How to Grow Basil From Cuttings

Most people grow basil from seeds or transplants, but an easy way to make more basil plants to share with friends (or use in your own garden) is to take cuttings from plants you already have. You won't need synthetic rooting hormones or special equipment because basil's succulent stems root easily when placed in water. Here's how to do it.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife like an Xacto or a razor blade
• Small jar
• Water

Instructions

1. Use a sharp blade to remove a 4-inch long stem of basil. Choose a stem that has not yet flowered. Cut the stem off right below a leaf node-the point where a leaf adjoins the main stem.

2. Fill a clean, small glass jar, such as a jam container, with water and place it in a windowsill that gets bright (but not hot) light. Use a glass jar so you can see when the roots begin to grow.

3. Remove leaves from the lower 2 inches of the basil's stem. Then stick it into the water. Change the water every couple of days until roots form (2 to 4 weeks).

4. Transplant the basil into a container when the roots grow to a few inches long. To transplant, fill a container that is at least 6 inches wide and deep with potting soil and water the soil in. Then, gently remove the basil from the jar of water and plant it in the center of the pot. Water the cutting in and then place it in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight each day.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have any basil plants you can also try this technique with fresh basil purchased from the store. Try to buy the freshest looking bunch possible. With a sharp blade cut off an inch or so of the stem (make the cut right below a leaf node) and get the stem into water ASAP.

• Don't pinch off cuttings or use scissors to remove the stem. This crushes the plant tissue, making it more vulnerable to disease.

Resources

• DigginFood