How to Grow Basil: a Complete Care Guide for Deliciously Fresh Homegrown Basil

Basil is a delightful aromatic herb with a subtle anise flavor that perks up a host of recipes. Whether your desire is a plate of freshly harvested tomato slices adorned with good olive oil and basil leaves or you just want to make some pesto, knowing how to grow basil is the first step.

You can start basil plants from seed or cuttings. Depending on your zone, you can directly sow the seed or start seeds indoors before planting out the seedlings. Warm weather and plenty of sunshine is required for growing a basil plant. Plan to wait until all danger of frost has passed.

After that, growing basil is simple and fun to do. But there are still some basic herb gardening tips you need to follow to keep your basil flourishing all season long. Read on to learn exactly what basil plants need to thrive.

Quick Basil Facts

Shop Basil Care Essentials

Basil Care

While we think of basil as a Mediterranean herb, it is actually native to India and Southeast Asia. There are many varieties available, but all of them prefer warm temperatures.

No matter what types of basil you want to grow, you care for them all the same. Begin with seeds, like these ones from Burpee, purchased starts, or rooted cuttings. Prepare a rich, well-draining garden bed. Then follow the basil plant care tips below.

Light

Basil is a warm season herb that prefers full sun in the morning with a little afternoon shade. Ideally it should receive 6-8 hours of sun per day. If you are growing it indoors, set a plant light for 10 hours. You can get a simple grow light from Amazon to help you grow basil indoors all year long.

Water

Well-drained soil is needed for growing basil. The plant should not sit in boggy soil but it does require regular watering. Keep the soil evenly moist and water when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. On average the plant will need 1 inch ( 2.54 cm.) of water per week.

Water basil at the base of the plant to avoid wet leaves that can lead to fungal disease. A soaker hose or drip system is ideal. Spread mulch around the root zone to prevent mud splash on the leaves and keep the soil cool and moist.

Temperature & Humidity

Basil plants are not at all frost hardy, so wait until you are sure there will be no icy nights. Basil will actively grow at 50°F (10°C). Once temperatures approach 80-90°F (26-32°C) the plants will really take off. The optimum temperature for basil germination is 75-85°F (24-29°C).

High humidity can cause a variety of fungal leaf diseases like gray mold or downy mildew. Humidity levels should be around 70-85 percent. Space the plants well so they have plenty of air flow around them.

Soil

Good drainage is key when growing basil plants. Basil prefers rich soil. Mix in compost or manure into the soil before planting. The herb needs a soil pH of 6.0-6.5.

Test your soil and mix in lime in fall if your soil tends to be acidic. If you do not perform a soil test, mix in a fertilizer of 5-10-10 into the soil prior to planting. Basil benefits from growing in a raised bed which will allow you to control moisture retention and soil composition.

Fertilizer

It's a good idea to fertilize basil plants. Approximately two months after the plant has gone into the ground, spread calcium nitrate over the soil. Container grown basil plants should receive an all-purpose fertilizer, like this one from Miracle-Gro, diluted by half every 3-4 weeks.

Problems, Pests, & Diseases

Always be on the lookout for basil diseases and other problems. Fusarium wilt is a common soil-borne fungus that will cause the plant to pale and wilt. Other diseases may be gray mold, leaf spot, bacterial wilt, downy mildew, and root rot.

The most common pests are slugs and snails, aphids, and Japanese beetles. Use diatomaceous earth, which you can get from Amazon, to repel slugs and snails and try an organic soap spray for the aphids. Japanese beetles can be hand picked from the foliage and destroyed.

Pruning

It's best practice to prune basil throughout the growing season. Pinching the terminal shoots when the basil plant is fairly young will encourage branching. Pinch off flower buds as they appear. If these are allowed to bloom the plant will get woody and bitter tasting. Regular harvesting encourages leaf production.

Propagation

Basil propagation can be achieved with seed, starts, or cuttings. Start basil seeds indoors 4-6 weeks prior to planting outdoors. Plant seed ⅛ inch ( .32 cm.) deep and water lightly. Expect germination in 3-4 weeks. Thin the plants to 3 inches (7.62 cm) apart.

Don't transplant seedlings outdoors until daytime temperatures are 70°F (21°C) during the day and above 50°F (10°C) at night. Harden off plants by gradually setting them outdoors for longer periods over a few days.

You can also propagate basil cuttings in water. Cuttings should be stripped of their lower leaves. Place the cut end in a glass of water. Change the water daily. In a couple of weeks the plant will develop roots and will be ready to plant.

How to Grow Basil Indoors

If you're growing basil indoors, place the container in a southern or western window. Lower light levels such as those in fall and winter will signal to the plant it is time to stop growing.

To solve this, use an artificial plant light set for at least 10 hours per day. Keep the soil moderately moist and feed every month with a diluted by half houseplant food, like this one from Miracle-Gro.

Harvesting & Storing Basil

Harvest basil frequently. Take mature leaves at any time, leaving the small ones to finish growing. Large basil plants may be harvested by pinching off a stem. Place this in a glass of water to store. Basil is very sensitive to bruising and will blacken if you are not gentle when handling the leaves.

You may also store leaves in a moistened kitchen towel in the vegetable crisper for 2 days. If you want to keep it long-term, you can dry basil and store it in an airtight container.

Basil Varieties

The most common variety of basil is sweet basil such, as Genovese. These have larger leaves but there are also dwarf plants. Scented-leaf and purple-leaf are some other basil varieties.

• Thai basil - Slight spiciness and more shade tolerance than others.
• Lemon basil - A decidedly citrus scent in the leaves.
• Pesto Perpetuo - A variegated white and green variety.
• Dark Opal Purple - Purple leaves with classic basil flavor.
• Greek Column Lesbos - A huge 3 foot ( 0.9 m) tall plant.
• Marseillaise Dwarf - A French variety with outstanding flavor.

You can explore tons of different and delicious varieties of basil from Burpee.

Frequently Asked Questions