For a never-ending fresh & aromatic supply of sweet basil sprigs in your kitchen, follow these 9 steps and start Growing Basil in Water.
Sweet basil is a versatile herb that is used in various world cuisines. You can add it to homemade pizzas, soups, pasta, and scrambled eggs. The list is long, and you’ll never find enough recipes. That’s why if you’re a plant grower, you should grow it.
Learn how to grow holy basil here
If you don’t own a garden, grow it in a pot on your patio, rooftop, or apartment balcony. And, if you don’t have access to any of these outdoor spaces either, grow it indoors. Yep, that’s possible! All you need is a windowsill with 4-6 hours of sunlight, and this article we’ve here.
Those who’re already growing it may know that one basil plant is never enough. You need more, and if you need more, this hack of growing basil in water will help you.
Why Should You Grow Basil in Water
Growing basil in water is a great way to make many specimens from your existing basil plant. This way, you can also get fresh basil leaves for garnishing. For this, buy a healthy basil transplant from a garden center and easily multiply it by growing cuttings in glass jars filled with water. This is by far the best method for propagating basil.
How to Grow Basil in Water in Easy Steps
1. Take several cuttings from an existing basil plant. Remove all the lower leaves but save 2-3 sets on top. If there are flowers, cut them too.
2. Now, place the cuttings in a clean, transparent glass jar and fill it with non-chlorinated water in a way that only 2/3 (60-70%) part of the stem from the bottom submerges in water.
3. Place the glass jar at a spot that receives bright indirect sunlight and direct morning sun. A warm windowsill should be fine!
4. Don’t forget to change the water every 2-3 days and keep an eye on the growth of roots. Make sure the water is never too warm or too cold!
5. Young roots will appear in 2-3 weeks. Wait till basil roots are a minimum of 2-3 inches long before transferring the cuttings in containers filled with rich loamy soil.
6. You can let that basil grow in water permanently as well. To continue, mix 1 gram of balanced fertilizer like N-P-K 20-20-20 in 1 liter of water and transfer this elixir into the basil growing jar.
7. Fertilizer duration can be once in 3-4 weeks. In between, you can also add aquarium water. This works as a natural fertilizer.
8. One more thing you should keep in mind is a growing position–if you’re growing basil in water permanently. Select a spot that receives 4-5 hours of mild direct sun and avoid harsh afternoon sunlight.
9. For a productive basil plant, check out our basil growing tips here.
If you are going to be gone for a month or so, can you put the rooted cuttings that were in water in wet paper towels in the refrigerator to keep them until you return and are able to put back in water? Will that work?
Wish to know more about where to get seeds of herbs.
You can buy a lot of seeds online . Look up companies who took the safe seed pledge . I’m growing my Basil from a hydro plant I bought at Whole Foods , and my Thai Basil I bought off Etsy
Question: If one is going to keep basil permanently to grow in a jar and one should change the water every 2-3 days, then how is it that one would have to use fertilizer every four weeks, would we be eliminating the fertilizer every 2-3 days? Thank you.
Hi, I want to keep the basil permanently growing in the jar, rather than transplanting it. It was great for a few months (nice fluffy dark green leaves, etc). Now my leaves are turning light green. I searched it up on the internet and found this is likely because the plant is getting too much water. Of COURSE it’s getting a lot of water…it’s growing in a jar full of water. So what can I do?
I did notice that the roots are getting quite long and are turning brown. I tried rinsing the brown off the roots, but it didn’t come off. What can I do? Is there a way to keep it growing forever in the glass jar without this “overwatering” becoming an issue?
Hello it’s autumn and almost winter in Melbourne Victoria and I have a bunch of basil plants I want to grow them in transparent plastic boxes like little greenhouses will that work ?