Propagating Basil: Grow an INFINITE Supply Forever

Learning how to grow basil is one thing. But learning how to propagate basil FOREVER...an entirely different story. In this video we're going to go through the entire process of cloning basil from start to finish. You'll see where to take your basil cutting, two different methods for rooting basil, as well as the transplanting process after your cuttings take root.
IN THIS VIDEO
→ Full Article: growepic.co/3RXqZfI
→ TakeRoot Rooting Hormone: amzn.to/2SxgCA1
SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING
→ Shop: growepic.co/shop
→ Seeds: growepic.co/botanicalinterests
LEARN MORE
→ All Our Channels: growepic.co/youtube
→ Blog: growepic.co/blog
→ Podcast: growepic.co/podcasts
→ Discord: growepic.co/discord
→ Instagram: growepic.co/insta
→ TikTok: growepic.co/tiktok
→ Pinterest: growepic.co/pinterest
→ Twitter: growepic.co/twitter
→ Facebook: growepic.co/facebook
→ FB Group: growepic.co/fbgroup
DISCLAIMER
Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. More info on our process: www.epicgardening.com/disclai...

[@epicgardening]

What should I propagate for my next propagation video?

[@monicaortez272]

Are you kidding me, what else can we propagate?!!? This is so exciting!!! You really have taught me so much lol As you can tell I'm a baby gardener lol!!

[@AssNuggett]

Pineapple.

[@lilyli2460]

Tonka bean， Tonka bean， and Tonka bean PLZ ！

[@dschott1083]

Moringa please

[@sitearm]

how about common sage? can that be propogated, where do you take a cutting, etc? ty !

[@MasterKenfucius]

Suggestion for you that will improve your success rate: Do the excess trimming a day before you sever that branch from the mother plant. That way it has 24 hours to heal and close its wounds. Less stressed out plants have a tendency to survive propagation by cuttings a lot better.

[@callumclark2331]

ah never thought to do that. Genuis!

[@azlizzie]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing. Might try my hand at this tomorrow.

[@manewry66tw]

Good one. Thanks.

[@ruthhernandez2922]

Very good!

[@mr.santos5205]

Thanks!

[@kyokoro_p]

Me: minding my business KZbin recommendations: *I N F I N I T E B A S I L*

[@momentousfunds1746]

was my video on basil in your recommendations?

[@robgoose]

LOL, they is listening. I had just used basil in my smoothie. I have looked at zero other gardening videos. Or basil videos for that matter. Yet here we are.

[@floepiejane]

Lol!

[@MyGreenNest]

Apparently you must basil now

[@katieled8909]

he looks like one of the Property Brothers... a propagate brother

[@rolandneal9519]

Katie led thank you

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

He needs to try and trademark that name!

[@peepgal]

Better though.

[@judithdion7746]

Oh yes! I thought the same thing! He’s great!

[@carleah1]

Katie led That’s what I thought

[@carsonskjerdal473]

..announces the 100k subscriber achievement.. I look over.. Epic Gardening now has 2.64M subscribers. Damn that is some serious success in the past 4 years, well done.

[@estuardoruiz5373]

I started with a single plant that I purchased at a grocery store and have almost 20 plants, I have given several to family; all thanks to your guidance through this video. Thank you!

[@jkschulte3448]

I never realize how much I’m into this type of gardening/plant care. Zen

[@dirkklapzeiker4891]

I never realised that plants are so magnificent! When your young you know jack shit lol, love mother nature

[@skitzabod7727]

It's my meditation after the night shift. Helps me wind down for the day and gives me a bunch of free therapy as I talk to them. I give them CO2 and they give me nomz and a bit of serenity.... It's the only codependent relationship I've ever enjoyed.

[@paisley1134]

Finally straight forward directions without all the blah,blah! Love this channel! Thank you.

[@cobrian45]

I've been cutting my basil per your instruction and it is so bushy we can't even eat enough, having to dry it just so it doesn't go to waste. Might not propagate it to get more right now, but I love the knowledge for later.

[@kamieaston3016]

Sell it to restruants, a lot of chefs like fresh ingredients but I haven't heard one shy away from dry ingredients. I think you can get about a dollar or two per ounce, or about sixteen per pound.

[@sparkyjones560]

You can buy small gumdrop size ice cube trays and grind it up in a food processor or blender with olive oil and freeze it into cubes for sauces and even a quick start pesto if you freeze with larger trays. Drying works too of course. I just found blending with Olive oil and freezing is another option and pretty fast compared to drying and crumbling.

[@sixstrings1063]

You can freeze it or make pesto too

[@cynthiakisik7140]

Everything you have shown us on your channel has improved my green thumb tremendously…especially with my basil! I propagated my bail to create two new plants for my family members and they were impressed :) I’m so appreciative and am stoked I found your videos. Thank you so much!

[@williammueller768]

I have watched a lot of different channels about propagating. Many are extremely informational, but not as short and concise. I really enjoyed this episode. Simple to follow. Thanks and keep up the good work

[@patphares6258]

You’re tops in my books. Enjoy your calm voice, combined with down to earth knowledge. A winner! Thank you for your sharing.

[@victoriaperez3574]

I'm loving your channel! I've been bingeing your episodes. Seeing your houseplant set up in these older videos, I can't wait to see what your houseplant game will look like in your new house!

[@kc3621]

Dude I've been propagating so much basil it's ridiculous. Just cut and drop into water works well...but I've noticed putting it into a glass bottle works faster than a plastic bottle. I leave them in full sun and swap water every other day. Have to keep an eye on the evaporation, roots develope in about 5 or 6 days. I have a longer stem so when i plant i can plant deeper and keep the leaves off the ground. Liking your channel. I started with migardener (he's my sensei of gardening)...slowly expanding my pie of different gardeners of which you're a terrific one. $2.37 for a container with 3 small plant and i have planted 9 with the original 3 going strong.

[@epicgardening]

Interesting, why do you think that is...less evap? Appreciate the kind words...definitely trying to put my own spin on the gardening game :)

[@kc3621]

@@epicgardening i think maybe the glass lets in a bit more intense light...not sure but it works awesome and the roots are like a mini duster, not just a few strands. And take any tomato leaf...same deal roots a couple days after the basil. Just make sure its healthy and have the bottle filled with water so it goes in immediately. Full sun for about 7hrs. Til your next video.👍👍👍

[@aanawenjigewin]

So far my holy trinity of gardening videos: migardener, epic gardening, and self sufficient me. Scratch that, I also watch urban gardener as well, he does more container gardening stuff :)

[@kc3621]

@@aanawenjigewin i just checked out self sufficient me, and his thumb looks like will sasso of mad tv doing kenny rogers...that's hilarious. I will try one of his videos...like trying a particular item from a sampler plate.😀👍

[@lovealexander3475]

Marie Chalykoff I watch all of those gardeners too!!

[@kimberlyd317]

Wow! How far you’ve come in less than two years! 100k to over a million subs! Just a wealth of info!

[@Pattyanyana6064]

I came back to this video to seek professional guidance in basil propagation, and I remembered the first time I watched you were at 100K subs. Love your content and your passion for everything plants. Congratulations on your success Kevin!

[@ACV1996]

I’ve been trying to garden for years and your videos are so helpful ... so glad I found your channel :)

[@kensearle4892]

Basil is great! I do cuttings in water as well. Interesting, I cut above the node instead of under it. I don't have a stem leftover on the potted plant and two leaves underneath bush out. The cutting gets roots at the bottom of the stem and any nodes in the water. Seems like yours gets about the same amount of roots. Looks like it works either way! I love Basil:-) My goal this year is to see how far I can keep them going inside in the late fall and winter.

[@julialanglois7506]

Thanks Kevin! Love your videos, just binge watching all of them. You are so precise and clean in your explanation. I'm all the way in Montreal, Canada but I bought your book! Cheers! Keep on inspiring us :)

[@iheartherbs]

Wow, way back at only 100,000 subs. You've come A LONG LONG WAY! Been here for the journey and appreciate you're content created. Bless You

[@rademfam6856]

Dude love your little sitting room inside your house with all the cool plants you got chillin everywhere

[@HeatherHasToStartSomewhere]

Thank you for the video! I have had my basil for 3 years and propagated it several times this year using the same water process you did☺

[@epicgardening]

Glad to hear that!

