How to propagate basil

I saved my basil after and a little from before the frost to propagate to keep in my kitchen this winter.

Having herbs in the winter is a great way to still have some fresh flavor, add nutrient density and color to your meals.

I have been trying to get more and more into cooking with fresh herbs because of the great flavor and aroma. Not to mention (most) herbs are incredibly easy to care for. Here in zone 5b-6a I am able to grow oregano, parsley, and mint and lemon balm (very carefully because they spread like mad) perennially. I like letting plants that are not tolerant of the frost like basil and cilantro go to seed, or in this case propagate it.

Basil is one of those herbs that you can either use all of the time or never at all.

There are sooo many ways to utilize it and I feel like it is so undervalued.

The most frequently I have seen has been caprese salads and tomato basil soups.

If you haven’t had fresh basil, it isn’t quite as bitter as other fresh herbs and I often add it to salads and sandwiches, but my favorite way to use basil is making homemade pesto. Store bought pesto is to no comparison of fresh pesto.

Pesto is so so so very simple. I just throw basil, garlic, walnuts, olive oil and Parmesan (if I have it) into my nurtribullet and you’re done. It can also be done with pine nuts.

Propagating herbs or plants is a simple process of placing the stems in water to allow new roots to form, it can either be grown in water with a little assistance or transferred to soil. Lots of plants can be propagated, but basil is a great one to start with!

Now that the frost hit I just scavenged out for any forgotten vegetables or herbs that are not cold tolerant. My basil was black where the frost directly hit, but anything under cover was fine.

To propagate basil:

1. Cut basil below a leaf node, or more easily where leaves split

2. Remove any leaves from end

3. Place in water in a windowsill

4. Bottom submerged in water for at least 2-4 weeks until roots are well established

Really as long as there is adequate leaves above basil should propagate pretty easily. At this point you can keep the basil in water or transplant into soil. You can also keep basil bought at the store in water in the windowsill to keep it from going bad.

I have done this with both city water and filtered water. It definitely works faster with filtered water, but has worked either way.

Herbs take forever to get bountiful from seed, even if you can just maintain your basil throughout the winter it gives you a major head start in the spring.

I grew basil in a aquaponics system inside last winter then propagated about 10 starts and planted them around tomatoes all around my house. It has lovely foliage and if you do let it flower and go to seed the pollinators absolutely love it!

Let me know if you give it a try to have some color in your food and plants in your kitchen this winter!