Growing Herbs From Cuttings

Many plants do not produce viable seed or, if they do, it is so fiddly or slow to grow that it is easier and quicker to take cuttings from your favorite plant. Always keep your new cuttings moist and in a warm, sunny place.

Excerpted from Simple Steps: Herbs
Filed under: Herbs, Gardening

Propagating Mint Suckers

1. Remove suckers from containerized plants as they root if they touch bare soil (Image 1). Keep one or two for cuttings, but take care where you dispose of the rest as they grow well on the compost heap.

2. Cut just above a leaf node into segments 2-3/4 to 4 in (7 to 10 cm) long and insert four or five into each small pot, so that at least one pair of small young leaves are above the surface (Image 2).

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Herbs © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited
Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Herbs © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Pinching Out

Sometimes there may not be adequate cutting material available. New side shoots will grow quite quickly if the top 2 to 4 in (5 to 10 cm) is pinched out. These shoots might even make good cuttings themselves.