[@nervouss]

Does it continue to produce after flowering? I usually pull mine then.

[@klomax7089]

Congrats on this huge KZbin milestone! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I really love your videos, keep up the great work! 😊

[@lilquentint2447]

I love basil, I love youtubers that don’t have the need to yell through a whole video for likes Your channel = my favorite discovery this week so far :)

[@gloriscorner1472]

I thought it was going to be more difficult. Now I’m going to do this when I get the chance. I’m happy I saw this video. Thank you so much ❤

[@Pawketz]

So glad the book is doing well my man, I'm loving my copy! I'm planting the Rainbow Swiss Chard you sent me for my pre order in my hydro unit today, can't wait for the colors!

[@epicgardening]

Thanks my friend, so glad to hear that. Keep me posted on how it goes!

[@MichalOlender]

Definitely trying this! Almost 500k subscribers, doing well, congrats man.

[@kellymartin2820]

Thank you so much! I'm actually looking at making plants my career path so I will be watching more and more of your videos in preparation for my studies! I am already a big fan and find your videos not only educational but entertaining as well. thanks again!

[@slowpoke4557]

And now your up to 1.91 MILLION subscribers! Just helped you propagate that number by one, thanks for the content!

[@nicaberdein8650]

When taking your cutting also lightly scrap the bottom stem 2 inches all around from top to bottom. Roots will grow out the whole stem :) cool vid

[@miketruong0808]

Thai basil is my all time favourite herb, many thanks for the great tips to propagate. Can you do a follow up video on tips to grow the propagated cuttings through the colder months?

[@billderinbaja3883]

Exactly what I was looking for, starting an herb garden with basil, lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, etc... headed to watch your other videos.

[@jansorkatie]

Just started growing basil this year and this answered so many of my questions!!!!

[@charlycheer]

Perfect timing! Last week I was like "I need to start propagating basil."

[@epicgardening]

I have heard your thoughts and delivered

[@lynettemiller6519]

I actually just discovered this be accident last week. I put some basil in water because I cut too much and voila!

[@seaamundsen4687]

This is awesome! My poor basil plant is straggling and very leggy and I was trying to figure out what to do to revive it.

[@native_earth916]

Excellent job Kevin, you have done alot of hard work and put in the time for that award, well deserved brotha!

[@frasersgirl4383]

I grew some columnar basil from cuttings this year and I rooted them in water and then put them in soil!! They are beautiful!!

[@aimeehodgin6359]

Congrats on being Amazon's top seller for you book! I love Basil! This was super informative! I am going to now go out & propagate my Thai basil, I have a lush purple basil & I have basic basil that I am excited about cutting! Cheers! :)

[@aanawenjigewin]

Congrats on the 100k plaque! Definitely deserve it. I’m inspired to do micro greens in the winter because of your channel and will definitely use your tips. I also like the farm/garden tours, you find the most unique places! Of course you share useful tips. Propagating-wise, I’m trying to grow sage for cooking (my fav herb to cook with), so maybe that?

[@epicgardening]

Thank you Marie! Will add sage to my list, I have a ton of it!

[@chrissewell1608]

I just watched this... again, on 09-30-2021: As of today you have went from your proud 100K subscribers to 1.4 Million. (If I read that right?) Now that deserves some KUDOS! Congratulations. Keep up the great work!

[@qkcmnt1242]

I'm 4 years LATE, but congrats on your milestone with KZbin! I have some woody basil plants that are starting to look bad, so wondered if it were feasible to propagate them to save them and perhaps make more. Thus led me to this flick. Thanks 👍🏻 for the hope you gave me here. 😊

[@doodahgurlie]

Hahaha! The ending with the KZbin plaque was awesome. Belated congrats!!

[@epicgardening]

Thank you!

[@lesleeg9481]

Thanks for this video. I just made a couple cuttings in water from my garden plants that are almost ready to bolt. Can't wait to grow basil forever.

