Sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings into their garden beds or containers is the most common method of growing basil for most gardeners. To avoid waiting around for seeds to germinate, you have a third option that is much more expedient. Using cuttings to grow basil is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to maximize your homegrown basil harvest. No, I don’t have time for that right now.
Gardeners love basil because it’s easy to grow. Pasta, pizza, sauces, and pesto all benefit from its spicy clove flavor. It’s best to wait until the risk of frost has passed in late spring before planting it outside. Basil needs at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day, so choose a location in the garden or on the patio accordingly.
Why it’s a good idea to start your basil plants from cuttings!
Asil seed is started indoors under grow lights for six to eight weeks. During the late spring, the seedlings are prepared for planting in the garden by being hardened off and replanted. It takes about eight weeks for the plants to grow large enough to begin clipping in zones 7 to 10, where they can be directly seeded outside. Using cuttings to propagate basil reduces the amount of time it takes to grow by half. Once the roots are established, the plants produce a steady supply of new growth that can be harvested. In addition, you can grow basil from cuttings all year long!
Your cuttings will benefit from a supply of basil from where?
In search of basil stems to root but unsure of where to look? Cuttings of basil can be found in a variety of places. At least five plants are usually crammed into a single pot at the grocery store for me to choose from, especially in the late fall, winter, and early spring. It is possible to cut back those five basil plants in half, with the tops rooted and the bottoms growing new plants. Basil from your own garden can, of course, be used as a rooting medium. Basil cuttings can be obtained from these five sources:
A store that sells Food
Pots of fresh herbs are available year-round in many supermarkets. Look closely at the pots of basil and you’ll notice that each container has more than one plant. In fact, each pot usually contains five or six plants. As a result, I end up damaging or killing at least half of these basil plants when I try to transplant them into my garden from these tightly packed pots. That is why I prefer to cut my own.
A garden shop
Garden centers often sell large pots of basil, as well as basil seedlings. You can bring these home and trim them back to encourage new growth on your deck or patio. Get creative with the trimmings.
Your backyard
I take basil cuttings from my mid-summer garden and root them for a late summer and fall harvest. It’s also a good idea to root the stems of basil plants for a fall and winter harvest as summer comes to an end.
In a friend’s backyard
Get in touch with a gardener you know who has a large pot or patch of basil. Make a request for a few pieces.
The local farmer’s market
Many farmers’ market stalls offer fresh basil bouquets for sale. Root these at home by trimming the ends of the stems.
Starting basil plants from cuttings: A step-by-step guide
Basil can be rooted in two ways: in water or in potting soil. You’ll need basil cuttings for each method. Clean herb snips or scissors are needed to cut a four to six-inch stem from a basil plant. Trim the stems at an angle just below a leaf node (the point where the leaves begin to emerge from the stems). Remove all of the leaves from the lower third of the plant’s stalk. Rooting the cuttings in water is especially critical, as you don’t want any leaves to become submerged and rot.
What is the best way to grow basil in a pot of water?
Filtered or spring water can be added to small glasses or jars. Using chlorinated tap water is acceptable, but it should be left out for at least 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Make sure the water is at the right temperature before putting the cuttings in. Ensure no leaves are submerged by performing a second check.
In a location with bright, indirect light, place the glasses or jars. To avoid the growth of bacteria or algae, the water should be changed at least once every two days. About 10 to 14 days after planting, you’ll begin to see the first sprouts. Every day, I spray the cuttings with a water spritzer that I keep nearby.
Cuttings can be removed from the water when the roots are about an inch or two long and placed in a container of pre-moistened potting mix.
Is it possible to grow basil in soil?
Rooting basil cuttings in containers of potting soil is another option. You’ll need a few things before you start:
- Pots with a diameter of four inches (you can also use recycled containers like yogurt containers but add drainage holes).
- Moisturized potting soil
- A large clear plastic baggie or a plastic plant dome is a good option for storing plants.
- Of course, there are also the basil trimmings.
The moistened potting mix can be used as a base for the basil cuttings in my pots. Why? For this reason, the cut ends should be placed in the potting mix as soon as possible to prevent them from drying out. Cut the basil stems and place them in the soil medium after you’ve filled the containers. To ensure good soil-to-stem contact, pack the potting mix firmly around the stem.
Select a location for the transplanted cuttings that will receive both direct and indirect light for best results. It is possible to increase the humidity in an area by covering each plant with a clear plastic bag. You can also use a plastic plant dome on top of the tray if the pots are in a tray. Using a water-filled spray bottle, I mist the covers every day. Observe soil moisture levels and re-water if they fall below an acceptable level.
When the cuttings begin to produce new growth, you’ll know that roots have formed. After two weeks, you can test the cutting’s stability by gently tugging on it. If this is the case, you can harden it off and then plant it in the ground or in containers in your yard.
Please note that I do not recommend dipping the cuttings in rooting hormones before putting them into the potting mix. The use of rooting hormone on edible plants is not advised, especially if the plants will be consumed within a short period of time.
It is not only possible to root culinary herbs in water or potting mix with basil. Mint, lemon balm, oregano, marjoram, and bee balm are some of the other soft-stemmed herbs that can be grown from cuttings.
