Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow in your backyard or indoor garden. Sweet basil, scientifically known as the Ocimum basilicum, is the most popular type of basil that belongs to the mint family. The herb is popularly identified with Italian cuisine. This blog will share everything you need to know about growing basil.
Fresh basil leaves have a strong aroma that delightfully adds a variety of tastes and flavors to your dishes. Common basil flavors include the lemony mint derived from sweet basil, licorice, and cinnamon. The herb’s standard leaf colors are green and deep purple. Basil, in most cases, has crinkled or smooth leaves.
Table of Contents
Types of Basil Herbs
Basil comes in different varieties that have distinct features and flavors. The most common varieties of basil include:
Sweet Basil
Sweet basil, commonly known by its botanical name Ocimum basilicum is the most popular variety. It belongs to the mint family. Sweet basil is used to prepare salads, pestos, pasta, and other famous recipes. You can easily get sweet basil from local grocery stores and supermarkets. You can take your recipes a notch higher by growing sweet basil in your vegetable garden. Sweet basil has green leaves. Growing herb is worth it since it will make your recipes delicious.
Purple Basil
This variety of basil has a deep burgundy-purple color that makes it unique and special. Although purple basil is not sweet compared to other varieties of herb, it gives an amazing burgundy color to your dishes. It also makes your garden look gorgeous due to its burgundy color. Purple basil has a clove flavor that makes it a great ingredient for steeping in vinegar or oil.
Lemon Basil
Lemon basil is gaining popularity in many vegetable and indoor gardens. Lemon basil adds great flavor to fish and poultry dishes. It is also great for tea and veggies. You can easily find this variety of basil in vegetable nurseries.
Cinnamon Basil
Cinnamon basil will add spice and fragrance to your dishes. This type of basil is fun to use in your kitchen due to its mild flavor. You can perfectly pair cinnamon basil with Asian cuisine and grilled veggies or fruits. Its licorice flavor also makes your favorite dishes more delicious.
Thai Basil
Thai sweet basil has small dark leaves that come with a licorice flavor. It is popularly used in the preparation of Asian dishes. Thai sweet basil retains its taste and flavor when you cook it.
Spicy Globe Basil
Spicy globe basil is a dwarf variety of basil. This variety of basil has a strong peppery flavor. It has small leaves that you can cook as a whole. The spicy globe basil is suitable for pot or container growing.
How to Grow Basil from Seed
Basil is an herb that thrives in warm weather. Basil seeds are typically sowed in greenhouse conditions by nurseries to ensure they germinate and grow well. At which point, consumers like you and me purchase and transplant into our vegetable garden or indoor gardens. HOWEVER, let’s talk about how to grow basil ourselves.
To grow basil from seeds, you should sow them indoors approximately six weeks before the last spring frost. Basil takes 60 to 90 days to mature. You can enjoy properly planted basil all summer.
There are two methods of growing basil from seed. The first method is to sow the seeds directly in your garden or containers. The second technique is starting the seeds indoors beneath grow lights.
Direct Sowing In The Garden
If you garden in zone 6 and above, where temperatures are warm, you can directly sow the seeds in your garden.
- Ensure the site receives adequate sunlight and amend the soil with compost.
- Sow the seeds one inch apart and make holes of a quarter of an inch in depth.
- Water the seedbed frequently until the seed germinates.
- Thin the seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart when they develop three sets of leaves.
Seed Start Indoors
The second method of growing basil is starting the seeds indoors. Indoor sowing is preferred if you live in a zone with cold temperatures.
Soak the seeds before planting to increase germination speed and add bottom heat.
- Sow the seed 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- The process involves filling containers with pre-moistened potting mix.
- If you use cell packs, sow 2 to 3 basil seeds per cell. For 4-inch pots, sow 6 to 8 basil seeds per pot.
- Ensure the temperature of your cells is between 73.4 °F – 95.0 °F (23° – 35° Celsius)
- Tip: A heating mat will help your seed germination, but it is not required.
- Separate the seeds by one inch.
- Once you plant the seeds, cover the top of the containers with plastic wrap or a clear dome to retain humidity for proper germination.
- Your seeds should germinate within 5 to 7 days.
- Remove the covering once the seed sprout.
- When the basil develops 3 sets of true leaves, thin them out by leaving only one basil plant per cell or 3 per 4-inch pot.
Hardening
The next step is to harden the seedlings by moving them from indoors to outdoors and back to expose seedlings to outdoor garden conditions such as wind, sun, and weather. The hardening process typically takes at least five days and should not be done on days when there is a risk of cold weather. Cold weather may shock your plants! Read more about the hardening process – details here.
Once your seeds are hardened, the next step is to transplant them to garden beds.
Transplanting
Transplanting should be done during warm weather when their no risk of frost. Add compost to the garden and ensure it is well-drained before transplanting your seedlings. Space seedlings 8 – 10 inches apart. Start harvesting your basil when they have 6 sets of true leaves.
- Select a sunny location in your garden and enhance the soil with a layer of compost to enrich the soil with organic matter. Ensure you plant your basil seeds at the end of the spring or at the start of the summer.
- Harvest your basil frequently. This will ensure they grow large and produce plenty of fresh leaves. Frequent harvests will help your plant's growth. Pinching off the stems allow your herb to produce more stems which increases the productivity of your basil.
- Remove flowers to ensure your basil retains its original flavor. Flowers make basil leaves lose their pleasant flavor.
