Expand your basil garden this year with this simple trick for How to Grow Basil From Cuttings!

Then be sure to check out this easy trick for How to Dry Fresh Basil Leaves!

Basil growing in a pot.

How to Grow Basil From Cuttings

So are you wondering How to Grow Basil from Cuttings? It’s actually SO easy to do.

Basil grown from cuttings will provide you with a simple way to expand your basil garden quickly… for FREE!

All you’ll need are some clippings from a healthy basil plant to get started!

Basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow… it’s the perfect addition to pasta night and it’s delicious when added to homemade pizzas. Having garden fresh basil also gives me an excuse to make my favorite fresh pesto.

I love having several pots of basil growing out in the yard each Summer to ensure I have plenty to harvest all season long. That’s why I REALLY love expanding my little ‘basil operation’ (as my son calls it) by using starts from clippings.

So are you ready to learn how to propagate basil from cuttings?

You really won’t believe how EASY it is to do!

Related: Canning and Preserving for Beginners

Person holding a sprig of basil.

What You’ll Need to Grow Basil

Here’s what you’ll need to round up to get started…

  • Healthy Basil Clippings from Main Basil Plant
  • Small Jar or glass
  • Fresh Water

How to Grow Basil from Cuttings in Water

Here’s what to do…

1. Cut Basil Clippings from your main basil plant.  

2. Then remove leaves about half way up the clippings.

Basil cuttings sprouting in a jar of water.

3. Place stems in a small jar of water, and put in a well lit spot in your home.

4. Change water to freshen it up every few days.

Several basil plants starting to sprout.

5. After several weeks, roots should begin to sprout. (mine started around 7 days after I placed them in water.)

Once you have several strong roots, the clipping can be transplanted to a pot of dirt for your indoor herb garden, or outside in your outdoor herb garden.

How easy was that?!?

Basil growing in a pot.

Delicious Basil Recipes

Easy Basil Pesto Recipe

Nothing beats fresh homemade, and this Easy Basil Pesto Recipe will have your tastebuds doing the happy dance!

Basil pesto in a jar.

Crock Pot Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe

Make amazing things happen in the kitchen when you make this yummy Crock Pot Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe!

Tomato basil chicken on a plate with noodles.

How To Preserve Your Basil

How to Keep Basil Fresh

Here’s an easy tip for How to keep Basil Fresh!

Fresh basil set in a jar.

How to Dry Fresh Basil

Never run out… and save some serious $$ moola at the same time.

Small bowl of dried basil.

More Herb and Vegetable Tips

So now that you know how to grow basil from cuttings, I have even more genius hacks to share with you.  Create some magic in your garden when you try these fun ideas…

Growing Green Onions in Water

Did you know that Growing Green Onions in Water is the perfect frugal way to make your Green Onions really last!

Green onions in a jar of water.

Sweet Potato Slips (How to Grow Sweet Potatoes at Home!)

Did you know it’s actually really easy to grow your own sweet potatoes at home? All you’ll need are some Sweet Potato Slips to get started!

Sweet potatoes with toothpicks in jars of water.

How to Grow Rosemary from Cuttings

Growing your own rosemary is such a smart way to save money, while also enjoying an abundant supply of herbs.

Rosemary cuttings in a jar of water.

How to Grow Sage from Cuttings in Water

No more trips to the grocery store every time you need to pick up some Sage!  Now you’ll know How to Grow Sage from Cuttings in Water!

Sage cuttings in a jar of water.

DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden

Enjoy fresh herbs year round with this easy DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden!

Plants in jars labeled basil, parsley, and rosemary.

20 DIY Seasoning Recipes

Cut your grocery bill and save BIG with these DIY Seasoning Recipes. You’ll love these easy spices and seasonings you can make at home!

Jars of seasoning mixes in a line.

55 Easy Gardening Tips and Tricks for Beginners!

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a fabulous garden.  So go grab your shovel, and get inspired with these helpful Gardening Tips and Tricks you’ll wish you tried sooner.

Flowers in pots outside.

Homesteading 101 (Ultimate Guide for Homesteaders Today)

Savor every moment of the simpler life and take your homesteader skills to the next level with this ultimate guide for Homesteading 101!

Kids holding several large fruits.

Grocery Money Saving Tips:

How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half (35 Money Saving Tips)

Want to know how to cut your grocery bill in half?  Keep more cash in your wallet with these easy money saving tricks!

Vegetables on display on store shelves.

So have YOU ever tried this tip for How to Grow Basil From Cuttings, or with any other herbs?

Leave a comment & share!

About Heidi Miller

Heidi Miller is the creator of The Frugal Girls, where she shares easy recipes with massive flavor! She has been creating and sharing recipes online for over 15 years, and brings warmth, expertise, and a personal touch to every recipe. Her work has been featured on Today.com, NBC, Fox, Parade, People, Country Living, Woman’s World, and more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

22 Comments

  1. Sophie says:

    I didn’t know that you could do this! Or that it would be so easy. I’m going to give this a go, thanks for the tips!

    1. Heidi says:

      You’re very welcome, Sophie… have fun expanding your basil garden!

  2. Michelle says:

    Brilliant! Definitely need to do this the next time I’ve got basil!

    1. Heidi says:

      Definitely, Michelle… it’s such an easy trick!! 🙂

  3. Josiah - DIY Thrill says:

    This is such a brilliant way to save money on herbs, thanks for sharing!

    1. Heidi says:

      You’re very welcome… it really does save so much money when expanding your garden! 🙂

  4. CoCo says:

    This looks like so much fun, Heidi! We’re always looking for good basil and pesto recipes so I’m excited to try this technique. We recently switched over to the barrel style pots like the one you have above and I’m shocked at how well our hydrangeas are doing in them. I can’t wait to see how the basil does too! Hugs, CoCo

    1. Heidi says:

      That’s so fun that you’ve got some barrel style pots as well, CoCo… and that your hydrangeas are loving them! I just picked those pots up about a year ago. I had to get the plastic barrels though, because the wooden ones would never survive this Arizona heat! 🙂

  5. Lovely says:

    I’m planning to start an herb garden! I need to try this technique!
    xoxo
    Lovely

    1. Heidi says:

      That’s great, Lovely… having fresh herbs on hand is always so nice!

  6. Kathrine Eldridge says:

    Thanks for sharing how to do this! I love using fresh basil in the summer!

    1. Heidi says:

      You’re very welcome, Kathrine… nothing beats fresh Summer basil!

  7. Carol says:

    Great info – basil is my favorite herb! Pinned and tweeted

    1. Heidi says:

      Thanks so much, Carol! Basil is definitely one of my favorites, too! 🙂

  8. Christie says:

    This is so awesome! I love basil so much as it always reminds me of my favourite pizza. So this is one trick we can are going to try in our garden next year!

    1. Heidi says:

      That’s wonderful, Christie! I just love adding basil to pizzas, too. Have fun growing basil in your garden next year!

  9. Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says:

    I never seem to have any luck keeping basil plants alive, but I’m intrigued by this and need to give it a try! Thank you for the tutorial.

    1. Heidi says:

      Yes… you’ll definitely have to try it, Tasia. It will quickly give you more plants to play around with. Just make sure your plants have about 6 – 8 hours of sunlight per day. I’ve also found that they really thrive in warmer temps… like 80+ degrees. Hope that helps! 🙂

  10. Martha says:

    I don’t know why I’ve never thought to do this. Great idea!

    1. Heidi says:

      Thanks, Martha! It really is such a simple little trick to expand your garden quickly. 🙂