How To Grow Unlimited Basil From Cuttings (2019)

Basil cuttings is the easiest way to get free unlimited new basil plants! In this video, I show you how to grow unlimited Basil from cuttings in the easiest way possible. One single Basil plant can multiply into a dozen plants in less than a month. NEVER buy Basil again. Basil is one of many herbs that is so easy to root from cuttings. Simply cut the stems with 3-4 leaf nodes and place the cutting in a container of clean water, covering the last node. That is where the roots will start to appear from!
I propagate Basil from cuttings in the fall and the winter simply because it is faster and more reliable than seeds during the colder months where I have to grow Basil indoors.
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[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Continuing the Herb Series propagation videos, check out other submissions such as the Rosemary video from a while back. More to follow!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKWzeqKdZ86Kp5o Also, check out how to make a Vegan, Nut-Free Pesto Sauce here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/majRZ2Roe5KJpNU

[@hollynelson543]

!!!!

[@yannip2083]

Greatly appreciate your detailed step-by-step info on propagating basil from cuttings. This is THE BEST channel.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Yanni! :-)

[@Smellingwonderful]

I appreciate that your video was very detailed and thorough. I think you provided all the information I need to plant basil from cutting. Thanks for showing the entire process and the tips and provided! Really informative and enjoyable video. Please do videos on cilantro, parsley and lettuce next. Thank you.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much for watching Deidre! I've done a Cilantro from seed video a few weeks back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp3UpIVuic6XoLM I'll have a Lettuce from seed as well as a Lettuce regrow from a stump video coming up shortly! Cheers and all the best this summer!

[@ironrose888]

Just found your channel. My basil went to flower before I had a chance to take cuttings. Arg! I grow basil hydroponically and from cuttings if possible. It takes too long to grow from seeds. If I use cuttings then I don’t have to use rock wool. I can use foam circles to go around the stem and I don’t get too much algae growth. Awesome video and I love your greenhouse.

[@LADYKAT...]

12:30 at night! Lol! I'm not alone! Love this channel!!!!!!! And it's 12:32 at night right now!

[@elainec.4398]

Can't wait to do this. We have a pet bunny who loves Basil as a little treat. Now he can enjoy it home grown. Thank you so much for all the info. and I will be back for more growing tips.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Oh wow, Elaine, didn't now bunnies liked Basil! Cool! I knew they loved Cilantro...I had one that would eat it like spaghetti noodles and just inhale them, LOL!

[@tennesseenana4838]

You just answered the question I had about Basil earlier today while planning an herb area - THANK YOU. I'm looking forward to your other videos like this one.

[@jmtalk8980]

Greetings from San Antonio, Tx with 90+ degree weather. I just wanted to pop in here to compliment you on your clear, informative, 'can do' teaching~ I actually began viewing with the rosemary session but happily viewed this basil one right away. Basil is my favorite herb! I thank you for your efforts and am sure to comment on occasion as I try yet again to have a success with herbs~ Joyce

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

90F!! So lucky Joyce! But maybe that's a double edged sword with the heat.....herbs can be a tricky one. Best of lucky, thanks so much for all your support! 🍆🌱🍈🍓🌶🎋🍅🍍

[@hisuka044]

Wow, that answer my failed cuttings form before. I'm very excited to try it again with your method. Thank you for the very detailed tutorial. Will be back for more!

[@doloresmccarthy9279]

thank you for all your direction. often times long videos get off topic, and yours didn't. very helpful.. great job

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for that Dolores, much appreciated! Happy growing!🍅🍅🍅

[@glenwoodfin]

You answered my question about how long you should let the roots get before you plant them in soil. Your answer made sense.

[@d.d.f.2021]

Love learning about plants, thank you.

[@Axelle0409]

really great video thanks. I learned a lot from you.. Didn't realise about the 3 nodes and just leaving long enough to get those small roots. I'm guilty of leaving them in water way too long and ending up with long roots before planting. Your video was really informative and love your down to earth way of explaining why these things are important. The first part of your video you were out in your greenhouse after midnight -- sounds like me - do a lot of my gardening by moonlight. I dont have a greenhouse so I'll have to come up with a way to protect my seedlings while they're in the early stages.

[@Change4Good333]

Great demonstration!🌟 Very clear and didactic. Thank you so much!!🌻

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks, appreciate the kind words!

[@chuckabrahamson8071]

Very good presentation! Thank you!

[@johnwilks1563]

As always, great teaching.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks John!!

[@staffylover1950]

Awesome video, much appreciated. thanks from Australia.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, thanks for watching!! :-)

[@kalaichelvishantharam5896]

Thank you for your detailed infors. Please continue the new videos.

