This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
Learn this easy way to root basil from cuttings. It's a great way to stretch your herb budget and have a bountiful supply of fresh basil!
I've had a little window garden growing for the past few weeks, in anticipation of summer. Yes, summer is definitely on the horizon and it was time to start my annual "root basil from cuttings" project. I love seeing the cuttings go from small and bare-stemmed to vibrant little plantlings, boasting a zillion tiny, hair-like roots.
I started two weeks ago and each one is now raring to grow and ready to supply me with all the basil my heart can desire. All from one inexpensive grocery store plant!
I shared this technique on how to root basil back in 2015, but with so many new readers, I thought this would be the perfect time to post it again. We took some new photos of my current window garden and I added some extra tips I've learned over the years. If you love fresh basil and can't get enough of it, keep reading! You won't believe how unbelievably easy it is to generate an abundance of offspring!
I love cooking with fresh basil and use it in a wide variety of recipes. Basil also makes a beautiful garnish and a sprig or two can make an ordinary dinner look extraordinary. It's fun to use decoratively too. If you visit The Café during the summer, you'll often find a big bouquet of basil adorning my kitchen counter in lieu of fresh flowers.
You know that well-known saying: "You can never be too rich or too thin"? Well, I heartily disagree with it: as far as "never being too rich", I think Solomon, known as "the wisest of all men", summed it all up quite nicely; "Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich I may deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name".
And too thin? That part makes me sad. With so many young, beautiful girls suffering from social-induced image problems like bulimia and anorexia, it breaks my heart that a thin, lean body has become an icon of female beauty. The most beautiful women I know range from being short, tall, large, small, young, old and all places in between!
Now basil... that's a whole different story.
Although Scott has grown basil for me for many years, it always seemed that I could use more. One of my favorite salad dressing recipes, Sweet Basil Vinaigrette calls for a quarter pound of basil - have you ever seen how much basil it takes to make a quarter pound? A lot!
A number of years my basil problem was solved when I learned how to root basil from cuttings, a super simple technique. Now I employ it each spring to ensure a bountiful supply of the delicious, fragrant herb. This is how it works: simply purchase a live basil plant at your local grocery or big box store. Look for the biggest, healthiest one you can find. They're easy to find right now, and a nice size plant usually costs less than three dollars.
When you get the pretty little plant home, divide it up into 10-12 cuttings and place them in small containers filled with fresh water. Basil roots very easily and your kitchen windowsill is the perfect place to start a little "basil nursery".
Check out the Café Tips and the "recipe" below for detailed instructions and tips on how to root basil from cuttings. In a few weeks, you'll have a prolific supply of small basil plantlings, all set to be popped into pots or the garden bed. You'll have so much fresh basil, you won't know what to do with it. Then again, if you're a Café follower, you will!
Café Tips on How to Root Basil from Cuttings
- Begin this rooting process no more than 3-4 weeks before it's safe to plant basil in your climate zone, which is usually when temperatures will consistently remain above 50˚ at night, the days are warm and sunny and there's no danger of frost.
- A healthy basil plant will produce anywhere from 10-12 plantlings, maybe more. If you have limited space and/or can't use that much basil, go ahead and root them anyway - the little plantlings will make great gifts for your "foodie" friends - believe me, they'll be thinking quite fondly of you each time they snip, snip, snip!
- The best place to root basil indoors is a bright but not intensely hot window. Morning sun is great but a lot of intense afternoon sun will be too much for the little cuttings.
- The cuttings may look a bit droopy, a day or so after you divide them. They are just adjusting to a new environment; keep the water level full and be sure to change the water every other day.
- Try to use water right around room temperature when changing out the water. this will help avoid shock.
- If it's going to be below 40˚F at night, remove your "babies" to the counter until morning, then return them to the windowsill.
- Don't be snitching basil during this growing period. That's a good way to put them into irreversible shock. I'm telling you this from personal experience.
- I like to use a container that will hold at least a cup of water and have a fairly wide opening at the top. I've found that the little plantlings don't do well in containers that are too small or that have super narrow openings.
- A little warning: sometimes a few of the "little offspring" just don't make it - it's too shocking for their system. You should have plenty of others that flourish so just discard the ones that fail.
- Once you plant your new little herb family, they will need plenty of water, especially in the hot summer months. They will wilt, droop and their growth will be stunted if they don't receive enough moisture. I am forgetful and a bit lazy when it comes to watering plants. Years ago, Scott devised an ingenious system that keeps my herbs healthy and beautiful during the scorching summer weather we experience here in the Carolinas. Check out this post and you'll be able to see for yourself how this simple and ecologically efficient drip system works.
