Propagating Basil In Glass Jar Of Water
basil propagation
(Image credit: HeikeRau)

There are plenty of herbs that you can plant in your herb garden, but the easiest herb to grow, tastiest, and most popular has to be basil. There are a couple of ways for propagating basil plants and both of them are quite simple. Let's look at how to propagate basil.

Planting Basil Seeds

When it comes to planting basil seeds, make sure you're planting basil seeds in an area where they will get six to eight hours of sunshine daily.

The soil should have a neutral pH so that they have the best chance of growing. Simply plant the seeds in a row and cover them with about 1/4-inch (6.5 mm.) of soil. Once the plants grow to a few inches (5 to 10 cm.) in height, thin them out to 6 to 12 inches (15-30.5 cm.) apart.

Planting Basil Seeds Indoors

You can plant your basil indoors as well. Be sure the pot is placed in an area where it will get daily sunshine and water your basil every seven to 10 days.

How to Propagate Basil from Cuttings

Basil propagation from cuttings is quite simple. In fact, propagating basil is one way to share your basil with your friends. All you need to do is take a 4-inch (10 cm.) basil cutting right below a leaf node. Remove the leaves off the basil cutting about 2 inches (5 cm.) from the end. Make sure the basil cutting is a piece that has not yet flowered.

Your basil cutting can then be placed in a glass of water on the windowsill where it can get good sunlight. Use a clear glass so you can watch your basil propagation grow roots. Change the water every few days until you see root growth, then leave your basil propagation roots to grow to about 2 inches (5 cm.) or so. This can take two to four weeks.

Once the roots on your basil cutting are 2 inches (5 cm.) or longer, you can plant the cutting in a pot indoors. Put the planter in a place where the plant will get direct sunlight.

Basil propagation is a great way to share your basil. Now that you know how to propagate basil, you can take new plantings and give them as gifts to friends or offer them to new neighbors as housewarming gifts.


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Kathee Mierzejewski
Writer

Kathee Mierzejewski was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, writing many of the site's foundational articles.