Pruning & propagation
Take softwood herb cuttings
Choose healthy material from a correctly identified plant.
When to do it
When a suitable herb has fresh, flexible, non-flowering growth.
What you need
- Clean scissors
- Small draining pot and propagation mix
- Label and clear ventilated cover if needed
How to do it
- Choose healthy material from a correctly identified plant. Take several short shoot tips early in the day so they stay fresh.
- Trim each to roughly 5–10 cm, with a cut just below a leaf joint. Remove the lower leaves and any flowers, retaining a few upper leaves.
- Make holes in moist propagation mix and insert the bare lower stem, keeping remaining leaves above the mix. Firm gently.
- Keep in bright indirect light and moderate warmth. Maintain moisture without waterlogging; if covered for humidity, ventilate and prevent leaves touching the cover.
- Wait for roots before potting separately. New leaves alone are not proof of rooting; inspect gently for roots at the pot edge or drainage holes, then acclimatise gradually.
What success looks like
- Roots form and the cutting sustains new growth when uncovered.
Watch out for
- Taking wilted flowering shoots.
- Leaving a sealed bag in sun.
Plant guides using this technique
Mint
Mint with practical five-zone Australian timing.
Oregano
Oregano with practical five-zone Australian timing.
Sweet marjoram
Sweet marjoram with practical five-zone Australian timing.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm with practical five-zone Australian timing.
Basil
Fragrant leaves to pick a little at a time.
Related help
Prick out and pot on seedlings
Moisten the seedlings and prepare filled pots with a hole deep enough for the roots.
Harden off seedlings before planting out
Choose mild conditions and start in sheltered light shade for a short daytime visit.
Sources and review
Checked 24 September 2026. Source-checked editorial guidance; not field-tested or independently reviewed by a horticulturist.