Another way you can multiply your basil plants indoors is by rooting them in water. To do this, take a basil plant and cut its stems to 3 to 4 inches long. Strip off any leaves that would be underwater. Fill a glass with 2 inches of water and place the stems in the glass.
Loosely cover the basil with a plastic bag and keep it at room temperature in a shaded corner of your kitchen counter, changing the water every two days. Like flowers, your basil stalks will last anywhere from five days to over a week, with fresh leaves always an arm's reach away.
Typically, basil can be rooted in water, but it will eventually need some food like liquid nutrients available for hydroponic plants. As long as the water is changed now and then with nutrients added, some basil plants can be grown in water. Temperature is a factor when rooting basil in water.
Basil plants can grow in either soil or water, but they do best in soil. When grown in soil, basil plants have access to a wider range of nutrients, which can help them grow more robustly. Moreover, basil plants that grow in soil are less likely to develop root rot, a common problem when they are grown in water.
Many herbs can be grown for months in water. Fresh herbs like oregano, lemongrass, mint, and basil can be kept in water for weeks or months! In fact, many herbs thrive in water. You'll learn about my 10 favorite herbs to grow this way below.
Herbs will do best in loose soil that allows roots to take hold. If needed, adding a liquid micronutrient fertilizer can offer mineral-deficient plants the balance they need to thrive.
Basil performs best in full sun—that means 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day—which is necessary for the best possible flavor and fast growth. If you're growing indoors, place the planter in a south or west-facing window. North and east-facing windows just won't cut it!
Basil will root in water very easily, so I am sure you will get successful next time if you follow our guide. I see a few possible causes of not being successful right away : you may have made a cut at the wrong place, not refreshed the water, not the right room temperature, not the right water temperature…
Cut it in half, leaving a set of leaves attached at the top. Fill a glass with water and place the cut side into the water and set it where it will get ample sunshine. In about three to four weeks, your basil should have grown roots (plants are pretty magical, right?).
Basil grows in water for a short time, but like most plants, rooted basil can't grow in plain water indefinitely. To maintain healthy basil, plants need to be transplanted into soil or moved to a hydroponic setup where they receive fertilizer intended for hydroponics.
Overwatering. Even though water is vital, too much of a good thing can be detrimental, so make sure you don't overwater your basil. “If basil is overwatered, the leaves will droop and turn yellow; they may also have brown or black spots on them,” says Kathy Jentz, author and host of the GardenDC Podcast.
ANSWER: Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves, but they just need a little help. Basil is a particularly delicate herb because it hates the cold and darkens when cut. Keep in mind any fresh herbs that you freeze will not be entirely the same as fresh. Freezing will change the texture and it won't be as stable.
Cut about ¼ inch above where leaves are coming off the main stem. Don't take off more than a third of the height at once, and snip from different parts of the plant to encourage branching all the way around. As your basil keeps sending out new growth, continue to prune it the same way.
🌿 Overall Lifespan of Basil
Basil generally lives for just one growing season, classifying it as an annual herb. Its lifespan can be influenced by environmental conditions and care practices, so keep an eye on your plant.
Basil prefers moist soil – not too wet and not too dry. You want the soil to be damp, not drenched. Although basil loves warm weather, a hot midday sun can be rather harsh. If you see wilting only during the peak hours for summer temperatures, you may need to add light shade over your basil plant.
Overwatering in basil plants can look like: brown or black spots on plant leaves, yellow leaves near the base of the plant, and wilted stems even though the soil feels wet. If this occurs, let your plant dry out before watering again and reduce watering frequency in the future.
Coffee dregs are an organic and inexpensive source of nutrients that basil loves. They contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium — the same elements in standard fertilizers. Coffee grounds also ward off pests and fungal diseases while attracting helpful wildlife like earthworms.
Yes, you can stop by the local supermarket once a week to load up on your favorite herbs, but with a bit of ingenuity and care you can grow a selection of your favorite herbs right in your own kitchen, no soil required. In the right environment many popular herbs flourish in water (known as hydroponic gardening).