[@doireannhurley3399]

Many thanks for this very helpful guide. I learned a lot.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching Doireann! Happy growing!

[@bettybho2168]

Great super helpful advice, thanks!

[@carolynagabon2101]

Can't wait to see the basil grow!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Being in the Mint family... It grows FAST!

[@CITRUSCITRUS-ze7yr]

fantastic, you take your time to explain., thank you

[@goldilocks1964]

Great video, Jeff! 2nd time I've referred to it and was checking out your channel and noticed you have new smile! You look great! I planted some cuttings yesterday and have more cuttings growing now. Looking forward to lots of pesto soon! Btw, I noticed some mosquito pupa swimming about in your water (10:51-10:57). Hopefully, you have basil roots and can dump the water before you have hatched mosquitos!

[@CrazyAna1983]

Thank you so much for this wonderful and super helpful video. Me and my husband are really happy with our basil. We have recently planted the new batch from cuttings. It is amazing how those little buddies are growing. I have one question about pruning. I may have pruned my basil a bit too much. I have a strong main stem, but can't see any nodes, just very few tiny leaves on the side. Can that stem be saved? Thank you for your videos and for any help with my question. Keep up posting more great videos. :)

[@micheleinboden3530]

THANK YOU!

[@user-fp5lo6lj5m]

GREAT,THANK U

[@carmellayates2503]

I'm catching up with your lessons/advice .

[@nahnisjourney1406]

Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers!

[@fancyIOP]

LoL looking like you had a bottle or two of 🍻 beers. Thanks for the video.

[@flowercats8106]

And we love him for that! Lol I was thinking the same thing. And no problem with me! 😍

[@goombas7966]

Awesome !! Thanks For the Video !

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, thanks for watching! 🙂

[@goombasgoombas6058]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms cheers 🥂

[@carolynagabon2101]

Thank you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching Carolyn! :)

[@ws7990]

Love your videos. Very informative. Can you explain more about the clean water and where can I get it?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Just regular water with no additives or fertilizers.

[@hollynelson543]

Subscribed👍

[@hollynelson543]

Thank you so much to your response on MIgardener 😀

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

No problem Holly! That's the beauty of gardeners.... Pretty much all of us are willing to help!

[@citybarbs5563]

One trick I've picked up for using tap water is a little vitamin C powder will clear out chlorine or chloramine almost instantly. I do mean a little! 1000 mg will dechlorinate a full bathtub. A store brand is pretty cheap, too.

[@marionmiller3426]

You taught me so much .Can you Please help me?I have a beautiful jalapeno Plant Every time I turn around there's Beatles on it.

[@AnneSaulovich]

Thanks for the helpful video! Can you provide the dimensions of the pots you use (4 in. x 4 in?), and are there holes in the bottom of the pots? Also, can you provide more detail about presoaking the soil? When you say fill pots halfway with water to soak them, do you mean fill the pan the pots are sitting in with water? And then bring the water level in the pan up to about half the height of the pot?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Anne, thanks for watching! The 4" nursery pots are actually 3.5" x 3.5". When watering to soak the soil initially, I fill the tray to about 1/2 way and let them sit. I like watering from below as it does't blast the soil everywhere and the pots can soak up what they need.

[@elisasy8626]

Do you have a video on how to restore matured stem basil plants?

[@tinmangut]

Thanks for the videos. Just found your channel and subscribed! I’ve been gardening on and off for years with varying success. Lately I’ve been trying to root cuttings (mint) as well as get potatoes to root. In both cases they sat in water by the window (not too bright or hot) for many weeks without any signs of rooting. I changed the water every few days. Based on this I was thinking maybe I’d be more successful rooting basil directly in soil? Any tips are greatly appreciated!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on man, glad to have you aboard! I've always had the best success with water first, and then soil... Except with Raspberries and Blackberries.. They fail a lot when I try them in just water.

[@tinmangut]

The Ripe Tomato Farms Much appreciated! The basil cuttings rooted perfectly in water! Trying mint again...

[@LakshanaShivkumar]

Hey! Thanks a lot for this video! Possibly the best video I could find on growing basil from cuttings. My only question is, what happens to the plant we are taking the cutting from? do they regrow? or die?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's the beauty Lakshana...the adult plant actually NEEDS to be cut like this! It causes the plant to branch out even more and get bushier and produce more! Its win-win!!

[@LakshanaShivkumar]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Wow! Nature is fascinating! Thanks a lot for your reply! I look forward to more of your videos! :)

[@slk9104]

Thanks for this video! After planting, how wet should the soil be to maintain a healthy plant? All my basil keeps dying.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Moist for sure...but never wet and never standing in water.