[@merianfontelera2941]

Excellent presentation, I love the way you deliver your lectures. Thanks I just bought basil plant again so I’ll follow your advise. More power to you. 🙏👏🏻

[@DamarisNeyra]

Rosemary!!! That’s like the logical next choice for me :)

[@epicgardening]

I've got plenty to do it with!

[@aussiewanderer6304]

Rosemary? Who's got thyme for rosemary?!

[@jrdube]

@@aussiewanderer6304 OH NO YOU DI-INT!!

[@ninjabieber7695]

@@jrdube stop

[@jensclarberg6419]

@@jrdube DI-MINT

[@mateowhite6906]

I never have enough basil in my household so I’m cloning like crazy, I have 5 strong basil plants. And I think I’m going to grow some more because I want to let some of them flower because they attract bees and they’re so pretty

[@TashaDivine]

YES, my basil was so happy it got out of control and my bees love it so it's a win win

[@mhlorenzo]

Oh, I just discovered this channel! I will be checking it all out! Loved this video! Thanks!

[@reshabriella]

I tried it out and I now have two basil plants growing nicely. Actually, the first plant needs to be pruned again. Thanks, Plant Daddy!

[@jc6226]

Thanks for another great vid! I did an experiment with basil and tried to propagate the upper portions of a flowering plant. They rooted fine, but flowering chemicals had replaced growth chemicals and so they did not grow much at all. Regarding cloning chemicals: Most manufacturers state that they should not be used on edible plants. There may be safer alternatives to common rooting compounds, and rooting hormones are commonly used, but this is something people should consider. When cloning, I feel getting the cutting into water asap is more important than rooting hormones in order to avoid air bubbles and contamination of the main stem. I trim extra foliage before clipping main stem so cutting can go straight into water or rockwool. Honestly, even cuttings from plants far gone to seed want to grow, so roots will come with time; and, generally, that amount of time is not greatly decreased with rooting hormone (although overall success rate typically goes up slowly as number of cuttings increases.)

[@epicgardening]

hey there, great feedback both of you! Honey is unique, because it is antiseptic so it can help prevent disease, but it does not contain any hormone within it to actually produce Roots. Common misconception. It's still useful, but it is not an equal kind of substitute for rooting hormone

[@jovanabasaric9047]

I coat my basil and mint cuttings in powdered cinnamon, it works great too, and it is 100% safe for edible plants.

[@shadowthoughts7959]

This works for virtually every herb. In fact, most plants that have a “fleshy” stem will do this (if it feels like a succulent, it works).

[@karldomrose]

Love your videos. I think I will go and trim my basil and start rooting some today! I also went on Amazon and ordered your book. Looking forward to reading it.

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

What a great video! Thanks so much! Basil is so expensive these days and I’m so happy to learn your technique. I had a plant that dried last year. I left it outside and this year, omg, it came back and it is so Beautiful! I will do more plants! Blessings and be safe. New subscriber!

[@beanscornbread1381]

you should put this video on the end screen video suggestion for the "How to Prune Basil So It Grows Forever!" video you did 4 years ago. i would have definitely clicked it!

[@theperfecttoolmk]

Rosemary and thyme are pretty popular maybe propagating those? Also if you could make one for beginners on how to set up pots, like the process of the soil and stuff would be cool.

[@davidhoward2412]

Congrats on your award. You deserve it. You give excellent plant advice

[@andreac4319]

CONGRATS on your achievement! Truly awesome. You are my go to for gardening knowledge 💪

[@jillam7039]

Loved this video! I am new to gardening. Do I use both the rooting hormone AND Mykos when propagating basil ? Thank you for all you do to encourage and motivate new gardeners to keep exploring and learning.

[@seshymcsesherton6923]

I saved two plants last year when they’re fully flowered. now I have thousands of seeds for micro greens.

[@pullingweeds-managingcptsd252]

Seshy McSesherton I’d like to do this...details?

[@bryanwelch766]

Thank you. Propagation of herbs is great and you explain the process well.

[@marktindal2186]

Thanks, new subscriber - well delivered and simple - no shouting "what's up guys" like everyone else on KZbin.

