off, and place the plant in water or soil — a rooting hormone may help but isn’t usually necessary. As long as you keep the foliage dry, give your cutting bright light, and change the water weekly, your plant should root. Propagating herbs is incredibly easy and can be done in a sunny spot of your home. Plus, taking cuttings your original plants encourages them to grow back thicker and bushier!

Best herbs for propagating

Basil

As an annual, basil only lasts for one growing season. However, you can keep your basil supply steady by taking cuttings and you’ll be set for all of your pizza and pasta recipes! Grab a cutting four to six inches long, then pick off the lower leaves and place the stem in water, preferably filtered water for the best results. After two weeks, your plant should be ready for soil, although you can also directly place your basil cutting into soil! If you’re going for the direct-to-soil method, give your cutting plenty of humidity, whether it’s with a humidifier or by way of placing a wet plastic bag or cloche over your container.

Rosemary cutting with roots

Rosemary

Whether you’re stuffing it inside a roasted chicken or adding it to your sauces, rosemary is one of the most versatile kitchen herbs. The great news is, it’s pretty easy to propagate! Clip off four-inch cuttings of relatively healthy new growth, and strip off the leaves from the lower third of your cutting. Place your cuttings in water or directly into moist, well-draining soil. If you’re going with the second route, make sure to keep the soil constantly wet but never soggy. After your plant takes roots in roughly 10 to 14 days, you can allow the soil to dry out slightly before you water.

Mint

Grow mint during the spring or early summer to freshen up your salads and cocktails throughout the warm-weather season. To take a mint cutting, snip a four-inch stem from a mint plant and pick off two to three lower leaves. Place your cutting in water and wait for roots to appear before transplanting your cutting into soil. In two weeks, roots should appear. You can also put the unrooted nodes directly into a planter, as long as you consistently water the soil before the cutting establishes roots.

Green onion

Green onions are some of the easiest plants to propagate. All you have to do is grab a bundle on your next grocery trip, cut off the green part for garnishing your food, then place the white root end down into a jar of water and set it by a windowsill. In weeks, the green part should grow back! To keep your plant alive for longer, place it in soil once the leaves reach four to five inches so it can receive nutrients. If you solely keep it in water, it will eventually weaken and die.

Person kneeling cutting lavender with small clippers

Lavender

Keep calm and carry on with lavender! With lavender, you can take softwood cuttings or hardwood cuttings. A softwood cutting is when you take the soft, pliable tips of new growth, while a hardwood cutting is when you snip off the woody part of the plant. Softwood cuttings may root faster, but hardwood cuttings may survive longer. Either way, use a sterile pair of scissors to cut off four-inch flowerless stems. Remove leaves from the bottom two inches and scrape off the skin from one side. Then, place your cuttings in well-draining soil and water it when it dries out. Lavender appreciates extra humidity, so put a cloche or plastic bag over your cuttings to mimic a greenhouse environment.

Growing herbs from cuttings is a great way to get delicious herbs quickly and easily. Plus, you’ll save money — once you get the hang of propagating, you’ll cut back on trips to your garden center for seeds and visits to your grocery store for fresh produce. Whether you’re taking cuttings from basil or lavender, all you need for successful propagation is a healthy stem, bright light, and clean water for developing strong roots!

Editors' Recommendations

Easy hoya plants to add to your indoor plant collection
Common hoyas and how to care for them properly
Hoya pubicalyx

With straightforward care, glossy leaves, and gorgeous blooms, hoyas, or wax plants, are one of the most beloved houseplants out there. These semi-succulent plants can thrive even through occasional periods of neglect. They seldom need more than well-draining potting mix and thorough watering, which makes them ideal for plant enthusiasts who want something beautiful, yet low maintenance. Ahead, we've rounded up the easiest hoya plants to add to your collection, breaking down care requirements for each.

Hoya pubicalyx
Native to the Philippines, the hoya pubicalyx is relatively unfussy. Its speckled flat green leaves look great trailing from a hanging basket. As long as you fertilize throughout the growing season and keep your plant in indirect sunlight, you should see relatively quick growth. When it’s time to bloom, the pubicalyx will push out dusty pink, star-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. You should water your plant when the soil dries out and the leaves feel slightly limp — remember to dump out excess water to prevent root rot.

Read more
Are these common houseplants safe for your cat? Read this guide to find out the scoop
Which houseplants to avoid if you have a curious cat
Indoor plant collection

Bringing new plants into your home is an exciting part of being a gardener, but you may not be the only one taking an interest in your plants. If you have a curious kitty, you might need to worry about them chewing on your houseplants. This isn’t great for your plants, of course, but it can also harm your cat! While some plants are harmless to chew on, others are toxic. If you want to know if your houseplants are safe for cats, you’re in luck. Here’s a list of some of the most common houseplants and how safe they are for cats.

Cat-safe houseplants
Spider plants are low-maintenance houseplants safe for your cat to nibble on. While you should still try to keep your kitty from eating too much of it, this is more for the plant’s sake than theirs.

Read more
These are the most popular indoor plants of 2023 – add one or all to your collection
Trendy houseplants of 2023 that you need for your home
A small collection of houseplants

It’s time to start looking forward to the next year, and that includes looking for new indoor plants. Whether you just want to know what plants you can expect to see in stores or are looking for a gift for the plant lover in your life and aren’t sure where to start, we can help! We’ve got the inside scoop from Breanna Sherlock, an in-house plant expert for the plant care app Planta. Here are the top five plants you can expect to see rise in popularity during 2023.

Hoya
Hoyas are fantastic plants that come in a wide range of varieties. From beginner-friendly, low-maintenance hoyas to more challenging and finicky varieties, there’s a hoya for every home gardener! With their diverse appearances, hoyas can match even the most specific interior decor themes.

Read more