Fresh rosemary is one among the foremost flavorful and fragrant herbs within the kitchen. find out how to require rosemary cuttings from a longtime mother plant and grow new plants in containers which will be moved outside in summer and indoors in winter.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) may be a perennial herb in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and warmer where it are often planted within the garden and may grow 4 feet tall and spreads about 4 feet wide counting on the variability .

For those folks gardening in colder zones, growing rosemary in containers allows us to bring it in during the winter to stay it alive.

My rosemary plant goes on seven years old this year. It grows during a container spends the summer outside on the porch. The rosemary plant is brought inside when the weather turns cold in fall, and it overwinters on a south-facing windowsill.

By the time spring rolls around, the rosemary usually looks raggedy from reduced light and warmth fluctuations. Sometimes numerous needles dry up and drop off that i’m wondering if it can possibly survive.

Once warmer weather arrives, the rosemary plant is hardened off, and returned outside for summer. After only a couple of weeks, it begins to grow new shoots, and therefore the branches fill in with thicker foliage. i’m amazed whenever it happens.

This is the right time to start out a replacement batch of plants. These fresh, green stems are those you would like to pick for softwood stem cuttings.

Benefits of Growing Rosemary Plants from Stem Cuttings

Instead of purchasing a replacement rosemary plant per annum or starting new plants from seeds, try growing your own from stem cuttings. a number of the advantages of growing rosemary from cuttings vs. ranging from seeds include:

1. Earlier Harvest: A rooted rosemary plant from a cutting will mature quicker than a plant started from a seed. Rosemary seeds tend to possess low germination rates and take an extended time to sprout and grow. A rosemary stem cutting will reach a usable size in only a couple of months, so you’ll be ready to harvest rosemary sooner.
2. Same because the Mother Plant: The rosemary plant you’ll grow from cuttings is going to be a particular just like the mother plant and have an equivalent flavor, disease resistance, and growth.
3. Extra Plants for Free: one plant can provide numerous cuttings without risking the health of the plant. So you’ll line your kitchen windowsill with several plants which will smell wonderful once you brush your hand against them.

How to Grow Rosemary from Cuttings

Here are steps to taking rosemary cuttings from a longtime mother plant and grow new rosemary plants in containers that will be moved outside in summer and indoors in winter.

Step 1: Select new shoots from the mother plant

Choose healthy stems with fresh growth. The younger shoots will have green stems that are flexible. Avoid older brown, woody stems.

Step 2: Take stem cuttings

Use sharp scissors and snip the rosemary stem about 5 to 6-inches back from a fresh growing tip. Cut many extra stems just in case some fail to grow roots.

Step 3: Strip the lower leaves

Grasp your fingers around the stem, and gently strip off the lower 2-inches of needles from the stem of the rosemary cutting.

Step 4: Place cuttings in water

Stick the stems during a jar of water and place the jar in a warm place far away from direct sunlight. Change the water every couple of days, replacing it with temperature water. The water provides dissolved oxygen and prevents the cuttings from rotting.

The rosemary stem cuttings should grow roots during a few weeks counting on the temperature. It can take longer in colder temperatures. After 4 to eight weeks it should be apparent if the rosemary cuttings have survived. The cuttings that don’t survive are going to be brown and shed needles. If your rosemary cutting remains alive, provides it some longer .

Step 5: Pot up the stem cuttings once roots develop

Your rosemary cuttings are able to place in soil once you see 4 to six roots on each stem that are a minimum of 1/2-inch long. Use a sandy soil mix that drains well. Mix equal parts all-purpose potting soil and sharp sand. Or use cactus-potting soil. Use a sandy soil mix that drains well. Mix equal parts all-purpose potting soil and sharp sand. Or use cactus-potting soil.

Fill a 4-inch pot with slightly damp potting soil for every rosemary cutting. Use a pencil to form a 3 to 4-inch hole into the soil. Place the cutting within the hole with care to avoid damaging the roots. Cover gently and water thoroughly.

Place the newly potted rosemary plant in indirect light or in filtered sunlight until roots become established, then move to direct light, a minimum of 6 to eight hours per day. Keep the potting soil moist until you see new growth.
Let the new plants place on some growth before harvesting. Once the plant is 6-inches tall, harvest by cutting stems as required. New growth will continue forming on the stem. Rosemary grows slowly so don’t harvest quite 1/3 of the plant on just one occasion.

How to look after Rosemary Plants

Rosemary may be a rather robust plant once it’s established and growing. Here are some tips to stay your plant healthy and producing:

1. Grow during a sunny location. Rosemary thrives in 6-8 hours of the direct sun within the summertime.
2. Water when the soil feels dry. Once established, rosemary likes to remain on the dry side. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering, then water thoroughly.
3. Re-pot because the plant gets larger and therefore the roots fill the container. A rosemary plant that grows during a container can reach 1 to three feet high. Just keep transplanting to a bigger container when the roots fill the pot.
4. Prune rosemary frequently. The more you trim, the bushier the plant grows. Prune the plant after it flowers to stay it compact.

Tips for Growing Rosemary Indoors in Winter

Rosemary is native to Mediterranean climates so it prefers a hot, sunny, and humid atmosphere. Here are some tips for keeping your rosemary plants alive indoors during winter:

1. quarantine: If you’ve got houseplants, it’s an honest idea to quarantine your rosemary plants once you bring them indoors. Keep the plants during a separate location for a short time to make certain there are not any hitchhikers, pests, or diseases.
2. Light: Locate your rosemary plants during a bright south-facing window. Alternatively, you’ll use grow lights and keep your plants happy during the winter months.
3. Water: attempt to keep the potting mix evenly moist. Overwatering will cause the plant to rot. If the soil is just too dry, the plant will wither and die. Water when the soil dries out at the surface and lets the additional moisture drain.
4. Temperature: Rosemary likes it a touch on the cooler side during the winter. Keep the plants far away from heat sources and wood stoves. About 60 to 65 degrees is right.
5. Humidity: Winter heating keeps us warm, but it also saps moisture from the air and drops the humidity. Compensate by misting your rosemary plant frequently, running a humidifier, or placing your rosemary plant on a tray of pebbles and water to extend the humidity around your plant.
6. Pests and Diseases: Common pests for indoor rosemary plants are red spider mite mites, aphids, spittlebugs, and whiteflies. These pests suck on the plants and cause the foliage to wilt and dry up. Inspect your rosemary plants frequently for pests and control with organic insecticidal soap. Diseases like plant disease, mildew, and mold are all signs of an excessive amount of moisture and poor air circulation. Allow the highest inch of soil to dry out between watering, then water thoroughly allowing extra water to empty out of the rock bottom of the pot. Run a lover to enhance air circulation around your plants.

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 23, 2015. it’s BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, NEW PHOTOS, AND VIDEO.

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