[@theresawatkins6948]

Hey Eric, I watch plant and plant propagation videos al the time for the past several years. I’ve never come across any of your videos about propagation. I really enjoyed your style of teaching. Detailed and the before and after info was great. I really don’t get much success when I propagate with my Hydrangeas. It’s just not happening right for me. I’m in Dallas zone 8 a. Well I subscribed for your videos in the future. Thanks so much for your detailed and thorough teaching videos. I would love a video about Annabelle Hydrangeas propagation 101. I’m not doing something right. 😂 lol 07/26/19. Keep up with your awesome videos. Theresa

[@whitneywhite9599]

Love this! For some reason I've had a hard time this year transplanting my cuttings from water to soil. This helped a lot. Would love to see thyme propagation. I've been told it's possible, but I can never get it to root before it rots in the water

[@epicgardening]

I'll do some thyme as well! Really good mantra is to root before you rot

[@EccoWolf1]

@@epicgardening I just adopted quite a few herbs for my Kitchen, Sweet Baseil, Lemon Thyme, rosemary, cilantro, Garden Sage, and Italian Parsley, but I'm not sure what all propagate from cuttings.

[@Thetinyfit]

Currently binging your channel and feeling very inspired! Thanks for all your amazing information!

[@vraquel7]

I am learning so much and unlearning as well. Thank you for passing on your knowledge.

[@mml1224]

id like to see this guy on fig trees....good stuff, 1st time sub

[@bomaite1]

When rooting in soil, poke a pencil in the soil where you want to plant. That way you don't scrape off most of your rooting compound when you spear the stem into the soil. You are also not likely to break the stem when you hit a hard spot in the soil. Just pack the soil around the stem with two fingers.

[@oabuseer]

Isn't that what he did in the video?

[@Dysfunctionality15]

@@oabuseer With the water-propagated basil, yes. I believe bomaite1 is referring to the ones he propagated directly in soil.

[@nutritionadviceclinic992]

Your videos are amazing!! Clear, visual, easy to follow and inspiring 🌻🌻🌻

[@wdennis8]

Love you videos. I use to have a black thumb but thanks to your channel it’s a healthy green thumb.

[@commentsectionspam2026]

Lol I clone my weed this same way

[@commentsectionspam2026]

Oops tomato’s

[@epicgardening]

Hope your "tomatoes" are crushing it

[@jc6226]

Should my 'tomatoes' be bright red, or is that just my cheap chinese led?

[@nervouss]

You have to do this before the Flowers appear?

[@arbancito5049]

nervouss Yes.

[@kandaceweaver6987]

Hello! Loved your video! ❤️ I’m new to gardening & this will be my first little experiment. If propagating in water, does the basil need direct sunlight? I live in an apartment & want to use my windowsill or balcony but it doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight. Also, I watched another video in which someone suggested that only the leaves need sunlight & to cover the glass with black construction paper because giving the roots direct sunlight may cause the plant to die. Is this true?

[@mmommo-hx4dx]

someone commented above keep it in full sun, swap out water every other day, watch out for evaporation!

[@odelsantos6624]

Congratulations! I just recently subscribe and love how thorough your videos are. I'm learning day by day. Thank so much!

[@jennoury249]

I’m a beginner, trying both methods today! 🤗

[@terredee]

I’d love to know how to propagate dill. I’ve got a robust little guy and want to keep it going. Also like to know about sterilizing pots and tools. Can’t find any food grade hydrogen peroxide (no stabilizers) and wonder if stabilized H2O2 is ok to use. All the years I’ve been growing things and never done it, but recently lost several plants including some favorites to slow death, leaf by leaf. Think it might have something to do with some compost a friend gave me that I used to plant, but didn’t know what to do. Also love to know more about the Mako you used in this video, and the Azos the same company offers, and why that brand. Are they both necessary, can they be used together, how to use... Thank you for your informative, friendly, practical videos!

[@tamijoiskewl]

U can just let the dip go to seed... Start a plant anytime you want or about the time the bud begins on your existing plant... Dill is like a weed, grows so easily

[@sweetpeabee4983]

I'm pretty sure that dill is like cilantro, in that cuttings just fail if you try to grow from them? Anyway, as T Otis says, letting it go to seed and starting from that is probably your best bet.