- Have some questions about growing basil? Scott is the gardening expert here at The Café. He keeps my little herb garden super healthy and happy. You can check out his recommendations for keeping basil pest-free in his post, How to Grow Pest-free, Healthy Basil.
- Happy basil rooting!
Scroll Down for the Recipe - or Save It to Your Inbox
We'll email you the recipe so it's easy to save, print, or share.
How to Root Basil from Cuttings
Ingredients
- 1 large, full, healthy basil plant, preferably planted in soil vs hydroponic
- kitchen scissors or a sharp knife
- small glass containers
- fresh tap water
Instructions
- With a scissors or a sharp knife, cut 3-4 inch long cuttings (they may end up being a bit longer depending on where the first leaf node is) right below a leaf node; this is where a leaf joins the main stem. Although your little cuttings will eventually sprout roots all the way up the stem, the leaf node is generally where the new shoots will begin.
- Remove leaves from cuttings on the lower 2 inches. (I place any basil leaves that are left over in a small plastic storage container and store them in the refrigerator till I need them for cooking.)
- If there are tiny leaves at the leaf node, don't worry about these, they can stay on.
- Place cuttings in small glass containers of water on a bright windowsill. Choose an area that gets lots of light, but not direct sun, as the little plants could go into shock at this point with hot sunshine. You can put 4-6 cuttings in each glass. The cuttings might wilt a little at first and you may lose a few, that's normal. You should have plenty that survive.
- Watch the water levels carefully, adding water to keep stems immersed. Change the water every other day to keep it fresh. (Be sure it's not too cold on your window sill. Basil loves warmth and doesn't do well if it gets a chill.)
- After 5-7 days you will begin to see some tiny white roots forming. Every day more and more will appear. Let the roots grow to about 2 inches. Continue to change the water every other day. The process will take 12 days to 18 days, from start to finish.
- You are now ready to plant your plants outdoors in a sunny spot with good drainage. Keep the plants protected from intense sun for a week or so until they get established. Once they adjust, the little plants will start growing new leaves and shoots. Before you know it, you'll have an abundance of fresh basil!
Nutrition
Shop Our Café Loves
We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!
Hi. I have tried propagating a few times and roots did grow. I waited for them to grow a little more before putting them into the soil. But they always end up dying. Why is that so please? I went to consult people at bunnings and they said I have to wait for new leaves to grow before potting them. But I notice they will start rotting and wilting even before that. Can you give me some advice please? Thanks.
Hi Ely, I'm not sure exactly why your basil is dying. Sometimes it has to do with the strength of the original plant. Are they getting enough sunlight? Are you changing the water fair frequently? I usually root a whole bunch of stems at a time. Most of them survive but a few will wilt and go bad before they start rooting.
Can you root basil cuttings which have thin stems and smallish leaves? They would be from basil which has been cut all the way down and is growing back spindly (tall and thin).
Hi Janet, you definitely can root basil with thin stems and smaller leaves but it is the end of the season and basil won't be happy now even if you re-root it. Unless of course, you live in a climate with sunny warm days in the fall.
Thanks so much for this article! I"m going to try rooting cuttings from a basil plant that belongs to my son, which I'd like to grow outdoors in the ground. Our summer right now in Texas has highs in the low 100's - how do I let the new basil plants adjust to the heat after rooting so they won't die from it?
Thanks!
Hi Sarah, I think this isn't the best time to plant basil. It's better to start to root it in the early spring and then plant it when the weather is more moderate.I'm afraid with 100-degree temps it would just go into shock.
Nice info abiut basil!!! I always store my basil on the counter!!! It’s a beautiful plant!!
Thanks, Irene! It is so pretty!
Can't you just pull them out with roots? That’s what I always do, just transplate some of stems in small containers or out them in water culture.
Great idea! I haven't tried that.
What a great reminder! I best get going on this!
Basil season is almost here! I think the cold weather is FINALLY over (we've been alternating between days around freezing and days in the 60s or 70s), so time to get the herb garden cranked up again. And basil is a must -- love its flavor. Terrific post, and wonderful pictures. Thanks!
I happily found out how to do this quite by accident after putting some plastic box, store bought basil in water to help keep it fresh. Of course it rooted within several days and I've been doing it ever since with the plants that I buy. It's great to start new basil plants in the middle of summer also when they start to get woody and start to flower. Great to bring this wonderful tip to others!
