Basil is a fragrant herb that is popular for its use in Italian dishes, as well as other cuisines. It’s also an easy herb to propagate from cuttings.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of growing basil from cuttings and offer some tips to make sure your basil grows big and strong.
Step #1: Gather Supplies
Before getting started, make sure you have all the necessary supplies to ensure successful propagation. You’ll need a pair of scissors, a few pots or containers with drainage holes at the bottom, soil, and some basil plants.
Make sure to pick healthy basil plants that are free of disease or pests.
Step #2: Prepare Cuttings
Once you have your supplies gathered, it’s time to prepare the cuttings for planting. Using sharp scissors, carefully snip off 4-inch pieces from each stem just below a leaf node—this is where new leaves and roots will grow from.
Make sure each cutting has at least two leaves on it so they can photosynthesize while they are rooting. After snipping off the pieces, strip away any lower leaves so that only two remain on each cutting.
Step #3: Plant Cuttings
Once the cuttings are ready, fill your pots or containers with soil up to a couple of inches below their rims and arrange the cuttings in them so that their nodes are fully covered by soil but their top leaves remain above ground level.
Water them thoroughly until water starts flowing out of the drainage holes at the bottom—this ensures all parts of the soil get wet and helps facilitate root growth over time.
Place them in bright light but not direct sunlight; too much sun can scorch tender young plants before they have had time to develop some hardiness.
Step #4: Care for Your Cuttings
After planting your cuttings, take care not to overwater them as sitting in soggy soil can lead to root rot or fungal diseases which can kill them quickly if left unchecked.
Check on them every few days—if they look wilted, give them some water; if they look vibrant and healthy then leave them be until next time!
In addition, make sure they get plenty of sunlight and that their soil stays consistently moist without getting overly wet by using a spray bottle or misting system when needed.
With proper care and attention, your basil should be ready for harvesting within 8 weeks!
Conclusion
Growing basil from cuttings is an easy way for growers to produce more plants quickly and cheaply with minimal effort required on their part.
All it takes is gathering some supplies like scissors and pots/containers with drainage holes at the bottom; preparing your cuttings; planting those cuttings; watering them thoroughly; giving them lots of bright light but not direct sunlight, and monitoring moisture levels so that you don’t overwater them or let them dry out too much!
With these steps followed diligently over 8 weeks or so, you should have plenty of delicious basil ready for harvesting!