Bottle Blossom

This is a fun way to grow basil without soil. Instead of dirt, the roots sit in special water rich in nutrients and oxygen inside a bottle.

As the basil drinks, the water level decreases, leaving a small space for the roots to breathe. There are no machines or cords—just a simple bottle that helps the plant grow strong and healthy.

With this method, you can grow fresh basil right at home, in your room, or even at school.

It’s clean, uses much less water than regular gardening. Because the roots receive food immediately, basil grows faster and produces more leaves.

Best of all, you can pick fresh, yummy basil whenever you want and enjoy it within minutes!

Caring for your basil is like being on a team together—you do your part, and the plant does its part!

If you give it what it needs, your basil will turn light, water, air, and nutrients into yummy leaves for you to enjoy. Here’s how you can help.

1. Add more plain water to the bottle when it gets low.
2. Give your basil plenty of light.
3. Look closely to see if it’s growing strong and healthy.
4. If something looks wrong, help fix it so your plant can keep thriving.

Bottle Color:

• Darker bottles help prevent algae growth, with Blue and Red Bottles being most effective.
• However, lighter or clear bottles can still work, provided extra care is taken.
• Most importantly, we encourage you to reuse bottles you already have, since our mission is to give old bottles new life while helping your basil grow strong and healthy.

Bottle Covering:

• For best results, cover light colored or clear bottles to block light and prevent algae from stealing nutrients and oxygen.
• Blue or Red Covers work best, while double-layering (using a dark cover to block light and a lighter one on top to reflect heat) is especially effective in warmer months.
• Covers don’t need to stay on all the time—you can remove them to showcase roots or to use as edible table centerpieces, then replace the cover afterwards.
• Just remember that covers make water levels harder to see, so check and refill every few days to keep roots healthy.

Bottle Size:

• The larger the bottle, the better, as it holds more solution and requires fewer refills.
• Standard 750ml wine bottles work well.
• While 1–1.5L bottles offer greater stability.
• Smaller bottles (as little as 12oz/355ml) can still succeed—just use half of Part C and save the rest for later.

Bottle Type:

• The Bottle Blossom kit is compatible with both glass and plastic bottles.
• Glass offers a sleek appearance, while plastic is safer—especially for children’s projects.
• Either way, the kit adapts easily so you can focus on the joy of growing without worry.

Avoid: Tap Water Containing Chlorine and Chloramine
Good: Filtered Water
Better: Reverse Osmosis (R/O) Water
Best: Distilled Water

• Tap water often has chemicals like chlorine that can make it harder for basil to stay healthy and eat its “plant food.”
• For the best results, use Filtered, Reverse Osmosis (R/O), or Distilled Water—these are very clean and safe for your plant.
• Basil grows happiest when the water has a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5.
• Suppose you can't test your water. Using R/O or Distilled Water is the easiest way to keep your basil strong and healthy, requiring no extra work.

Your Basil needs special “plant food” to grow strong and healthy. These are essential minerals, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

In soil, plants obtain these nutrients from decomposed matter, but in hydroponics, water-soluble nutrients are mixed directly into the water, allowing the roots to utilize them immediately.

They are safe, food-grade minerals that basil turns into the same vitamins and goodness as soil-grown plants.

The Bottle Blossom Plant Food also includes tiny helpers (microbes and fungi) that make roots even stronger and help basil grow faster.

Basil plants are smart—they absorb the nutrients they need, store some for later use, and reuse them as they grow. That’s why the contents of Part C are enough for the whole growing cycle.

Basil plants need fresh air just like you do! Moving air helps the plant “breathe” in CO2 (carbon dioxide), which it uses to make food from sunlight. Air also keeps the plant cool and dry, preventing mold, bugs, and sickness from taking over. Without air, basil can grow tall and skinny, weak, or not grow well at all. Indoors, where there isn’t much breeze, you can help by opening a window or using a small fan. This makes the stems stronger, the leaves bigger, and the plant healthier—almost like it’s outside in nature!

Light is like the fuel for basil—it gives the energy needed to grow roots, make leaves, and stay strong.

Your Bottle Blossom needs either sunlight from a windowsill or a small grow light.

• A windowsill gives free, natural light, but sometimes it’s too weak, too hot, or changes with the seasons.
• Grow lights provide steady, year-round illumination anywhere indoors, but they require electricity and must be adjusted to prevent burning the plant.
• Growing Bottle Blossoms outside is not recommended at this time.

Growing with a Grow Light:

• Grow lights mimic the effects of natural sunlight, helping basil thrive throughout the year, regardless of seasonal conditions.
• Full-spectrum LED lights are best—the blue light helps produce a lot of leaves, while the red light helps them grow strong and vibrant.
• A desk lamp can be beneficial in some cases. Especially for windowsill basil during the winter season.
  

Adjust the light height as the basil grows taller. The distance of the light from the surface depends on its strength:

• Small lights (20–40W) should be placed 6–10 inches above
• Medium lights (50–100W) should be placed 12–15 inches above
• Large lights (150W+) should be placed 15–20 inches above

Keep the lights on for 12 to 16 hours a day

• If the basil looks tall and pale, move the light closer.
• If the leaves start to burn or curl, move the light higher.
  