Perfect tips Chris! I love fresh spring basil 🙂 Pinning!
This is something my girlfriend will appreciate as she loves working in the garden and handle her flowers and plants... thanks!
Enjoy!
Thank you for the wonderful post and especially words of wisdom! Love basil! Tried your Sweet Basil Vinaigrette last year-it is definitely a keeper! Thank you! 🙂
Thanks so much Inna!
Love the jars, where can I get some?
Believe it or not, I got those pretty jars at the Dollar Store!
This is wonderful information, Chris! I remember seeing photos of your gorgeous garden basil in summers past. I'm hoping we'll have a better garden spot once our remodel is done. An herb garden is #1 on my list.
I've been chuckling as I read the comments of your readers lamenting over being unable to keep their herbs alive through winter. Here in Phoenix I have the opposite problem - trying to keep herbs alive through our intense summers. Right at the time we're eating A LOT of salads, my herbs keel over and die.
Do you think this method would work on other herbs?
Does Scott have helpful tips for growing cilantro? I use it far more than any other herb but I cannot keep it alive.
I love love your cite and your spirit you are an inspiration and I want to find a soulmate with the lovingness you both exerberate!!and where did you get the beautiful jars??? great timing on the post as in toronto all the gourmet stores just increased their fresh basil cutting to $2.79 from $149.00 and they only sell organic only 1 stem too and the leaf is bitter and not the same thank you diana from toronto
I don't want just enough to satisfy my needs. I want to prosper and be blessed in abundance. If I have only enough to satisfy my needs then I don't have enough to bless and minister to anyone else. That's selfish.
Hello Lisa,
Thanks for your comment. It is wonderful to be abundantly blessed and I love that you want to bless others. I think, however, that we have to be very wary when we have abundant wealth. It seems that often, people tend to get more and more "me" focused as they accumulate riches. I guess that's why Jesus said that "it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven". You're probably one of the rare ones.
This is such a brilliant idea Chris, basil is my favorite summer ingredient and now I'll never be without it!
Love your instructions; I do similar with the most of the herbs and spices and move the pots from outside to inside bench depending of the season ! Everyone should do it since it is really so simple and makes you have fresh vibrant plants 🙂 Heaven !
I want to grow basil indoor year round. The main concern is winter. I want fresh basil in the winter. I have tried in a pot. I have some in water right now. It doesn't last at all. Even if I try starting in the spring waiting until the days are warmer and the nights warmer. I can plant it in my garden and it grows great, but being near Lake Erie there is no way it will survive the winter. I do have some I froze and then the leaves come out of the freezer they are grand as far as scent and taste goes, but I really love to be able to snip off some fresh leaves as I want them. What is growing in the water is looking really wilty. I even let my tap water sit before I use it for the basil.
Hi Pat, basil can be temperamental in the winter. I find it best to just buy the small plants and keep them near a window. I just snip, snip, snip and then buy a new one when I've used it up.
I heard cinnamon is really good for stopping the rot that comes up from the root. The cinnamon will encourage the stem to produce more stems, while helping to prevent the fungus. Will be trying this in spring..
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing the info!!
Ground or stick cinnamon?? How much if ground??
Ive tried this twice and the bottom of my basil stems turn black. Do you know why? or what it is im doing wrong? I really want to do this but both times ive tried theyve turned black. i put the cuttings in a mason jar on my window sill.
Hi Candace, I'm not sure why this happens. I think some basil plants are sturdier than others. I sometimes have a few of mine end up with black stems. But I do lots of cuttings so end up with lots of successful rooting as well.
I use to propogate all my plants and as a military spouse was able to share whenever we moved. As we moved from one base back to VA my husband left my plants in hotel and I didn't know until we were hundreds of miles away.😭 I lost my incentive and now decades later am refinding my passion for growing things. Thank you for your fabulous post that is not only informative but also inspirational.
Carol, thanks for your encouraging story! Scott's mom was his inspiration for gardening. She gave him some space in their yard back in the late 1950s for him to plant a vegetable garden. He has been so excited this past year to renew that love, with our posts last summer about the elevated raised bed system that he designed. Stay tuned, he is working on a series about building it and gardening in general this spring.
Your step by step photos are a great help! Thanking you both for your generosity!
Thanks Vikki!
