How To Grow Hydroponic Basil (Complete Guide)

Basil is, and always has been, a staple in pretty much any household’s kitchen. It stands to reason why many hydroponic enthusiasts out there are eager to learn how to grow hydroponic basil.

This versatile and nutritional herb plays a role in many Mediterranean (and particularly Italian) cuisines. It forms the basis of pesto and adds plenty of flavor to pastas, pizzas, salads, among other dishes. You’ll even find it in Vietnamese and Thai cuisines.

But enough about the wonders of this little herb, what you’re really wanting to know is how to grow it.

Well in this article, we’ll provide you with an easy and affordable method to grow your very own hydroponic basil, that you can use to your heart’s content.

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What Is Hydroponic Basil?

Hydroponic basil is any type of basil that has been grown in soilless culture. In other words, a nutrient-rich, water-based solution is used in place of soil as a growing medium for basil propagation.

With this method, nutrients that have been added to the solution are fed directly to your basil plants.

While this takes place, your plants can access ample amounts of oxygen, allowing for greater quality produce and noticeably less time between your yields.

Learn how to grow u003ca href=u0022https://climatebiz.com/hydroponic-avocado/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ehydroponic avocadosu003c/au003e in one of our other dedicated articles.

Can Basil Be Grown Hydroponically?

Yes, basil can easily be grown in hydroponic systems. However, it is important that a variety be selected that performs well in terms of growth rate, disease resistance, flavor, and yield.

There are however more types of basil out there than you might think so it can be quite confusing/difficult to decide on a specific kind of basil to grow.

Not to worry though, later on in this article, we’ll provide you with a section that outlines the basil leaf varieties out there that you can grow.


Tools Needed To Grow Hydroponic Basil

You’ll require the following materials to grow 1 hydroponic basil plant:

Note: The method that we’ve outlined in this article requires that you source a mother plant. As such, you won’t be needing any seeds.

1 Basil Mother Plant

A large basil mother plant.
A large basil mother plant.
Source: Rural Sprout

This is where you’ll be sourcing your cuttings from. Purchase one from your nearest supermarket or plant nursery.

Filtered Water

Source: SHEmazing

Filtered water is always best, make use of it if possible.

Liquid nutrient Solution

Source: Amazon

Hydroponic plants require that you put nutrients in the aqueous solution. Use plant grow nutrients and Cal-Mag for this purpose.

Rockwool Cubes

Source: Amazon

Rockwool is a fantastic growing medium that facilitates the growth of your plant’s root system. It is both sterile and helps drain excess water while retaining enough adequate growth.

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If you’re interested in developing your own DIY hydroponic nutrient solution, check out our article – u003ca href=u0022https://climatebiz.com/diy-hydroponic-nutrients/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eDIY Hydroponic Nutrients (How To Make Your Own Formula)u003c/au003e

Rooting Hormone

Source: Amazon

While not 100% required, this rooting hormone can assist in cuttings developing their initial roots quicker.

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Hydroton Clay Pebbles

Source: Amazon

These pebbles allow for better airflow to your plant while providing additional support. What’s more, they are porous, meaning that they hold on to nutrients until the nearby roots can access them.

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3-Inch Net Pot

Source: Amazon

You’ll place your Rockwool cube (complete with stem) and Hydroton clay pebbles into this container.

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1 Quart (32-ounce) Wide Mouth Mason Jar

Source: Amazon

The housing container of your system. This jar holds the water, solution, and net pot necessary for your grow.

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Plastic Solo Cup

Source: Amazon

This cup helps provide humidity for the initial stages of your plant’s growth.

Indoor Lighting

Source: Amazon

You’ll need this component to provide your plant with all of the quality light that it requires.

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pH & TDS Meter

Source: Amazon

If you’re serious about looking after your plants and growing quality produce, you’ll need to test the pH and TDS of your solution frequently.

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pH calibration Solution

Source: Amazon

This helps you maintain your pH levels. If you’d like to learn more about pH as part of hydroponics check out our article – Understanding pH For Hydroponics (A complete guide).

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How To Grow Hydroponic Basil (Step-By-Step)

As previously mentioned, this guide uses a simple yet effective hydroponic system involving a mason jar, a basil mother plant, and the Kratky method. This is a passive hydroponic technique for growing plants where the plants are suspended above a reservoir of nutrient-rich water while receiving ample amounts of oxygen.

Here’s the best part – the system itself, aside from any indoor lighting, requires zero electricity to run.

So without further ado, here’s your step-by-step guide to the process:

Step 1: Preparing Your Nutrients

With the nutrients that we’ve provided in our previous section, mix the following in 2 liters or even 1 gallon of filtered water:

  • 10ml of the grow food nutrients.
  • 3ml of Calm-Mag.

Pro Tip: Source a 5ml eyedropper from your local pharmacy, it’ll make this step easier. Once you’ve done this, use a funnel to put your nutrient solution into a smaller squeeze bottle. You can administer your nutrients to your plants with ease by doing this.

Step 2: Select Your Cutting

Take your basil mother plant and select the cutting that you’ll be using for your hydroponic basil setup.

Creating a hydroponic basil cutting.
Creating a hydroponic basil cutting. You’ll notice that the cutting is taken inches from the leaf node.
Source: Slightly Vegan – YouTube

To do this, use clean herb snips or scissors to cut a 4 to 6-inch long stem. Clip it just below a leaf node (the spot on the stems where the leaves emerge). Do this at an angle to increase surface area for water uptake.

Remove any leaves on the bottom third of the stem.

Step 3: Prepping Your Cutting

Hydroponic basil cutting being placed into Rockwool.
Hydroponic basil cutting being placed into Rockwool. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the base of the cutting has been dipped in rooting hormone.
Source: Slightly Vegan – YouTube

Start off by taking one of your 1.5-inch Rockwool cubes and pre-soaking it with a bit of nutrient solution.

