Propagate Herbs Now For Yearlong Enjoyment - Indiana Yard and Garden - Purdue Consumer Horticulture

Propagate Herbs Now For Yearlong Enjoyment

Herb gardeners can snip fresh herbs throughout the winter by propagating their garden plants now.

There are several approaches to overwintering plants. One easy method is to dig up a plant, or a portion of one, and pot it up. Plants such as chives, lemon balm, mint, burnet and sweet woodruff can be lifted and divided into sections to create more plants. Dividing is a fairly foolproof method of propagation because both roots and shoots are already formed. Leggy plants should be pruned back about halfway to encourage new growth.

Many herbs can be propagated by cuttings for rooting indoors. This method works especially well for plants too large to move in their entirety. Plants such as basil, oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme and sage root easily from shoot tip cuttings. Take the cutting at a node on the stem (where the leaves attach), because this is where root formation is more abundant. Remove the lower leaves and insert the cut end of the stem into moist media such as soil mix, vermiculite or perlite. Cover the container with plastic to help increase relative humidity. If the plastic lays on the foliage, it can decay. Place the pot in a warm, shaded location.

Some herbs, including mint, lemon balm and thyme propagate easily by layering. Bend a stem to the ground, remove leaves from that stem section, cover the section with soil, and water gently. The new plant will be nourished by the mother plant until it is ready to survive on its own. Leave about 6 inches of the upper portion of the stem above ground and upright. If necessary, stake stems to hold them in place, or put a rock or other heavy object on top of the mound. To help stimulate faster rooting, cut a wound just below a node on the stem portion to be buried. Once rooted, the new plant can be severed from the mother plant and potted for indoor growing.

Herbs can be grown indoors, but will need a well-lit location, especially when they are first brought inside. Even a sunny window may not match the light intensity of a lightly shaded outdoor location. Indoors, a sunny southern exposure would be ideal. Supplemental or artificial lighting may be needed. Special plant-growing light bulbs can be purchased, but the same results can be achieved by using a combination of warm white and cool white fluorescent lights.

Most herbs thrive in infertile soil and do not require extra fertilizer in the garden. However, if planted in one of the soil-less potting mixtures commonly used today, some fertilizer may be necessary. A balanced, low-analysis fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or 6-10-4 should be sufficient. Read the product label for application specifics.

Although herbs differ in their moisture needs, your finger can be a guide. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry (crumbles) when pinched. Apply enough water so that some drains from the bottom of the pot, thus washing away any excess salts.

 Categories:

Share This Article
Disclaimer: Reference to products is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in these articles assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907

© 2024 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture at homehort@purdue.edu | Accessibility Resources