Thanks for the lovely tutorial! I have had haphazard luck propagating my basil--I just cut stems and placed them in water. Now Ithat I see exactly where to make the cut, I should have more success! Thanks, Caryle
You're so welcome Caryle! I never can have enough basil on hand!
I'm glad I found this blog! I've got a basil plant that, after pruning is struggling to expand...I'm thinking it needs thinning and it seemed a shame to waste those other plants. I'm going to try and grow new plants from the cuttings!
You'll love it Kerri! It's such a great way to stretch your gardening dollars!
I had pinned your older post and have grown lots of basil. Wow great 'newer' post!
I would like your permission to steal one of your pics so I can add a link from my crazy page so folks can come here to gain all the wonderful, helpful instruction that I did. Basically I'm just lazy and you did such a wonderful job there is no way I could duplicate it myself. So, since I'm asking it won't really be stealing but I'd probably steal it anyway. Just the kind of crazy gal I am. Thanks in advance.
Thanks and glad you enjoyed the posts! Just link back to us!
If the roots turn brown, does that mean the plant is no longer viable and should not be potted?
Yes Angie, occasionally the stem will rot before it has the chance to root.
First time reader and I can already say that I'll be using this trick.
found this through pinterest and will be adding this to the pick up list for tomorrows errands. My 5 year old loves basil, tomatoes and cheese and causing us to eat up the plants we have in already. And he's finished with preschool so this will give him a fun experiment to do.
I enjoy an Herb Garden in my yard but this is an eye opener....having Basil all year! Wow! Thx.
I found this on Pinterest. It's exactly what I was looking for. I love fresh basil. Thanks!
Oh wow, it really works, i'm so so thankful!!!!! You're a genius!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aha! This is one of those "why didn't I think of that moments"! Even after purchasing several plants in spring, I never seem to have enough basil. Thank you (and your photographer) for so beautifully getting me started.
Best,
Bonnie
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing. Do you plant your basil in a garden or in containers? My garden isn't very big so I was thinking of trying doing containers this year but I would love to have TONS of basil.
Hi Katie,
We plant all our herbs in pots as we don't have a garden in the yard.
I am really looking forward to doing this!
I propagate mine this way too and I'm still envious of the drip system. 🙂
Thank you for the instructions, can't wait to try this. I love basil in almost anything. A lot of recipes l swap parsley to basil because l love it that much. Take care and thanks again.
So helpful and informative, Chris! Scott's photography is absolutely beautiful here. Definitely going to do this and pin at Pinterest to share! xo
Great great tips - we love fresh basil but it always looks so sad in the market during the winter!
Mary
LOVE these tips because I am like you, I forget about my little plant friends unless they are near me, LOL. I LOVE basil, so I will try this for sure!
Wow, this is quite easy! I cook with a lot of fresh herbs, and I particularly enjoy basil and mint. My mom in law gifted me mint from the Holy Land, and that grows wild in my garden every summer! Now I can do basil your way. I'll be the kitchen will smell heavenly! I can not way to try it and share it with others. Thanks!
A nice post…basil is such a wonderful herb to grow and it's hard to have too much. When I do, pesto comes to mind. 🙂
Great article. Where can I find the link for your watering system?
I almost forgot about your green thumb. You are usually dazzling me with something delicious from your kitchen! What a great tip---I will definitely do this with my next basil purchase. It will be more than a month before I can plant here (as you well know!). Hope you had a terrific Easter!!!
Great post. So useful!! I have had a basil plant on my window sill all winter long (which is no small feat through a Canadian winter). It's pretty straggly at this point though. Time to do some propagating 🙂
I know how well this works because I've tried it. Keep repeating it as far as I'm concerned so no one will miss it. This is a fabulous idea Chris.
Sam
Sharing this one, Chris, it's so helpful. I love fresh herbs but they hate me! I can't seem to keep them alive no matter what I do. I will try your method.
I have serious basil envy, Chris! Your plants are gorgeous!
I have to do this too. So much easier!
Thanks! I root cuttings all the time to expand my herbs/flowers but never thought of basil. Here in Idaho I need to wait awhile, even with our non-winter and very early spring but you can bet I'll have a forest of basil before the end of the month. Thanks Chris and Scott for the great idea and super fun blog--I've learned so much from you..
Lovely post Chris. I love having fresh basil to snip - sitting in my kitchen window!
I did it last year because of you..and I will again..My ♥ loves your turquoise pots:)
Honestly, I never knew you could grow basil in water! And I love it, too! You know literally everything about food, from growth to eating.