How To Grow Thyme From Cuttings – Can You Grow Thyme From Cuttings – Propagate Thyme From Cuttings – Will Thyme Root In Water – Can Thyme Grow From Stems – Propagating Thyme Cuttings In Water
Welcome to this post about all the stuff you could possibly want to know about growing thyme from cuttings. My favorite way of growing thyme actually. I have always found this to be the most effective and quickest way of getting from sowing to harvesting.
If you want to learn even more about growing thyme then read our comprehensive guide here, How To Plant, Grow And Care For Your Thyme.
How To Grow Thyme From Cuttings
Growing thyme from cuttings is like I said in the beginning the best way of getting larger amounts of thyme. Once you have a well-established thyme bush then it can go really quick multiplying that amount.
If you want to know about the best way to take care of cuttings and then show them, then let’s get started. It all really starts with cutting the thyme. Here you want something that has had the time to grow out a bit and is showing signs of new offshoots. I tend to cut it below these so that I make sure the spring will have good development. These pigs usually grow in pairs of two so look for them and make sure you have at least 4 new shoots in the spring, ideally 6 would be even better.
After you have identified them and have cut them then prepare a glass and fill it with water. Put the thyme in. The glass should not be more than maybe one-fifth or so. This is to not drown too much of the spring. You want the lower parts to develop the new roots. Too much water will drown and cause root rot.
Let it stay in the water for at least two weeks indoors. The best way of keeping a newly cut thyme sprig is indoors where it is most likely warmer and drier. This is the ideal climate for new thyme. The amount of water should not concern you. As if you would have sown the sprig in the soil immediately and not let it form new roots then it would most likely die out. I have tried and tested this method many times and it is the one that seems to always work.
It will take about 2 weeks for it to form any significant roots. After this you can put in a new pot or on freeland, the choice is yours. At this point, it’s healthy enough and developed enough to manage on its own. You can care for them just the way you do for your already existing thyme plants.
Curious about the best way to trim and cut thyme so it can continue growing and provide you with harvests? Then we have put together the perfect guide just for you, find the article here, How Do You Trim Thyme So It Keeps Growing.
Can You Grow Thyme From Cuttings
Yes, you can grow thyme from cuttings. To propagate thyme from cuttings, take a 3-4 inch long stem cutting from a healthy thyme plant. Remove the leaves from the lower 2 inches of the stem and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder.
Next, plant the cutting in a pot filled with well-draining soil, or directly in the ground if you live in a suitable climate. Water the cutting well and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or use a cloche if you planted it in the ground. This will help to keep the humidity high and prevent the cutting from drying out.
Place the pot or cloche in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. In a few weeks, new growth should appear, indicating that the cutting has taken root. At this point, you can remove the plastic bag or cloche and care for the new thyme plant as you would with any other thyme plant.
Propagate Thyme From Cuttings
Thyme can be easily propagated from cuttings, making it a cost-effective way to expand your herb garden. Here are the steps to propagate thyme from cuttings:
- Choose a healthy thyme plant and select a stem that is not too woody and has no flowers. Cut a 4-6 inch section of the stem, making sure to use a sharp, sterile pair of scissors or pruning shears.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem. This will be the section that will be inserted into the soil.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder. This will help the cutting develop roots.
- Fill a small pot with well-draining potting mix and water it until it is moist but not waterlogged.
- Use a pencil or chopstick to make a hole in the soil and insert the cutting. Make sure to plant the cutting at least 1 inch deep.
- Firm the soil around the cutting to ensure good contact and remove any air pockets.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag or plastic wrap to create a humid environment. This will help the cutting retain moisture and promote root growth.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm location, but not in direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- After 3-4 weeks, gently tug on the stem. If you feel resistance, the cutting has rooted and can be moved to a larger pot or planted in the garden.
- Once the new plant has established itself, you can start harvesting thyme leaves for use in your cooking.
Will Thyme Cuttings Root In Water
Yes, thyme cuttings can root in water. However, it’s important to use fresh cuttings from a healthy thyme plant and to change the water regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can harm the cuttings. It’s also recommended to use a rooting hormone to increase the chances of successful rooting. Once the roots are developed, the cuttings can be transplanted into a well-draining soil mix. It’s important to keep the newly transplanted cuttings in a humid and shaded environment for a few days until they establish themselves in the soil.
Can Thyme Grow From Stems
Thyme is an herb that can grow from both seeds and cuttings. While it’s common to grow thyme from seeds, it’s also possible to propagate thyme from stem cuttings. Thyme cuttings will root and grow into new plants under the right conditions. To propagate thyme from cuttings, select a healthy stem and cut a piece that is about 4-6 inches long. Strip the leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches of the stem and place it in a container with water or well-draining soil. Make sure that the container is in a location that receives bright, indirect light and that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Roots should begin to form within a few weeks, and once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, the new thyme plant can be transplanted into a larger pot or into the garden. With proper care, thyme grown from stem cuttings can be just as healthy and vigorous as thyme grown from seeds.
How To Propagate Thyme From Cuttings In Water
Here’s how you can propagate thyme from cuttings in water:
- Select a healthy thyme plant and take cuttings from the stem that are about 3-4 inches long. Cut the stems just below a node where the leaves grow.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem. This will be the part that you will submerge in water.
- Fill a small glass or jar with clean water and place the stems in the water, making sure the bottom of the stem is submerged.
- Place the glass in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. Change the water every few days to keep it clean and fresh.
- After a few weeks, you should start to see roots growing from the bottom of the stem. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can transplant the cuttings into soil.
It’s important to note that not all thyme cuttings will root in water, and even if they do, they may not grow into healthy plants. However, this method is a simple and low-cost way to propagate thyme and can be a fun experiment to try.
