Before the Frost: Fall Propagation Tips for Rosemary, Lavender, and Lemon Verbena

Every fall, as the air starts to bite and the garden slows to a crawl, I get the urge to rescue a few favorites before the frost takes them. For me, winter isn’t just dormancy—it’s a kind of slate cleaning. My friend and I call it that because winter wipes everything down to a blank page. And since I can’t handle staring at bare garden beds for months, I bring a little green inside.

Enter my west-facing Propagation Window—a lineup of glass test tubes, suction-cupped to the glass, filled with filtered water and snips of herbs I can’t quite let go of.

Why I Propagate Before Frost

Fall propagation gives herbs a head start. While the rest of the garden fades, these little cuttings keep quietly working—rooting, recovering, and reminding me that growth doesn’t stop just because the calendar says so.

This year, my lineup includes:

• Rosemary – tough, steady, and surprisingly happy in water. The ones I tried overwintering in pots didn’t make it, but the eight cuttings in my window thrived.

• Lavender – patient and stubborn. It roots slowly but surely with enough light and humidity.

• Lemon Verbena – my troublemaker. I’ve never gotten it to root successfully, but hope (and curiosity) makes me try again every year.

My Propagation Setup

It doesn’t take much to get started. Here’s what I use:

🪴 Things I Used

• Pruning Snips – Gardening Shears

• Filtered Water

• Honey – natural alternative to rooting hormone

• Cinnamon – helps discourage mold

• Plastic Test Tubes – Propagation Tubes

• Suction Cups with Hooks – Window Hanger Set

I snip 4–6 inch cuttings, dip the ends in honey (sometimes cinnamon too), then slide them into the water-filled test tubes. The suction cups let me stick them directly to the window—simple, space-saving, and surprisingly decorative.

Location Matters

My window faces west, so it gets gentle afternoon sun without overheating. I change the water weekly and wipe down the glass when condensation builds up. The goal is to mimic bright, indirect light with just enough warmth to encourage roots.

What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Rosemary: Absolute winner. Every single cutting rooted and transitioned easily to soil come spring.

Lavender: Slow but steady—expect several weeks before you see roots. Patience pays off.

Lemon Verbena: Let’s just say… we’re still in negotiations. I’ve tried softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings, both in soil and water, but so far no luck. This year I’m experimenting with slightly warmer water and a mini humidity dome.

Propagation isn’t about perfection—it’s about trying again, noticing what changes, and appreciating the small victories. Even one rooted cutting feels like a win when everything outside is frozen solid.

Tips for Successful Fall Propagation

• Take cuttings before nighttime temps dip below 40°F.

• Use sharp, clean snips to avoid crushing stems.

• Remove lower leaves to prevent rot in water.

• Keep water fresh and containers sterile.

• Bright indirect light is your best friend.

• Expect some failures—it’s part of the process.

If you prefer soil propagation, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension has an excellent guide on propagating herbs and overwintering indoors (search “herb propagation” for region-specific advice).

You can also find more details in The Old Farmer’s Almanac article on how to overwinter herbs indoors for additional light and watering tips.

Why I Keep Doing It

Every rooted cutting feels like a tiny rebellion against winter—a reminder that growth doesn’t stop, it just shifts location. Propagating herbs before frost isn’t just about saving plants; it’s about keeping curiosity alive when the garden goes quiet.

So if you’re staring down the first frost warning and can’t quite say goodbye to your herbs, grab your snips and some honey. Give a few sprigs a second chance.

What are you trying to save before frost? Share your overwintering wins, near-misses, and experiments in the comments—or tag #RootedNRed to show off your own propagation window!

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