The aim of this work was to identify an effective method to improve the rate and percentage of germination and the rooting of seeds and cuttings of Lepechinia chamaedryoides (Balb.) Epling. Morphological changes experienced by the seed during the germination process also were followed by microscopy. This research was conducted during 2009 and 2010 in the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Concepción. Four germination tests were assayed: a) sulfuric acid scarification and further stratification, b) leaching of inhibitors with different water temperatures plus different concentrations of gibberellic acid, c) thermal scarification plus stratification and d) gibberellic acid application at different concentrations. The highest percentage of germination was obtained with thermal scarification and stratification. Vegetative propagation test consisted of different concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) applied to the stem base. Significant differences between treatments were not found. The morphological changes of the seed during the germination process were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). These findings allowed identifying characteristics of highly lignified pericarp. © 2011 Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas.