How to Turn One Supermarket Basil into Five Plants

Have you ever wondered how you could get more plants without spending more money? If you love cooking with fresh herbs, then you've probably bought a basil plant from your local supermarket at some point. Did you know that one plant could actually become five or more plants? That's right! In this article, we'll show you how to propagate basil from cuttings and divide the plant to create new ones. You'll be amazed at how easy it is!

Gather Your Materials

Before you begin propagating your basil, you'll need to make sure you have all of the necessary materials. Here's what you'll need:

• Sharp scissors or pruning shears
• A clean and sharp knife
• A vase or jar with water
• A pot or containers for your new basil plants
• High-quality soil

Step 1: Take Cuttings

The first step in propagating basil is to take cuttings from the main plant. Make sure the plant is healthy and has plenty of leaves. Using sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut a stem that is about 4-6 inches long. Make sure the cutting has at least two sets of leaves.

Basil cuttings ready for propagation

Step 2: Remove Lower Leaves

Once you have your cutting, remove the lower leaves on the stem, leaving only the top two sets of leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow new roots instead of supporting its existing leaves.

Preparing the basil cutting for propagation

Step 3: Place Cutting in Water

After removing the lower leaves, place the cutting in a vase or jar filled with water. Make sure the bottom of the stem is submerged in the water but the leaves are above the waterline. Put the vase or jar in a sunny spot and change the water every few days to keep it fresh.

Placing the basil cutting in water

Step 4: Wait for Roots to Grow

It may take a few weeks for roots to start growing from the stem, but be patient! Once the roots are at least an inch long, you can transplant the cutting into soil.

Step 5: Divide the Main Plant

In addition to propagating basil from cuttings, you can also divide the main plant to create new ones! To do this, gently remove the plant from its pot or container and separate the root ball into sections. Each section should have its own set of leaves and roots.

Dividing the basil plant

Step 6: Plant Your New Basil Plants

Now that you have multiple basil cuttings and/or divided sections of the main plant, it's time to plant them! Use high-quality soil and make sure each cutting or section has its own pot or container. Water the plants thoroughly and put them in a sunny spot. Before you know it, you'll have multiple basil plants to use in your cooking!

Multiple basil plants ready for use!

Bonus tip: Once your basil plants start growing, don't forget to pinch off the tops to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering. Happy propagating!