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Herbs Are Pricey! Time to Propagate and Grow Your Own
- Simply Herbs
- Jun 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 21
You wander into your local nursery with a dream: a cute little pot of basil for the windowsill, maybe some rosemary for the porch, and hey—wouldn’t a sprig of thyme be nice for a thyme steam?
You make your way to the herb section, and that familiar green smell hits you—fresh, earthy, and full of possibility. You peek at the tiny starter plants, pick one up, and turn over the tag.
$7.99. For one small basil.
You glance at the price tags, do a little mental math, and realize—those few herb pots in your basket are starting to add up.
But here’s the thing—herbs don’t have to be expensive. In fact, you can grow a whole garden’s worth for free, or pretty darn close to it. How? Through a simple and rewarding process called propagation.
🌱 What Is Propagation?
According to the fancy folks over at Cambridge Dictionary:
Propagation: The act of producing a new plant from a parent plant.
Translation: You see your friend’s thriving mint plant? You say, “Wow, Carol, that mint looks amazing,” and then snip snip or dig dig—you’re walking away with a cutting like the herbal bandit you were born to be. Stick it in some dirt or water, and boom—your own mint empire begins. And the best part? It’s FREE. And we love free. Free is basically the holy grail of herbalism.
🌿 Why Propagate Instead of Starting From Seed?
Starting herbs from seed is a wonderful option—if you have the time, tools, and let’s be honest, the patience. But if you’ve tried it before and ended up with an empty tray and a lot of questions (been there!), propagation might be the easier path.
Here’s why propagation wins:
It’s free (or at most, “coffee-for-a-friend” cheap).
It’s faster than growing from seed.
It’s less risky—you’re starting with a piece of a healthy, established plant.
You feel cool doing it (tell someone you’re propagating and watch them think you’re a plant genius).
✂️ How to Propagate Herbs (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Here’s a simple step-by-step to get you started:
Find your target: A friend, relative, or local herb-grower with a plant you want. Don’t be shy—herb people are usually more than happy to share. Plus, it gives them an excuse to brag about their plants.
Take a Cutting or Division: Depending on the herb, you can either snip or dig. For soft-stemmed herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary, use clean scissors or garden shears to snip a healthy 4–6 inch stem, ideally just below a leaf node. Remove lower leaves. Gently pinch off any leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. You don’t want any leaves sitting in water or soil—they can rot and make things messy. For herbs that grow in clumps—like chives, oregano, or lemon balm—you can dig out a small section of the root system using your hands or a trowel, gently separating it from the rest of the plant. Either way, you're borrowing a little piece to start something new!
Choose a Rooting Method: There are two simple ways to get those roots going:
Water Method: Place the cutting in a small jar or glass of water. Change the water every few days, and keep the jar in a warm, bright spot (but not direct sunlight). Within a week or two, you should see tiny roots starting to form.
Soil Method: Dip the cut end in a natural root booster (more on that below), then plant it in moist potting soil. Keep the soil damp and the plant in a warm, bright location. Covering it with a plastic bag can help hold in humidity and encourage rooting.
🍯 Natural Rooting Boosters: Because Who Needs Lab Chemicals?
Now, if you want to give your cuttings a little extra “oomph,” some folks use commercial root hormone powders. Nothing wrong with that—but if you prefer to keep things natural (and avoid needing a chemistry degree to read the label), here are my top two root-friendly kitchen MVPs:
Cinnamon – Yup, your spice rack has more than just French toast potential. Cinnamon helps prevent rot and fungus on your cuttings—and let’s be honest, it smells like comfort and garden magic.
Honey – It’s not just for tea. Honey has natural antibacterial properties and creates a barrier that helps stimulate root growth. I’m a beekeeper, so I’m legally required to tell you this is the superior method (just kidding—but not really).
Right now, I’m testing both methods in a totally scientific (read: small glass jars on my windowsill) experiment. Rosemary has been dipped in honey and put directly into the soil and the basil’s trying the water method. Stay tuned for results—or failures. Either way, it’s going on the blog.
Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong? (Besides Everything)
Don’t worry, most herbs are forgiving. But here are a few things to watch for:
Brown or slimy stems = time to toss it and try again.
No roots after weeks = it might not be getting enough light or warmth.
Mold or fuzz = change the water more often or try cinnamon.
Remember, gardening is just science with dirt and hope. You're allowed to mess up.
🌿 Herbs That Propagate Well
Some herbs are easier to propagate than others. Here are a few great beginner-friendly options:
Basil – Almost always roots in water. Great for sunny windowsills.
Mint – Grows like crazy. Almost too well. Proceed with joy and caution.
Rosemary – A little slower to root, but very rewarding. Honey helps.
Oregano – Roots easily in both water and soil.
Thyme – Best rooted in soil but can work in water too.
These herbs don’t just grow well—they’re also super versatile in the kitchen, making them perfect staples for your garden.
🌞 Final Thought: Share Your Herbs, People!
One of the best things about propagation? It’s a beautiful excuse to share. Propagation isn’t just practical—it’s empowering. You’re taking what you have and making more of it. And in a world where everything seems to cost more each season, that’s a pretty wonderful feeling.
You don’t need to spend a small fortune to enjoy the magic of fresh herbs. With a few cuttings, a little light, and a splash of water, you can grow a beautiful, bountiful herb garden right at home.
If you’ve got a thriving herb garden, spread the green love. Clip a stem, give a plant baby to your friend. It doesn’t hurt you, it helps them, and you get cool plant karma. Plus, let’s be honest—propagating plants feels kind of magical. Like you're a wizard with pruning shears.
So next time you walk into a garden center and see that $9 rosemary starter, just smile. You’ve got this covered.
Now go forth and multiply…your herbs.
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