[@gian323]

As an amateur pizza guy, this is great info

[@sireneone6527]

Gardening is a passion, but watching this gorgeous man is becoming my new obsession 🥰 Of course it’s highly informative I’m listening! I’m just also in a trance don’t judge me! 🤦‍♀️

[@nettekalahiki4517]

Hi, because of your teachings I’ve learned a new word starts with “P” lol! I’m going to test my skills and start planting 🪴

[@Donna_G]

This was interesting. Can you root other herbs in water using this method? I only grew cilantro this year; but, may try other herbs in the coming years. I've watched videos where gardeners have rooted tomato cuttings in water and were successful in getting roots to grow. I tried it and the cuttings just turned to slime; so, I know I did something wrong. I've also tried just sticking the cuttings into soil and kept them watered. Unfortunately, the cuttings withered away and turned into dust. I must have not done something that I should have done.

[@epicgardening]

Hey Donna, if you check my Instagram a few posts down I actually have an entire video on doing exactly that with tomatoes. With cuttings, generally the softer the cutting the easier it is to root in water. With hardwood cuttings, I prefer soil in rooting hormone

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

Nurseries don't get rich, though. Skills like this should be considered becoming more adept at gardening and self reliant rather than saving money.

[@deenam3317]

Thanks for no-nonsense directions! Subscribed ❤

[@laurenwong9299]

We love basil and eat it all the time but it gets so expensive! Looking forward to propagating our basil cuttings!

[@dscottes]

How about growing Chinese Garlic Chives. I keep trying to grow from seeds and nothing germinates.

[@epicgardening]

Great idea...adding to list

[@profchaos9001]

Must be the seeds. I grew some from seed and the germination ratio was decent. Worth mentioning is that im a beginner and i dont really kno what im doing 😂😂

[@mytech6779]

Allium(chives onions garlic etc) are cool weather plants with very short seed life, they germinate best around 60f [290kelvin], although they will germinate just above freezing if given two months, they do not like temperatures over 80f [300K]. Allium seeds should be fresh for that season, if stored for more than one year most will be dead.

[@zanesmith666]

hey guys, just a messenger from the rest of the world. If you have a friend called Herbet, you don't call him Erbert, so please dont call them Erbs. Thanks.

[@MysteryASMR777]

Love how concise your videos are dude

[@connecticutaggie]

One year I could not find the basils I wanted at the garden store so I bought fresh basil stems from the grocery store and propagated those.

[@ride5600]

As an aussie, all that talk of pulling tugging and rooting really got me interested

[@letstalk6007]

The root hormone works great, i plant and replant a lot of stuff around the yard.

[@jazzy-cw2xj]

Straight to the point and clear instructions. Love this

[@chausd2972]

I always learned something from you, Eric! Thank you.🙂🙏

[@susancerroni6671]

I used to be very into herb gardening when I lived in St. Louis and it was easy but now that I live in Texas, I can’t grow a thing so wish me luck!!

[@rory6089]

Congratulations! (Over 1/2 million now!) - Great videos and great work, glad you've been able to make a career out of it! :-)

[@mmommo-hx4dx]

This was THE funnest video! luv it, thanks for your expertise.....

[@fannietoner5779]

Thank you - I’m going to try propagating my basil this way.

[@AnnaNeame]

Very nice and useful video! I’m learning all the time 😃👍🏼

[@acts.412]

Amazing stuff. Thanks Kevin. Hope to propagate some basil asap ! 😃👍🙏🌱

[@katortiz2123]

I love your videos! Clear and informative for a beginner like me. 🙏 Thanks!!!

[@debbeleigh1930]

Congratulations on 100,000 subscribers ❤️

[@gabrielkawa3477]

I like how your videos are clear and go step by step

[@RubenRodrigues86]

Congrats on your award, really deserved.

[@Kori114]

I had an issue with squirrels jumping from the bird feeder onto my Thai basil a month or so back. They broke many branches from my year old plant. I decided to bury some of the broken branches and to my surprise they are now new independent plants. Will do this again! I love Thai basil and this on plant has become a gigantic bush in the last year (we have very mild winters Zone 9b). Happy to have more now!

[@growingwithfelix5872]

this really helped out a lot! Thank you kevin!