Can thyme be propagated from cuttings?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Using stem cuttings to propagate thyme gives you a 90% success rate compared to a 30% chance from seeds. Select healthy or vigorous plants in the spring, when stem growth is showing good vigor, to take 4-inch (10 cm) cuttings. I have expanded my collection of thyme from just a few species to more than 10 using this reliable cloning technique, which preserves the original flavor profile.
Preparation Phase
- Select stems: Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots with 4-6 leaf nodes
- Tool sterilization: Wipe pruners with 70% isopropyl alcohol before each cut
- Timing: Collect cuttings mid-morning after dew dries but before heat peaks
Rooting Process
- Medium: Use sterile 1:1 perlite-vermiculite mix in 4-inch pots
- Hormones: Dip stem ends in rooting powder containing 0.3% IBA
- Environment: Maintain 70°F (21°C) soil with 70% humidity using plastic domes
Transplant Care
- Timing: Move when roots reach 1 inch (2.5 cm) after 4-6 weeks
- Hardening: Gradually expose to outdoor conditions over 7 days
- Initial feeding: Apply half-strength seaweed extract after transplanting
Select spring propagation when plants are naturally pushing new growth. The period from April to June provides the optimal conditions. Summer heat stress periods should be avoided. My May cuttings root the fastest when daytime temperatures are around 75°F (24°C) and cooler nighttime temperatures prevail.
Humidity domes create the ideal rooting environment. Humidity: 70+% - cover pots with clear plastic bags and vent daily to prevent mold. Heat mats provide bottom heat. Bottom heat significantly speeds up root development too. I get roots in 3 weeks like this.
Water propagation provides a beginner-friendly method. Put cuttings in clear jars, and change the water every 3 days. Roots will develop in 2-3 weeks. Transfer to soil when the roots are around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length to reduce transplant shock. The visual aspect of water propagation can help build your confidence.
Identify success indicators during rooting. After two weeks, look for the emergence of white root tips from the nodes. New leaf shoot development is also an indicator of establishment. Cuttings showing either stem discoloration or mold, regardless of severity, must be discarded immediately to protect the other cuttings.
Once your new plants have hardened off, you can place them in gritty soil. Space your plants about 12 inches (30 cm) apart in the garden, or use 6-inch pots if you're using containers. Water infrequently and deeply. My propagated plants yield their first harvests in about 8 weeks if I initiate them early.
Read the full article: How to Grow Thyme: Ultimate Beginner's Guide
