Growing your own basil is actually a total breeze! Whether you want to start from scratch with seeds or try your hand at cloning with cuttings, you’ve got options. Here is everything you need to know to get your herb garden thriving.
Growing from Cuttings
First things first, you’ll need to take some cuttings from an existing basil plant. Just like when you’re harvesting for a recipe, snip off a stem about 4 inches long, making the cut right above a leaf node. Strip off the bottom two pairs of leaves—this is super important because you don’t want them sitting in water where they’ll just rot or get moldy. Pop your stems into a glass of fresh water and find a nice spot for them. They love warmth and light, but keep them out of direct, scorching sunlight for now. In just a few days, you’ll see tiny white roots sprouting. About two weeks later, they’ll be ready to move into their permanent home in a pot.
Potting Your New Plants
- Grab a pot (about 8 inches wide) and fill it with high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil .
- Use your index finger to poke a little hole in the dirt.
- Gently tuck your cutting into the hole, roots first.
- Make sure those roots are pointing down and not curling back up. If they’re being stubborn, you can use a small wooden stick or pencil to gently guide them into the soil.
- Once you’ve got about 10-15 cuttings in the pot, press the soil down firmly and give them a good drink of water.
- Keep the pot in a warm, bright location.
Growing from Seed
Starting basil from seeds takes a little more patience, but the variety of flavors you can find is way bigger, so it’s totally worth the extra effort!
One thing to remember: basil seeds are “light germinators.” This means they need light to wake up, so don’t bury them under a thick layer of soil or sand.
Here’s your quick guide to sowing:
- Fill an 8-inch pot with nutrient-rich potting mix.
- Scatter about 15-20 seeds across the surface. If you go overboard and sow too many, you’ll just have to thin them out later.
- Place a saucer under the pot and water very gently so you don’t wash the seeds away.
- Place the pot in a warm spot away from direct sun.
- Keep a close eye on them over the next few weeks—the soil needs to stay consistently moist.
Pro Tip: To keep the moisture locked in, you can stretch some clear plastic wrap over the top of the pot. Secure it with a rubber band to create a mini greenhouse effect!