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This is by far the simplest method of creating new plants. In fact, if you're a gardener, you've probably had this occur with a plant without even trying.
Layering refers to using a low branch from a plant to start a separate new plant. The process takes several months, up to a year, but requires almost no active participation on the part of the gardener.
This process is especially well suited to woody herbs, roses or other shrub-type plants. Ideally start in the fall so that the rains will aid hydration during the root development process. Check first in the spring when the mother plant show signs of new growth.
There is an ultra-simple method or a method that requires one extra step. Both are simple. Take a low branch and dig up a small portion of the soil around the plant base where you can bury part of the branch, leaving four or more inches at the tip of the branch above ground. If the stem is very flexible, you can simply replace the soil you dug out of the hole over the branch. If the branch is likely to 'pop' up out of the soil, you can place a weight such as a brick or rock over the portion of branch that's buried. If the branch is more than about 1/4 inch in diameter, you can take a knife and cut a small slit in the branch on the bottom of the buried portion - be careful not to cut all the way through. You just want to open the skin so roots can begin to form. This is the 'one more step' I referred to above.
Be sure to keep the soil moist through the season so roots can develop. You may have had plants do this on their own. Some that you may have noticed would be oregano or other woody herbs like sage or thyme. It's pretty similar to how spider plants propagate.
In the spring, remove the weight and gently pull on the branch. If it resists, you probably have roots. Cut the branch close to the mother plant separating the buried rooted portion with the tip of the branch from the main plant. Leave it for a few days to a week to see if it continues to grow and force it to develop strong roots of it's own. Once you believe you have roots, remove the weight Use a trowel to gently dig out around the tip of the branch beneath the rooted portion and pot up or move to a desired location.
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