Master propagation from cuttings and pruning techniques that encourage bushier, more productive herb plants. These skills multiply your garden for free.
Cut 10-15cm stems from healthy herbs just below a leaf node, remove lower leaves, and place in a glass of clean water on a bright windowsill. Change water every 2-3 days to prevent bacterial growth. Roots typically appear within 1-2 weeks for basil and mint, 3-4 weeks for rosemary and oregano. Once roots reach 5cm, transplant into potting soil. This foolproof method works beautifully for most herbs in Canadian homes.
Basil, mint, oregano, and sage root readily from cuttings, often producing plants faster than growing from seed. Rosemary and thyme also propagate well but take longer to establish roots. Parsley, cilantro, and dill grow poorly from cuttings and are better started from seed. Choose healthy, non-flowering stems for best success rates. One grocery store basil can produce 4-6 new plants through strategic cutting and rooting.
Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme require slightly different techniques. Take cuttings from semi-hard wood (current season's growth that's beginning to firm up), strip lower leaves, and dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder if available. Plant directly in moist potting mix rather than water, covering with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Keep warm and bright, and expect roots in 4-6 weeks. Patience pays off with these slower-rooting varieties.
Pinch basil growing tips weekly once plants reach 15cm tall, cutting just above a leaf pair. This triggers branching at each leaf node, creating bushier plants with multiple harvest points instead of single tall stems. Regular pinching delays flowering, which ends productive leaf growth. Even if you don't need basil that week, pinch anyway and compost or share the trimmings. This simple habit can double or triple your total harvest.
Always cut above a leaf node or branching point to encourage new growth from that spot. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make angled cuts that shed water and heal quickly. Never remove more than one-third of the plant at once, which stresses herbs and slows recovery. Regular light harvesting is far better than occasional heavy pruning. Clean tools between plants with rubbing alcohol to prevent disease spread in your Canadian windowsill garden.
Most herbs produce flowers as part of their life cycle, signalling the end of peak leaf production and changing flavour profiles. Remove flower buds as soon as they appear to redirect energy into leaf growth. Basil, cilantro, and dill are particularly quick to bolt; vigilant bud removal extends their productive season by weeks or months. Chive and oregano flowers are edible and attractive, so you can enjoy them without sacrificing much leaf production.
Chives and other clumping herbs can be divided every 1-2 years to create new plants and rejuvenate the original. Remove the plant from its pot, gently separate roots into 2-3 sections, and replant each division in fresh soil. This process refreshes the plant, prevents overcrowding, and gives you extras to share with friends. Spring is the ideal time for division, though indoor herbs can tolerate this process year-round with proper aftercare.
Those potted herbs from Canadian grocery stores are actually multiple seedlings crowded together, stressed and designed for immediate harvest rather than long-term growth. Separate the clump into 3-4 smaller groups, replant in individual pots with fresh soil, water well, and give them time to recover. Many will revive beautifully on your windowsill, providing months of harvests. This approach works especially well with basil, mint, and oregano from supermarket produce sections.
Leggy herbs with bare lower stems and sparse foliage can often be saved with strategic pruning. Cut back to 10-15cm tall, just above a leaf node or branching point, which seems drastic but stimulates vigorous new growth. Ensure the plant has adequate light, proper watering, and a dose of dilute fertilizer to support recovery. Within 2-3 weeks, fresh shoots will emerge, creating a bushier, more attractive plant perfect for Canadian windowsills.
Indoor herbs can be propagated year-round, but success rates are highest during active growth periods in spring and summer when plants are naturally producing new tissue. Morning is the best time of day, when stems are fully hydrated and less stressed. Avoid taking cuttings from flowering plants, as they're focused on reproduction rather than root development. Canadian winter propagation works fine with supplemental grow lights and consistent warmth, just expect slightly slower rooting times.