Tips for Growing on a Windowsill:

A sunny windowsill is an energy-efficient way to provide your basil with the light it needs to grow. However, the amount of light it receives depends on the direction your window faces and the region of the USA you're in.

• South-facing windows (Best Overall) receive strong light all year. In hot areas, use a thin sheer curtain to block excessive heat. And move the bottle back from the window.
• East-facing windows give gentle morning light for 3–6 hours, which can be enough.
• West-facing windows have strong afternoon sun, which can be too hot in warm areas but works well in cooler places.
• North-facing windows receive the least light, supplemental grow lights can be helpful.

Tips for All Regions:

• Basil always grows toward the light, so if you don’t move the bottle, it might lean, look uneven, or get weak.
• To help it stay strong, turn the bottle a little (90°) every few days so all sides get light.
• You also need to care for it differently in each season.
• In winter, keep bottles warm (above 55°F, ideally 65–75°F), move them away from cold windows, and use a grow light during this time.
• In summer, keep bottles cooler (below 75°F), block extreme sun with a thin sheer curtain, check water more often, keep rotating the bottles, and use a fan if it gets really hot (over 85°F) to protect the roots.
  

Regional Guidance Across the U.S.

• Northern States
  Winters are dark, with short days and low sun angles. South-facing windows are essential. Supplement with grow lights from late fall through early spring.
• Southern States
  Sunlight is strong and consistent most of the year. East-facing windows are ideal for gentler light, while south- and west-facing windows may require a thin sheer curtain during the summer to prevent overheating.
• Western States
  High-intensity sunlight and low humidity can cause water to evaporate quickly. South-facing windows provide ample light, but monitor reservoir temperatures closely. A thin sheer curtain can balance heat.
• Midwestern States
  Moderate sunlight with distinct seasonal swings. South-facing windows are best in winter, while east-and west-facing windows can work well in summer. Supplement with grow lights in late fall/winter for consistent yields.
• Pacific Northwest
  Cloud cover reduces light intensity for much of the year. South-facing windows are helpful, but supplemental lighting is often necessary, especially in winter.
  

Basils drink both water and nutrients, which causes the water level to decrease. This is good because it leaves a little air space for the roots to breathe.

Your job is to keep the water at the right height. Ensuring the roots are continuously submerged in water.

However, it’s okay if the water drops below the root level a few times. During the warmer months, expect to refill more frequently. Once the roots are strong, always leave a 2–3 inch air gap at the top so your basil can breathe and grow healthy.

Seedlings Thrive When Water Levels Stay High Early On

When you start from a seed, the very first little root (radicle) needs water right away to stay alive. Parts A and B give it the water it needs until the roots grow long enough to reach the nutrient solution below.

Keep the water level just below Part A, allowing the roots to absorb it while still allowing for air exchange. Do not let Part A become too wet. If too much water builds up, carefully pour some out through Part D.

During this early stage, check the water every day. Once the roots reach the solution, your basil will grow much faster. Then, you can slowly lower the water to create space for air.

How to refill your Basil Bottle Blossom:

A) Use a clean squeeze bottle.
B) Fill it with plain water.
C) Gently squeeze water into the basil’s bottle until it’s at the right level.

video tutorial

Cut-and-come-again harvesting involves snipping the outer leaves while leaving the crown and roots intact, allowing basil to continue producing.

This not only yields continuous harvests for weeks or months but also makes basil healthier by reducing overcrowding, improving light and airflow, and signaling the basil to produce fresh, tender leaves.

The result is stronger basil, fuller growth, and bigger overall yields compared to a
single harvest.

How to Use the Cut-and-Come-Again Method

• Wait for Growth: Allow basil to grow until they have at least 4–6 inches of healthy leaves.
• Cut the Right Leaves: Harvest by snipping the outer or larger leaves first, as close to the base as possible. Always leave the inner core or crown untouched—this is where new growth comes from.
• Don’t Overcut: Remove no more than one-third of the basil at a time. This maintains sufficient leaf area for photosynthesis, allowing the basil to recover quickly.
• Harvest Regularly: Repeat every 5–10 days (depending on growth rate). Frequent and careful harvesting encourages continuous new growth.

Annuals complete their life cycle in one season (e.g., basil, lettuce, spinach), while perennials live for years, regrowing from the same roots (e.g., mint, oregano, rosemary).

Annuals are ideal for hydroponics because they grow rapidly, yield quickly, and are easy to manage.

Although annuals naturally decline after flowering and seeding, you can extend their life by using cut-and-come-again harvesting, maintaining consistent light and nutrients to delay bolting, preventing stress, and pinching tips to promote bushier growth.

Still, starting a new Bottle Blossom every few months (succession planting) ensures a steady supply of fresh
basil

Starting with seeds helps basil grow stronger roots, and it’s fun to watch tiny seeds sprout into healthy plants.

