How To Grow Basil From Cuttings | Easy Basil Propagation Guide

Follow this easy guide to learn how to propagate basil from cuttings! As a gardener, basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow and use. Not only do the plants look lovely, but they also offer a range of culinary benefits. Growing basil from cuttings is an easy, cost-effective process. By propagating basil, you can promote the longevity of your plants and enjoy fresh herbs all season long.

Whether you have a small kitchen herb garden or a large outdoor plot, growing and preserving basil is a fun and rewarding way to enhance your culinary creations. Get those garden snips out and let’s propagate some basil!

About Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular herb that can be grown in USDA zones 4-11. Extra precautions can be taken to grow basil in cooler zones. This versatile herb prefers well-draining soil and requires at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive. The days to maturity from seed varies depending on the variety of basil. For example, sweet basil typically takes around 60 days to mature, while varieties like Genovese basil and Thai basil take slightly longer at 70-90 days.

Each variety of basil has its own unique color, texture, and flavor. Sweet basil has a smooth texture and a traditional basil flavor, while Genovese basil is known for its large leaves and sweet, spicy flavor. Thai basil, with its purple stems and licorice-like flavor, is often used in Southeast Asian cuisine. Basil not only adds flavor to your dishes, but it also has various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Whether you grow it in a garden bed or in pots on your windowsill, basil is an herb that’s worth growing, propagating, and incorporating into your cooking.

What is Propagation And Why Do It?

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. There are several methods, including stem cutting, division, and seed propagation. For this guide, I have opted to keep it simple and teach you all about growing basil from cuttings. Many plants can be propagated, including herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Propagation by cutting can give new seedlings a head start when compared to growing from seed and is a budget-friendly way to produce additional basil plants for a an abundant harvest that lasts the entire growing season. According to a study done by Texas A&M, basil plants grown from cuttings vs seed yeild 49% more harvestable matter, were ready for transplant a week earlier than basil started from seed and had stronger root systems when compared to basil seedlings started at the same time.

Related: How To Grow New Strawberry Plants From Runners- Easy Propagation Guide

Best Time To Propagate Basil

The best time to propagate basil is in the spring. Propagating early in the season ensures that your basil cuttings have time to root, grow, and produce a significant amount of basil. Take the basil cutting in the cool morning, after the morning dew has dried. This will help the plant recover quickly rather than cutting it in the hot afternoon. Basil should be around 8 inches tall before you start taking cuttings for propagation. Similar to harvesting guidelines, you want to remove no more than 1/3 of the plant’s height at a time.

Rooting Basil Cuttings in Water Vs. Soil

Propagating Basil In Water: If you love fresh herbs, propagating basil in water is a great way to keep a steady supply on hand. One of the easiest ways to propagate basil is in water! Not only is it simple and affordable, but it’s also a fun project to do with kids or friends. My boys are always up for a “science experiment.” There is no need to add any fancy rooting hormones or other additives. Simply prune, clip, and dip in water for an easily propagated basil plant, ready in 2-3 weeks.

Propagating Basil In Soil: Propagating basil in soil is another great way to grow your own plants from cuttings. To get started, choose healthy basil stems, prune, dip the cut end in a rooting agent (similar to a rooting hormone), such as honey or cinnamon, and plant it in well-draining soil. It usually takes about 2-4 weeks for the basil cuttings to develop roots in soil, and once they do, you can transplant them to larger containers or your garden bed. This method is very effective but slightly less easy to know if the basil cutting has rooted or not.

Tips + Tricks

• Avoid taking a cutting from a stock that has blooms, success rate will go way down. Choose a section of the plant that hasn’t flowered yet.
• Cut right underneath a leaf node (this section produces the best roots).
• Use a clean, sterile cutting instrument such as pruning shears, scissors, or garden snips.
• Choose the nicest basil sections to harvest from (avoid wilty, diseased sections)
• If you are planning on doing a lot of propagating, it may be a good idea to get some rooting hormone. This works especially well when rooting basil directly into the soil.

Exactly How To Propagate Basil Cuttings In Water

1. Ensure that your basil plant is ready to harvest (when it is 8 inches tall) before you attempt to propagate.
2. With your snippers, prune all of the small leaves along the stem of your 3-inch section, leaving four top leaves in tact. If you have no snippers, you can gently snap the leaves off. Don’t forget to save the leaves for your favorite recipe! Leave the pruned plant for 24 hours before cutting the stem section. This helps the plant to heal and recover where it was cut, boosting your propagation success. This is an optional wait time but highly recommended.
3. With a sharp knife, pruners, or garden snips, cut a 3 inch section, just below a leaf node. Roots grow easiest from this location. If you leave a section of stem below the node, it is at risk of rotting.
4. Stand the basil up in a small container filled with non-chlorinated water (think shot glass or small mason jar), making sure that the top leaves aren’t submerged. Place the basil cutting in a location with part sun.
5. Monitor the water and top it off as needed. If the water becomes murky, change it completely.
6. The basil cutting should have rooted sufficiently to plant in moist, well draining soil within 2-3 weeks! Keep the soil extra moist for the following week or two to ensure that the roots have time to grow and spread.
7. Enjoy!

Exactly How To Propagate Basil Cuttings In Soil

1. Ensure that your basil plant is ready to harvest (when it is 8 inches tall) before you attempt to propagate.
2. With your snippers, prune all of the small leaves along the stem of your 3-inch section, leaving four top leaves in tact. If you have no snippers, you can gently snap the leaves off. Don’t forget to save the leaves for your favorite recipe! Leave the pruned plant for 24 hours before cutting the stem section. This helps the plant to heal and recover where it was cut, boosting your propagation success. This is an optional wait time but highly recommended.
3. With a sharp knife, pruners, or garden snips, cut a 3 inch section, just below a leaf node. Roots grow easiest from this location. If you leave a section of stem below the node, it is at risk of rotting.
4. Dip the cut end of the basil in honey or cinnamon before planting in soil to help protect the new cutting from bacterial and fungal infections and to encourage rooting. Both honey and cinnamon have anti microbial and anti fungal properties. Urban Garden Gal has a great explanation here!
5. Stand the basil up in a small potting container filled moist soil. If you are propagating a lot of basil in soil, consider using soil blocks. Gently poke the new basil cutting into the soil and pat around it to secure it in place. Give it additional water and water frequently to keep the soil moist.
6. Although you can’t see the basil roots, you can check for rooting by gently pulling on the cutting after two weeks. If it offers resistance then you are in luck! Pulling too hard can damage the roots, be careful.
7. Transfer to a bigger container or garden bed and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Basil from Cuttings

Harvest Ready Basil Recipes

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