Herb garden rosemary can be one of the most difficult plants for the newcomer to grow.
The seeds of this herb often don't sprout at all, and when they do, it is very rare that the seedling will resemble the parent plant.
Most experts suggest that growing rosemary herbs is best done with new cuttings from a healthy, mature plant.
This way, they tend to remain true to the specific patterns and flavors that the original plant emitted, and they also stand a much higher chance of survival and success.
To get started, you will need to clip from a good-looking, full, and productive rosemary plant.
In preparation for your new attempt at growing rosemary herbs, you will want to have at the ready some rooting hormones, which are easily obtained from any nursery or garden center, and some seed starting potting soil.
Once you have found the parent plant, you will want to snip from the under area of the "trunk", where new growth is most apt to be present.
You should look for a nicely leaved, two inch stem that you can cut off cleanly for propagation.
Once you have snipped your fill of cuttings, being careful not to overexert the parent plants, you will be ready for the next step.
The new cuttings will need to be stripped of their leaves up to the one inch line, and you can do this by gently plucking them with your fingers or snipping them, paying mind not to damage the shaft of the cutting with your shears.
Now, you will want to immediately submerge these naked tips into a small amount of your rooting hormones, letting them absorb the solution for just a ten seconds or less, before planting them in your seeding soil.
Your new cuttings will need to be misted daily, as this will keep them from becoming dusty.
It will take about 3 weeks for your new plants to root, at which time they can be placed in individual terra cotta pots.
These little guys will want warmth but not direct sunlight, and you can pinch off the tip of your cuttings to encourage branch growth.
The perfect addition to your Italian herb garden, rosemary grown indoors or outdoors will bring months of flavor, aroma, and beauty to your home and meals.
Adult rosemary will crave less moisture at the root level, so they should be allowed to dry up twice per month.