Caraway Propagation Methods – How to propagate caraway plants

Known for its robust aroma and complex flavor, caraway is an easy to grow herbaceous plant and an excellent addition to the vegetable garden. At maturity, caraway produces white umbrella-shaped flowers that are extremely attractive to pollinators. Caraway is usually grown for seed collection. It is found in recipes for various baked goods, such as cookies and breads, and harvesting requires a certain amount of patience.

Biennial flowering plants need two growing seasons to establish their seeds. And although growing cumin from seed requires attention to detail, the process of cumin propagation is simple.

How to propagate cumin plants

There are two methods of propagation of caraway. – caraway seeds and cuttings. Caraway, which grows in full sun, should be planted in well-drained soil. To ensure an abundant harvest, always make sure that the garden bed is free of weeds until the plants are well established. Because of its shallow roots, caraway plantings should not be disturbed.

Sowing caraway seeds

The first and most common method of propagation is direct seeding of caraway seeds. Resistant to USDA zones 4 to 10, these plants are better suited for growth during cooler weather. For this reason, cumin seeds are direct seeded in the fall and can overwinter outdoors.

Direct planting is essential, as the long primary roots of the plant do not like to be disturbed by the transplanting process. Although the plants remain dormant during the cold winter, the increased heat in spring allows the caraway to resume growth, flower and establish the seed.

Caraway plant cuttings

Caraway plants can also be propagated by cuttings. To take caraway cuttings, simply remove a small segment of new growth from an existing caraway plant. In general, cuttings should have at least 3-4 sets of true leaves.

Remove the real sets of leaves, leaving only one or two pairs of leaves. Gently push the cut stem into a moist rooting medium. Keep the growing medium constantly moist and place it away from direct sunlight.

Once the cuttings have started to take root, gradually harden the plants until it is time to transplant them to their final location in the garden.