By BRENDA One of my favourite herbs to include in my meals is rosemary.
Not only can it be added to savoury foods, but it also makes a beautiful, fragrant addition to tea.
Its aroma—earthy, slightly piney, and deeply comforting—is what makes it so versatile in the kitchen and beyond.
Beyond its culinary uses, rosemary holds something even more special for me.
I’ve come to appreciate how having an aromatic evergreen perennial shrub growing right in your home naturally encourages you to use it more often.
It becomes less of an occasional ingredient and more of a lifestyle habit.
And the best part? Growing rosemary is super duper easyyyyy.
You don’t need to be an experienced gardener or have fancy tools.
Let alone a big garden space.
Whether you live in a home with a backyard or simply have a sunny kitchen windowsill, rosemary can thrive with just a little care.
Let’s also take a moment to appreciate its health benefits.
Rosemary is rich in compounds like rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and camphor, all of which contribute to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Some studies even suggest potential cognitive-enhancing benefits.
I won’t lie—this is part of why I enjoy chewing on a small sprig in the morning.
It feels like a simple, natural way to lean into a healthier lifestyle.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through two simple ways to propagate rosemary:
- Water propagation
- Soil propagation
Whether you’re growing it for your kitchen, your garden, or simply for the joy of nurturing something green, this guide is for you.
1. Water Propagation
This is, without a doubt, one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to propagate rosemary.
Growing up, I was taught that plants must always start in soil that is, seeds go into the ground, and plants grow from there.
Or a plant, like say a banana plant which is widely consumed by people in Uganda, has to have its sucker dug into the ground for a full plant to emerge.
But when I started exploring gardening as a hobby (rather than a chore), I discovered a whole new world
Propagating plants in water.
And honestly?
It changed everything.
Why I Love Water Propagation
There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching roots grow in real time.
It gives you a sense of progress and reassurance that your plant is thriving.
Plus, let’s talk about aesthetics.
Placing rosemary cuttings in a transparent bottle or jar instantly elevates your space.
Add a few decorative stones, and suddenly your plant becomes part of your home décor.
I personally love keeping at least one rosemary plant on my kitchen windowsill
It can stay there for months, even up to a year, simply because it’s so beautiful to look at.
What You Will Need
- A clean bottle, jar, or tin
- Fresh water
- Rosemary cuttings (leaflets)
- A pair of scissors
Note:
The more cuttings you have, the wider the mouth of your container should be.
This ensures the stems sit comfortably and remain stable.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Take Your Cuttings
Cut rosemary sprigs from a healthy plant. Each cutting should have about 8–9 small branches (nodes). - Prepare the Stem
Remove the lower 2 branches at the base. This is the part that will sit in water and develop roots. - Place in Water
Insert the cut ends into your container filled with water. Ensure:- The stems are submerged
- No leaves are underwater (this prevents rot)
- Position the Container
Place your container in bright, indirect sunlight. A windowsill works perfectly. - Maintain Water Levels
Check regularly and top up the water as needed since it evaporates and is absorbed by the plant. - Change Water Weekly
This prevents bacterial growth.
What to Expect
Within 2–4 weeks, you’ll begin to see roots forming.
Once roots reach about 1–2 inches in length, you can transfer the plant into soil if you’d like.
Transferring to Soil
- Use well-draining soil in a pot
- Water the soil until it drains (avoid sogginess)
- Create small holes about 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart
- Gently place your rooted cuttings into the soil
For the first 2–3 weeks, water consistently (2–3 times a week) to help the plant adjust from a water environment to soil.
After about a month, you should see new leaf growth. You can test if the plant is rooted by gently tugging
If there’s resistance, it has successfully established itself.
2. Soil Propagation
If you’re looking for a slightly more traditional and often more reliable method, soil propagation is a great option.
Unlike water propagation, this method allows the plant to root directly in the environment it will continue growing in, reducing transplant shock.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Prepare Your Cuttings
Follow the same process:- Cut healthy rosemary sprigs
- Remove lower leaves
- Prepare the Soil
Use well-draining soil in a pot. Rosemary does not like soggy conditions, so drainage is key. - Plant the Cuttings
- Make small holes about 1 inch deep
- Space them about 3 inches apart
- Insert the cut ends into the soil
- Create a Greenhouse Effect
Cover the pot loosely with a plastic bag. This helps retain moisture and humidity, encouraging root development. - Place in Indirect Light
Keep the pot in a bright area but avoid direct sunlight at this stage.
What to Expect
Roots typically form within 3–4 weeks.
To check if rooting has occurred, gently tug the plant. If you feel resistance, your rosemary has successfully rooted.
Final Thoughts: Growing More Than Just a Plant
Propagating rosemary is more than just a gardening technique
It’s an invitation to slow down and connect with nature in a simple, meaningful way.
What starts as a few cuttings in a jar can turn into something much bigger.
Once your rosemary plants are established, you can begin to think long-term.
One of the most beautiful ideas is propagating multiple cuttings over time to create your own rosemary hedge.
Imagine lining your garden path or outdoor space with lush, fragrant rosemary shrubs. Not only does it look stunning, but it also creates a sensory experience.
Every brush against the leaves releases that signature aroma.
So whether you keep a single plant on your windowsill or grow an entire hedge in your garden, rosemary has a way of becoming more than just a herb
It becomes part of your lifestyle.
And maybe, just maybe, part of your daily ritual toward a healthier, more intentional life 🌿