This is my first year growing basil. It wasn't doing too good so I went out and trimmed some off thinking it would help it branch out. I wanted to make some pesto but I couldn't do it right away so I put it in a glass of water. Almost 2 weeks later I noticed it had flowers forming on the top! I looked in the glass and sure enough it had sprouted roots!! I didn't know it would do that. Now why can't that work when I'm trying to do it on purpose???

Are you going to pot them up? I would try it, then when the weather gets cold, bring them inside. Why not? Better to be lucky than good, sometimes

Last year I intentionally did that (cut and rooted basil and brought it in for the winter). If you cut it clean, it roots pretty easily and quickly. You can do that with most herbs.

I also did the same with suckers from some grape tomatoes and kept them inside all winter, then transplanted suckers from that back outside in spring. Although it has been a bad tomato year for me, the plant from suckers did better than the others.

I think I will try to pot them up. I do have some other herbs that I think I will try this with. Hopefully I'll get lucky there too!

Potting them sounds like a great idea! I'll have to try that this winter. So far, I have been putting the basil leaves in a jar with olive oil for winter use.