Where to Plant Basil
The best place to plant basil is a spot with a lot of sunlight. Typically the garden should receive 6 – 8 hours of sunlight daily. Exposure to sunlight is key to protecting your basil from diseases and pests. It also ensures that your herbs will grow properly. If you live in warmer climates, consider providing part shade for your basil plants.
Soil Selection
Basil herbs thrive well in moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. You can improve your soil by adding organic matter such as compost or peat moss. Also, the ideal pH for growing basil is between 6 – 7.
Plant Spacing
To achieve optimal growth, make sure to plant your herbs 8-12 inches apart. This spacing will give the plants room to spread their roots and produce plenty of leaves for you to enjoy.
How Often Should I Water Basil Plants
Since basil thrives in well-draining, moist soil, water your basil when the soil feels dry to the touch. Determining factors include in-ground, the size of your pot, and the climate you live in; this could be every one to two days. Be sure to check the soil before watering, as overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made with basil plants. The basil likes moist, not soggy, soil.
Basil Fertilizer
Basil is relatively easy to grow and does not require much fertilizer. You can add a fertilizer that accelerates leaf growth. To avoid burning the plant, use a fertilizer high in nitrogen but low in phosphates. My go-to fertilizer is fish emulsion. (5-1-1). Boy, does it stink… but it is a great organic fertilizer.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Basil from Seed
Under optimum conditions, the germination of basil seeds is very fast. Your basil seed will take approximately seven days to sprout. However, they can take a longer time to germinate due to cold weather. Basil takes around 60 to 90 days to grow basil from seed to harvest.
Is Basil A Perennial Herb Plant
Basil is not a perennial herb. Basil is an annual herb. Basil herbs have a lifespan of less than one year in regions and climates that experience frost. The plant matures very rapidly. Basil plants sprout from seeds, mature to produce plenty of fresh leaves and flowers, and produce seeds within a few months. Basil is destroyed by frosts and dies due to cold weather.
How To Prolong Your Basil Plant
You can prolong the lifespan of your basil by harvesting the top leaves when the herb reaches 6 inches in height. Pinching off the top leaves prevent your herbs from blooming for a prolonged time.
Some say the blooming slows leaf production. The size of your basil is determined by the type of basil, how you harvest it, and the growing conditions.
Common Basil Diseases and Pests
Harmful insects such as aphids are the most common pests in indoor and outdoor gardens. Slugs and Japanese beetles are other pests that can destroy your basil as they feed on the leaves, creating holes in them. You can eradicate these pests by covering the entire basil herb with a soap solution. You can create this solution by adding 2 teaspoons of dishwashing soap to a gallon of water and spraying the plants with this solution.
Basil is also affected by powdery mildew disease that affects the leaves. This disease can be controlled through the adequate spacing between the herbs to enhance air circulation. To prevent splashing fungal spores on the leaves, you should also avoid overhead watering. Prune the affected leaves to stop them from spreading the disease to other plants.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is also a great strategy for controlling pests such as Japanese beetles, aphids, and diseases on basil plants. Companion plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and oregano enhance the flavor and taste of your basil. I wrote an entire blog on Companion Planting. Check it out
When and How to Harvest
To harvest basil leaves, pluck the leaves off the stem once the plant reaches 6 to 8 inches tall. Frequent harvest promotes the growth and productivity of your basil. It also prevents the plant from flowering and making seeds.
How To Store Basil Leaves
For storage, you can dry basil leaves, freeze them or preserve them using vinegar or oil. We wrote an entire article explaining how to preserve herbs with two simple solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Growing Basil In Containers
Basil is a great herb to grow in containers. It doesn't require a lot of space and can even be grown indoors. The key to growing healthy basil plants is ensuring they have plenty of sunlight and drainage. Basil likes to be kept moist, so be sure to water it regularly.
Does basil come back every year?
Basil is an annual plant that only lives for one growing season. After you harvest your basil, the plant will die. However, you can grow basil again next year. Some people choose to grow basil indoors so they can have a continuous supply of this popular herb.
Are coffee grounds good for basil?
Yes, coffee grounds are good for basil. They help to improve drainage and aeration in the soil and also provide a slow-release source of nitrogen.
Why is my basil plant wilting?
Did you know there are several possible reasons why your basil plant is wilting? It could be that the plant is not getting enough water or the soil is too dry. It could also be that the plant is not getting enough sunlight or the temperature is too hot or cold. If you think one of these might be the problem, try to correct it and see if the plant recovers.
Why is my basil plant drooping?
The most common reason is that the plant is not getting enough water. Basil plants need to be watered regularly, especially during hot weather. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to droop. Another reason for drooping could be the plant getting too much sun.
Finally, nutrient deficiency can also cause drooping. Basil plants need a balance of nutrients, and if they are lacking in any one nutrient.
What type of soil does basil like?
Basil is a notoriously fussy herb, and it likes its soil just so. (Tomatoes are the same. No wonder why the two pair well with each other.
It prefers loose, well-drained soil that's high in organic matter. Basil is sensitive to both over- and under-watering, so the key is keeping the soil moist without getting soggy. If you're growing basil in a pot, make sure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, growing basil is easy and only requires a few simple steps. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy fresh basil leaves all summer long. We hope you enjoyed our post about growing basil. We know that growing herbs like basil is a great way to add more flavor to your cooking, and we are happy to have shared our experiences. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments about growing basil or if there is another topic you would like us to write about. Thank you for reading – Happy gardening!
