I get aphids on my plants from time to time. They come in various colors, from the most common green color, like yours, to black or a mustard-yellow colored one. I always just squish 'em with my fingers and hose off. I'm most likely to get aphids if there is excessive water in the soil, either from early spring rains, or if I've watered too much. Usually I do that (overwater) if we've had a sudden heat wave, like a 25 degree temp jump in a short period, like 48 hrs, and I've misjudged on watering needs. This means that when you are hosing off the squished aphids, you have to take care not to keep the soil too wet, so I don't hose 'em off every day, or in some way I try to avoid soaking the soil more than the plants' roots prefer. (Most like the surface of the soil dry down 3/4 " or so, that's about 1 knuckle down, at least, before watering.) Basil, in particular, can suddenly take to wilting and dying if overwatered. I've had aphids appear on chives for the same reason. Hope this helps.

I'm not sure what it is either, but what kind of lights are you gorwing them under? You might want to try some T12 or T8 flourescent lights. Also, I have some other plants doing pretty well under a 75wt compact pigtail flourescent, which is equal to 300 watts. I only grow basil outside though because it thirves outdoors where I live. I'm not an advanced garder or anything, but all I can recommend is when gowing indoors try to mimic the plants natural outdoor habitat it thrives in. I'm in a southern Texas costal area. It's very HOT (about 100F every day), very HUMID (about 60% day 90%+ at night), and I water them a lot but mainly because of the heat. Also have you put any fetilizer in them? I know some people don't with herbs, but I would give them at least 1 shot since they're looking sickly. Lastly, on the cutting you're trying to root... I always root my cuttings in peat pellets. I see a lot of people on these boards hate them, but I love them and have always had great success with them. They were recommended to me by an extremly tallented gardener. Make sure you got a stem and not just a leaf. There is rooting hormone gel or powder. I take my cuttings, dip them in root hormone, and then stick them in a peat pellet. I set them in trays with a clear lid over them and place under T8 flourescent lights until the roots start coming out. I've made 3 basil plants off my 1 original 1 that are all flourishing. I have no idea what your climate is like right now, but you should go to a local nursery or growing supply store and even take your plant or pictures. You could also check the pH of your soil and water to make sure they're okay. Where I live out water is alkaline, so I put pine needles in my pots to balance it out. Good luck with your project.

For fertilizer, I don't believe so for the peppers. I put a bit of bone and blood meal on the soil Monday, but none should have hit the leaves. Sun kind of depends. We have had a lot of clouds the last couple of weeks, but otherwise should have full sun. It's odd how the peppers' leaves are also misshapen, and I read elsewhere it could be too much nitrogen. Maybe from the meal? I barely sprinkled, but I don't know if that explains the coloration. Thanks for all the replies so far :)

Whenever my basil starts to act wonky, I always cut it down,and it grows back beautifully. I have had the same basil plant in the same pot for 10 years. Many times it has looked just like your picture. Works every time. Maybe it just needs a reboot. Also lay off the fertilizer. It may do harm than good if the plant is sick.