How to Propagate Basil for an Endless Supply of Fresh Herbs

Basil is a delicious and versatile herb that's beloved for its delicious taste and its low-maintenance nature, making it perfect for beginner gardeners. It's also incredibly versatile, and can be grown in the ground, or, as is quite popular, in a container on the kitchen windowsill.

Fortunately, basil is also very easy to propagate from cuttings, so with a bit of extra effort, you can generate your own endless supply of herbs. Here's how to do it, step by step, according to gardening experts.

Benefits of Propagation

Naturally, propagating basil at home saves you a trip to the local garden supply store. However, growing from cuttings is also much faster than growing from seed. "It's super easy," says Anna Hackman, farmer and owner of The Naked Botanical. Propagating will replicate desirable traits from the previous basil, too: "When I have seed failure, I snip a piece of my basil that's growing well."

Growing from seed is also slower, making it vulnerable to more risk factors, especially when planted outside. "Putting seed in an outdoor bed is chancy," Hackman adds. "There are so many variables that can kill the seed, like birds who pluck the baby seedlings, or animals digging for bugs and worms."

Propagating in Water

One of the easiest and most popular methods for propagating basil is by rooting cuttings in water. To start, snip a healthy, 4 to 6-inch stem just below the leaf node. "Remove the lower sets of leaves, leaving just the top few," says Luay Ghafari, founder of Urban Farm and Kitchen. "Place the cutting in a glass or mason jar of clean water, and set it in a bright location out of direct sunlight."

After about 5 to 10 days, you should start to see roots form. Make sure you change the water every few days to prevent bacterial growth. "Once the roots are about 2 inches long, the cutting can be transplanted into soil," adds Ghafari.

Propagating in Soil

Alternatively, you can plant your basil cuttings directly into the growing medium. First, prepare a small nursery pot with potting mix or seed starting mix. Ghafari recommends dipping the cut end into rooting hormone, which will encourage faster rooting.

"Place the pot in a warm location out of direct sunlight," he says. "Keep the soil slightly moist and wait for the cutting to root and begin producing new growth."

If your pot is small enough, he notes that you should start seeing some white roots emerge from the holes at the bottom. At this point, transfer the basil into either a larger container, the ground, or a raised bed.

How to Care for Propagated Basil

Once your cuttings are in the soil, it's important to ensure that they're surrounded by all the right conditions. "Basil loves warmth and sunlight," says Angela Judd, certified master gardener and founder of Growing in the Garden. "I like to plant it in compost-rich soil, and give it plenty of space."

As it grows, cut it back above a pair of leaves to ensure a bushy plant. "That also helps prevent it from flowering too soon," she adds. "Once it's going strong, start harvesting often."

Common Mistakes

Basil is an easy plant to grow, but propagating it can still present its own inherent challenges. Here are a few pitfalls that beginner gardeners might fall into.

• Propagating from diseased basil: If you see black marks on your basil, it's probably downy mildew—not ideal for taking cuttings for propagation. "Aphids like basil, too. So check to make sure it's healthy," adds Hackman.
• Taking too little of a stem: 4 to 6 inches is ideal for a cutting. Any less can cause issues down the line.
• Losing patience: Transplanting your basil cuttings can be "hit or miss," says Judd. "Some won't adjust well and just stall out." Instead of giving up, remember to be patient and give the process another try.