Propagate herbs

Growing your own herbs

Rather than buying new herb plants, why not grow your own from cuttings? It's easy to make lots of new plants in summer when plants are growing actively with lots of plump, healthy shoots. Not only is this is an ideal way to replace old, worn out specimens, but it's a great way to keep your plants well-trimmed and productive. Herbs cuttings root easily and new plants can be used to replace tired specimens or fill gaps.

What to do

How to take herb cuttings

• Fill a pot with your compost mix and firm gently leaving a 1cm (1/2in) gap between the top of the compost and the pot.
• To make cuttings, remove healthy, pest and disease-free shoot tips that are about 10cm (4in) long.
• Trim off the lower leaves and cut cleanly beneath a leaf joint.
• Dip cut end into rooting hormone powder to improve its chances of rooting and insert five or six cuttings around the edge of the pot.
• Water and label.
• Take several cuttings of each herb to increase your chance of success.

Aftercare

• Put pots in a propagator or secure a clear plastic bag around the pot. An elastic band will hold it in place.
• Cuttings should have rooted within eight weeks and can then be potted into individual pots.

Five to try

• Sage
• Lemon verbena
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Lavender