Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) is an evergreen perennial aromatic shrub native to the North and south coasts. “Rosemary” is of Latin origin, which means “dew of the sea.”
Historically, its herbs have been used in rituals and for medicinal purposes by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Rosemary is cultivated in the Mediterranean region, and it is best planted in a sunny position and must be protected from cold winds.
Rosemary is commonly used as a spice and flavoring agent in food processing. It is often paired with chicken and other poultry like lamb, pork, steak, and fish. Rosemary can also be paired with onions, peas, potatoes, and spinach, and it has a long history of culinary and medicinal uses.
Rosemary can be grown outdoors as a perennial shrub in warmer conditions, while in cold areas, it should be kept indoors.
Can Rosemary Be Grown From Cuttings?
Rosemary can be grown from cuttings which also means propagating. Propagating simply means breeding a plant identical to its parent plant using cutting, dividing, or layering.
Rosemary is straightforward to Propagate and used to grow roots within a few weeks. Some plants are more accessible to propagate than others, but with rosemary, a little patience is required.
The best time to propagate Rosemary from cuttings is spring after the plants have flowered.
How To Propagate Rosemary From Cuttings
To Propagate Rosemary from cuttings, you will need.
- A small pot or growing area with some potting soil.
- Water
- Rooting Hormone (Optional)
Note that propagating Rosemary from cuttings is a lengthy process and could take up to a year or more depending on the strategy taken.
Step-by-step On How To Propagate Rosemary From Cuttings
1 . Get hold of some Rosemary. Cut off some healthy nonflowering sprigs of Rosemary either from an existing plant or from a grocery store.
2 . Take stem cuttings. Use a pair of pruners or sharp scissors and strip the Rosemary stems from a fresh growing tip. To avoid failure of some roots, cut plenty of extra stems.
3 . Remove lower leaves from the stem cut. Gently strip off the lower 2 inches of needles from the Rosemary cuttings.
4 . Place cuttings in water. Place Cuttings in water or a pot with soil and keep moist for a few weeks until mature roots have grown before planting.
5 . Store the stem pot in a humid climate and weather occasionally for 6-8 weeks. After 6-8 weeks, give the plants a gentle tub. If they resist, the roots are forming nicely, and it’s best to put each plant in its pot when new growth starts to develop.
How To Propagate Rosemary From Rosemary Seeds
Rosemary is not often propagated from Rosemary Seeds because they hardly germinate.
- Soak seeds in warm water overnight.
- Scatter the seeds across the soil in two- to four-inch pots
- Cover it lightly with a top plastic lid or humidity dome.
- Waif for germination, which may take up to a year.
How To Propagate Rosemary By Layering
1 . Select a long healthy branch from a mature Rosemary plant.
2 . Bend the stem down to the ground and dig a hole deep enough to bury the stem where the branch touches the soil.
3 . Use a section of the stem that will be buried. Use a sharp knife to scrape the outer layer of the stem. Be careful not to cut through the stem; this is where the roots will start to grow.
4 . Bury the cut portion of the stem in the soil using a stake or height to hold the branch down in place.
5 . Keep the soil moist and occasionally check for root development. After a root ball has formed, cut the stem away from the Rosemary mother plant.
6 . Transfer to a new location.
How To Propagate Rosemary In Potting Soil
1 . Fill up a 4- inch pot with high-quality potting mix and water until it is saturated.
2 . Dip the stems of each cutting into rooting powder (optional). Make sure you stick 3-4 cuttings keeping them spaced about 1 inch deep
3 . Keep the soil moist and keep it in a location to prevent cuttings from drying out. Look out for when the cuttings start to look stressed, and if that happens, mist with a spray bottle every 1-2 days or keep in a plastic bag to cover the soil to retain moisture.
4 . Transfer the plants to a new location.
How To Propagate Rosemary Cuttings In Water
1 . Fill up a jar with 1.2 inches of water.
2 . Do not allow the leaves to be in the water. Instead, submerge the stems of each cutting in the water. Make sure to change the water every few days until its roots begin to develop. Keep indoors under direct sunlight.
3 . Rooting should take place within 2-4 weeks.
4 . Transfer plants to a new location.
Uses of Rosemary
Rosemary is safe when taken in low doses but can lead to serious side effects when taken in large doses. It is therefore advisable to consult your doctor before adding Rosemary to your diet.
However, it is regarded as one of the oldest herbs and can be used for several purposes.
- Rosemary is often used for digestive purposes such as heartburn, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite.
- The distinctive aroma of Rosemary can be linked to improving and relieving stress.
- Rosemary can reverse headaches and helps in asthma and bronchitis treatment
- The use of Rosemary can be used in aromatherapy and chronic pain treatment.
- Extracts from the Rosemary oil can enhance menstrual flow and be used as amortization.
- Rosemary can be used to boost alertness, intelligence and focus.
- Rosemary can prevent staphylococcus infections and is robust against other bacterial infections.
- Rosemary helps to reduce the formation of cancer-causing agents.
- It helps in neurological problems.
- Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Pests/Diseases
- Bacterial leaf spots
- Aerial blight
- Thrips
- Spittlebug
- Whiteflies
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Scale
- Root rot
- Aphids
Frequently Asked Questions
1 . Can You Root Rosemary In Water?
It is possible to root Rosemary cuttings in water. All you have to do is make sure you change the water daily so bacteria won’t have a chance to build up.
2. How Do You Cut Rosemary Without Killing The Plants?
This is a tricky process that requires patience. The easiest way is to use a small pair of garden shears and clippers.
3. How Long Do Rosemary Plants Live?
A Rosemary plant can live for about 30 years.
4 . Can You Grow Rosemary In The Sun?
The Rosemary plant is tolerant of some shade and will not grow in partial shade. It requires full sun to bloom and thrive.
5 . How Do You Use Fresh Rosemary?
You can use fresh Rosemary in cooking because it seasons sowing in dishes like pork, steaks, salad, onions, spinach, and mushrooms.
6 . What Does Rosemary Pair Well With?
Lavender, oregano, sage, garlic, soups, stews, lentils, fish, chicken, eggs, bell peppers, eggplants, bay, etc.