[@emeraldgem561]

Hello Sir, are you using tap water?and how many days you spending them in water in waiting them rooting

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I like rain water the best, but tap water will do. Takes a couple of weeks to get them rooted.

[@kerrymain2235]

Hi Jeff presoak for 2hrs. Once transplanted the seedlings into 4 inch pots, using your potting mix (containing Alfa meal) -- do I water from bottom up or they will be ok for 2 weeks?

[@rainydaze9318]

Hi! Was wondering why you push the seedling so far to the bottom of the pot? Don't the roots need space to grow? Also, how long do you keep them in those pots and know when to transplant them in a garden or container? Thanks for this video!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey rainy, I like to put plants like Basil further down (tomatoes too!) because they send out roots from their stems called "adventitious roots". So even though the bottom of the plant is far down, the plant itself will pop out roots all along that stem that's buried in the soil, giving infinitely more root structure. I move the Basil along whenever I get the time. About a month or so later. Heat and light make them grow FAST! Cheers.

[@evonneyoung7183]

How much do you typically sell your repotted basil cuttings if you don’t mind me asking? I’m looking to sell starter plants and want an idea on pricing. Thanks! 😀

[@ronnie7701]

Cool!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

:-)

[@crazypiratesquirrel3038]

Great video! But here the question I can't find the answer to anywhere. Do you trim on only green stems or are the brown woody stems ok also? I rescued a basil plant from my neighbor who was throwing it out due to cold weather. She didn't harvest/trim regularly and it's overgrown with woody brown stems. Green only or is brown ok?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey man, kudos on the plant rescue! I trim ALL stems, but the brown ones may not send out new side shoots. Interesting to see though.

[@catm2454]

I live in a climate with hot summer and cold winter (no snow but frost) .......should I root them inside or outside...I've seen people put plastic over the top ...I haven't had much luck just in pots when I've tried cuttings......I am great at water cuttings

[@riyathomas7976]

The roots shouldn’t be too long before transferring the plant into soil. Is this applicable to all plants which we transfer to soil?

[@robynmize4713]

thanks for the timeline.... about 9 days. Good to know... anything longer will be too dependent on water.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Exactly. If it takes longer than a week to 9 days to start rooting, something is wrong. Basil roots FAST!

[@TacosTandoori]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms yeah maybe I have this problem, mine was way longer than 15 days and still no roots, what is wrong? :(

[@jenniferb1600]

Can I just spray the soil instead of having a pot of water beneath soil pot? Thx:-)

[@Aar0nDown]

What if my Basil roots are higher up on the stem and not on the bottom, could I simply cut off all the excess stem so that the roots are closer to the bottom i’ve been growing for two weeks in water

[@nwlady1844]

you said to keep newly potted plants in a "cool" spot. So... less than 70 degrees? not in a south facing window in a house? no direct sun outside and temps less than 70?? thank you this video is VERY helpful!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Well, they are still fairly tropical plants. 70F is fine. Even 80F is fine. Its the hot dry weather that causes the plants to bolt (flower) that you're trying to avoid. As well, to get the new roots used to soil, you don't want to stress the plants, so a moderate heat of 70-75F and no direct sunlight for a couple of weeks is ideal. :-)

[@nwlady1844]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you so much for the info. I have been pretty unsuccessful with basil in the past. I think I will do better now.

[@acoladilla]

After moving the plant to a pot with soil, should I then put it in direct sunlight and for how many hours?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Basil is pretty forgiving in terms of light levels. I have grown it in shade/indirect light just fine....it also grows in full sun just great as well! Just move it gradually to full sun if the leaves aren't use to it yet though....

[@bobo888bobo]

At 7:39 you said "it doesn't matter if you scar the stem". "where you scar the stem likely that's where new roots will pop out." How do you scar the stem? Does pulling off the leaves count as scarring?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey fred, with Basil, you really don't have to. They root so easily. Honestly, just pull off the leaves and stick in water and they'll root,

[@macky16002]

I face transplant shock when I try to put it from water to soil. I have a shock too.😅. How to avoid it or to do transplant softly? Thanks I think I pre soak the soil 1/2 in water then I do the transplantation as the following...then shall my basil be less transplant shock?

[@nourdukmak5255]

So I mostly followed your technique using sage clippings and they grew roots and everything. I planted them with some commercial potting mixture and now they're wilting :(. Is this normal or could I be doing something wrong? Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So close Nour! Often when going from water to a soil solution, the change in moisture, temperature, pH as well as TDS levels will cause a plant shoot to go into shock. I can't way why exactly they would be wilting without seeing the soil, but it seems to me like the Sage roots did NOT like the change in growing parameters that was given to them. Sorry Nour. :(

[@Space-Fonzo-7]

I'm just curious what's swimming around in the water that's the basil is sitting in lol

[@bencyber8595]

do you cut the basil brunch, & dip in the water for 5 day, then plant it into the soil, done

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Sometimes they take longer to root than 5 days...