Cuttings let you skip the baby stage and grow from a piece of another plant, which means you can try more types of plants.

However, cuttings are trickier and require more care, so we suggest using them only if
you are already familiar with the process.

1. To use a cutting:
   Set aside Parts A, B, and D
2. Gently cover the bottleneck with Part F
3. Gently cut or poke a small hole in the middle of Part F
4. Select a healthy stem about 4–6 inches long, just below a leaf node.
5. Remove the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top.
6. Place the stem through Part A so that the cut end is submerged in the nutrient solution.
7. Keep the water level high enough so the stem stays in contact with the liquid until multiple roots form.
8. After 1–2 weeks, once the roots are established, you can lower the water level slightly to create an air gap that helps the roots access oxygen.

Sometimes basil can get stressed, even in a Bottle Blossom. You may notice yellow leaves, slow growth, green algae in the water, or small bugs.

This is the plant’s way of “talking” to you and saying something is wrong. If you notice these signs early and fix them, your basil will stay healthy and keep growing strong.

Most problems can be avoided by giving it good light, the right water level, a clean bottle, and fresh air. Learning to read these signals helps you become a more confident plant caretaker!

Basil Looks Pale or Tall and Skinny

• Cause: Not enough light, or the light source is too far away.
• Fix: Move the basil closer to a sunny, south-facing window or use a full-spectrum grow light set for 12–16 hours per day. Rotate the basil 90° every few days to encourage even growth.

Leaves Look Burned or Curled

• Cause: Light intensity is too strong, or the light is placed too close.
• Fix: Raise the light higher, diffuse with a sheer curtain, or move the basil slightly back from direct midday sun.

Yellowing Leaves

• Cause: Natural aging of lower leaves, or an imbalance in nutrients.
• Fix: Remove old yellow leaves to keep the basil tidy. If you’ve fully refilled the bottle multiple times—around five or more times—it may be time to replenish with nutrients.

Droopy Leaves

• Cause: Water level too low; roots are no longer in contact with the nutrient solution. Basil is dehydrated.
• Fix: Top off with plain water only, maintaining a 2–to 3–inch air gap once the roots are established. Do not add additional nutrients at this stage. Instead, give the basil time to rebound, then trim away any damaged or wilted leaves after it has shown signs of recovery and new growth appears.
• Note: In our experiments, we intentionally let the water level drop for several days. While this stressed the basil, most plants bounced back within a few days once fresh water was added. However, seedlings are less resilient—if this happens early on, you’ll likely need to restart. If you have extra seeds, you can simply sow them directly into the same bottle to begin again.

Green Slime (Algae) in the Bottle

• Cause: Light reaching the nutrient solution.
• Fix: Wrap the bottle in paper, foil, or cloth to block light from entering. White Fuzz or

Mold on Leaves

• Cause: Poor airflow and excess humidity around leaves.
• Fix: Increase ventilation by using a small fan or opening a window. Space multiple Bottle Blossoms apart to improve air circulation.

Basil Stops Growing or Growth Slows

• Cause: The bottle is rootbound, the water is too cold/warm, or the nutrient solution is depleted.
• Rootbound Fix: If the roots completely fill the bottle and there’s no room for new growth, either trim back the excess roots with clean scissors or transfer the basil to a larger container for continued growth. Handle the basil with care—this process can cause some stress, and the basil may appear wilted or weak for a few days afterward. Don’t give up too quickly. With patience, many basil bounce back stronger than before.
• Water Too Cold Fix: Keep bottles away from drafty windows in winter. Aim for water temps above 60°F (15°C).
• Water Too Warm Fix: In the summer, move bottles away from hot windowsills or use a light-colored cover to reflect the heat. Keep water below 75°F (24°C).
• Nutrient Depleted Fix: If the basil has been growing for several months and has been harvested multiple times, a slowdown in growth may indicate it’s time to add more nutrients.

Strange Smell from Bottle

• Cause: Stagnant water or decaying roots caused by water becoming too hot for an extended period of time.
• Fix: Empty the bottle, rinse it thoroughly, and refill with fresh water and nutrients. Gently trim away any slimy or brown roots before placing the healthy roots back into the bottle. Handle the basil with care—this process can cause some stress, and the basil may appear wilted or weak for a few days afterward. Don’t give up too quickly. With patience, many basil bounce back stronger than before. While not every basil will recover, we’ve seen a good number revive even when they initially looked beyond saving. However, it does take time.

Pests (Gnats, Spider Mites, Aphids)

• Cause: Stagnant air, damp surfaces, or pests brought in from other plants.
• Fix: Improve airflow, place sticky traps nearby, and gently wipe leaves with a mild soap-and-water solution if pests appear.
  

Hard to Refill Bottle

• Cause: The bottleneck may become clogged, preventing air from escaping as additional water is added. This air needs to be released so that water can take its place.
• Fix: Cut or poke a few extra holes in the cover (Part F) to improve airflow. In extreme cases, you may need to completely remove the cover or gently lift the basil slightly out of the bottle to let air escape while refilling.