Once you’ve done this (and for those of you who did purchase rooting hormone), apply it over the base of your cutting.

Then, insert your cutting into the Rockwool and put the cube at the bottom of your 3-inch net pot.

Lastly, take the Hydroton balls and fill up your net pot so that your plant has a nice, stable base to grow from. Make sure to wash these thoroughly in a strainer before you use them.

Step 4: Planting In The Mason Jar

Now you’re ready to put your plant into your mason jar.

First, fill your jar up to just below the bottom of where your net pot will be sitting – you’ll be pouring in close to 700ml of water. Then, put your net pot in your mason jar and secure it with the top of the mason jar.

After that, top off the fluid in the jar with your nutrient solution. Pour until the fluid comes up to the top of your Rockwell cube – this will keep the cube nice and moist until roots begin to sprout.

Once the roots make contact with and absorb the nutrient solution, the water level will drop. This is where the Kratky method kicks in.

Here, nutrient solution is being used to top up the net pot. As you can see, the water level is just below the net pot itself - the Kratky method.
Here, nutrient solution is being used to top up the net pot. As you can see, the water level is just below the net pot itself – the Kratky method.
Source: Slightly Vegan – YouTube

Kratky Method

With the Kratky method, a gap of moist air will form and expand between the water surface and the base of your plant. The roots in this gap become laterally branching “oxygen roots,” and absorb oxygen from the air inside the container.

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Step 5: Finishing Touches

Now you’ll grab your clear, plastic cup and place it over your hydroponic basil cutting. Here it’ll act as a humidity dome that’ll help your plant during its infancy.

Then, before you place your mason jar under as much light as possible, wrap it up with one of the following methods:

  • Black spray paint
  • Cover them with duct or washi tape
  • Use a light-blocking fabric sleeve
These hydroponic mason jars appear to have been spray-painted. This will protect the roots from algae growth.
These hydroponic mason jars appear to have been spray-painted. This will protect the roots from algae growth.
Source: Terri Cooper (Pinterest)

Doing this prevents algae growth in your jar. Whichever method you choose, leave a little window open to observe water levels and root quality.

Important Info: At the end of the week, when the roots are starting to take and you want to remove the humidity dome, do it slowly so that your plant can adjust to the change in humidity levels. Do this too quickly and you’ll increase the chances of shocking your plant into wilting.

There are plenty of other vegetables that you can grow hydroponically. To find out more, check out u003ca href=u0022https://climatebiz.com/hydroponic-vegetables/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e6 Hydroponic Vegetables (You Can Grow Successfully Indoors)u003c/au003e.

Tips For Growing Hydroponic Basil

Optimal pH & TDS Levels

While the Kratky hydroponic that we’re using in this article is mostly passive in nature, it’s still important that you check on the TDS and pH levels of your plants, as often as possible.

Basil thrives in the following pH and TDS ranges:

  • pH – 5.8 – 6.2
  • TDS – 700-1120 ppm

Maintenance is Key

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy hydroponic basil plant is to prune it.

Basil grows very quickly, as such it’s important that you keep an eye on its growth and prune it when necessary.

When Should You Start?

Start pruning once your plant has developed a second leaf node. This will kick off the branching process. As the plant continues to grow, remove any dry and/or dying leaves that aren’t receiving enough sunlight. This will ensure that your plant redirects resources to the healthiest leaves.

Continue to cut the branches of your young hydroponic basil plant as it grows. This will help you maintain its shape.

Heat & Light

Basil needs at least 14 hours of quality sunlight every day.

Additionally, temperatures should be 65-70 °F/ 18-21 °C.

Warmth is key for basil, especially when you’re just starting your plants, that’s why having a humidity dome is so important. 


Basil Leaf Varieties

There are two primary types of green basil, each with its own distinguishing flavor, yield, and leaf type features.

They are:

  • Genovese basil – This type of basil is prized for its classic pesto flavor and characteristic heavily cupped, spoon-shaped leaves. It also tends to be the preferred type for culinary use.
  • Italian Large Leaf basil –  This type of basil is known for its high yield and rate of productivity. The plants are dense and produce large, pointed leaves that are typically thicker and more durable than the leaves of its Genovese cousins. This durability, along with with strong yields and quick growth, are the reasons why some growers prefer this variety. However, its lighter green leaves and sweeter flavor profile is considered less refined than those of the Genovese type varieties.
Basil Varieties.
Basil Varieties.
Source: Trish Sucher (Pinterest)

There are also special types of basil. These include:

  • Red/Purple
  • Citrus
  • Asian/Thai
  • Greek
  • Lettuce Leafe Basils

For a more comprehensive view of basil types, have a look at Johnny’s Selected Seeds basil chart. They are a privately held, employee-owned seed producer and merchant headquartered in Winslow, Maine, USA that has been around for over 48 years.


Final Thoughts

Basil is easily one of the plants best suited to hydroponic growing, especially for beginners.

It doesn’t require a vast amount of skill or knowledge to propagate, it grows quickly and above all, it’s incredibly tasty!

The Kratky method that we’ve provided you with is very much accessible to the vast majority of you out there reading this. So even it’s just one plant, give it a bash. We’re certain that you’ll be more than happy with the results. What’s more, you’ll never have to go out and buy store-bought basil ever again.

If you’ve managed to successfully grow your own basil hydroponically, please feel free to share your experience with us in the comments section below!

Robert Wortrich
Robert Wortrich

Robert is a content creator and editor. His passion for researching and the environment led him to joining the Climatebiz team. When he isn’t busy writing articles or learning more about everything Green Technology-related, you’ll find him spending time with friends or hiking one of the many wonderful trails that his home – Cape Town – has to offer.

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