[@Chris-wk8nu]

do you fertelize basil??

[@ivyking4431]

Great video! I have a question though. Since I didn't see your video before, I took off all of the leaves from my cutting right before planting it in soil. Will this still work?

[@AnthonyPerez]

Did it?

[@ivyking4431]

@@AnthonyPerez Nope, my basil is as dead as can be. 🥲 But probably because of other reasons too, like overwatering, the climate...

[@AnthonyPerez]

@@ivyking4431 basil is a hard one. Very fragile.

[@henryhernandez5392]

How do you prevent the tips of the cutting from rotting?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Henry, if you cut about 2cm below the third node and get them straight into room-temperature water, the stem should definitely not rot.

[@jefffavelle857]

This is the only way I can grow Basil in the winter. The seeds just don't germinate reliably for me in the colder months, even on heat mats.

[@seemaajpoddar949]

Should I put the cutting of basil in water & keep it in sunlight?? Should I change the water of the glass daily??

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I like to put mine in water until I see roots appearing. I try not to put it in direct sunlight at that point as that doesn't seem to help.

[@kerrymain2235]

Hi Jeff, I'm feeling I lucked out. I love basil and it seems to be sticking is tongue out at me... geez... both cuttings and starters are doing poorly. Cuttings --- It's day 15, the stems are going brown and there are some nodes, at a stretch 1mm... nothing like your wonderful root nodes, or roots. I have 24. One is exception. This one is the only flimsy like cutting. Rest have strong shoot, eg 3mm thick. This one nodes appeared on day 7, now they are going brown rather than stay beautifully white. Just that one. I've changed water. They are southern facing window sill. It's super hot here. So am think failed....I start again.go but another basil plant and take cuttings, this time look for one with flimsy stem, versus string 3mm stem...

[@kerrymain2235]

The nodes started this week. I think it was because used tap water first. It's week 3 and now the shoots are like a few mm long... maybe 4 more days then I can transplant

[@johnmaclean2040]

❤️

[@momgonzalez4085]

😊

[@bvskitchen1045]

👏👍🏻

[@RememberRox]

I can never get my basil cuttings to grow roots in water. I'm a beginner at this and i started with mint, they grow roots fast in water but my basil cutting always rot. I have much better luck planting them directly in soil!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Heat and fresh water... That's the key

[@jayeimanuelllc]

omg what is swimming in your third cup??

[@milenkostadinov8702]

Hello. I was regrowing basil forever and got on your video curious about one thing. If you get cuttings from a young plant, obviously it will regrow to a happy new plant. Having that said, however, how would you be propagating cuttings from a mature plant that has already fkowered as the stems get pretty dried and solid and if you manage to get roots on them, theu will "know" they are adult plants and start flowering inatead of building leaves again (which we need). In other words, is really the basil supply all year round for your home from the same cutrings over and over or you mix growth from.seeds and cloned young planta to be able to take correct cuttings? No offence, just curriosity how you manage to get over that as i habe hundreds of mature plants and any time they are regrown, they are flowering in a week just creating a few leqves that is not the supply of fresh greens we need... Thanks for sharinf the video..

[@OakKnobFarm]

Great tip! What's your first name, friend? We have constant back and forth, and I should know your name by now ;) - Dave ;)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

It's Jeff!

[@OakKnobFarm]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsHi Jeff! I'm Dave!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@OakKnobFarm ha ha, awesome!

[@5beansalad]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms wholesome

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@5beansalad basil literally is! I could eat it, in some form, every day!

[@stevebowers9424]

Turn up the volume or use a mic can’t hear you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

This video is 3 years old

[@marionmiller3426]

Someone said the pet 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 16 oz of water On my plant.Stupid me I did it And then read a lot of complaints That their plants lost leaves etc.So I went outside washed it all off And a new dirt. Help Please. LOL

[@marionmiller3426]

This is all about Beatles

[@hairrum]

A friend of mine puts a little of her urine in water and applies to her basil and they grow beautifully ❤❤❤

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha Luci, yup, people do that too!

[@Nia-uq2pl]

Gross

[@henryhernandez5392]

My basil cuttings wont grow roots :(

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Henry, I feel the frustration....been there. Have you tried adding more heat?

[@Marioisnotbald]

Last comment 2 mon ago

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Video from 5 years ago too! Basil is timeless

[@Marioisnotbald]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsyes I have to do this immediately

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@Marioisnotbald you won't regret it!

[@Marioisnotbald]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms yeah I'm regrowing green onion too

[@Marioisnotbald]

🧏🤫