How to Grow Basil at Home

Discover the joys of growing fresh basil with our step-by-step instructions.

Fresh basil is considered a treasure to those in the culinary world (or really anyone with functional taste buds)—the dried version just doesn’t compare to the zesty, peppery flavors in its vibrant green leaves. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is actually a part of the mint family, and is one of the easiest herbs to grow, which is why so many gardening beginners and cooks flock to this plant. It’s the star of most pestos and is commonly used in many Mediterranean dishes. It’s also highly beneficial to have in gardens—basil is a plant that naturally repels insects like flies and mosquitos. Clearly, there are some pretty sweet perks to having the fresh stuff on hand, so if you’re interested in growing basil at home, here’s how you can do it successfully.

Related: 5 Simple Steps to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Fresh Herbs

Choosing the Right Basil Variety

There are so many different types of basil out there (at least 50 known varieties) but in general, they all grow in warm, sunny weather and thrive both in-ground and in containers, so the type of basil you choose to grow will likely be based on your preferred flavor profiles. Below are the most common types of basil.

• Genovese Basil: This is probably the most popular basil variety, and it’s the one most often used for pesto. It’s a little spicy with notes of mint and clove.

• Sweet Basil: Another popular basil variety, sweet basil is very similar to Genovese basil. It’s slightly sweeter though, with a hint of licorice flavor, and has larger leaves.

• Thai Basil: It’s commonly used in Asian dishes and because it has thicker leaves than other basil types, it can stand up to high cooking temperatures. It has an anise undertone.

• Lemon Basil: As implied by the name, this variety has citrusy notes and is also used frequently in Asian cooking.

• Holy Basil: Found mostly in Indian cuisine, Holy Basil is slightly spicy and has notes of clove and licorice.

Planting Basil

Before you roll up your sleeves and get busy planting, decide whether or not you want to grow your herbs in containers indoors or outside in the ground. Paris Lalicata, a plant expert from The Sill, says, “The pros for container gardening is that you can grow basil indoors year-round as long as you have enough light.”

If you opt for in-ground gardening, she says you should keep in mind that “you’re limited to only the growing season, and your basil will be more susceptible to pests and diseases.” Note that even if you want to grow your basil outdoors, you’ll probably need to start the seeds indoors for about six weeks then transfer the plant.

How to Grow Basil from Seed

Pack moist, fresh potting mix into 4-inch pots, then sprinkle a few basil seeds into each pot. Cover them with a thin layer of dry soil and press firmly. Lightly water or mist the soil, then cover it in plastic wrap to trap moisture. Place your pots in a warm area, ideally by a window. (Just make sure it doesn’t get drafty or too cool at night.)

You want to avoid crowded plants so snip extra seedlings at the soil line, and keep the soil moist, but not drenched. Basil can also be directly seeded in the garden after any cold spells have passed.

How to Grow Basil from Cuttings

You can actually grow more basil from a fresh batch you bought at the store! Snip off a 4-inch cutting from the basil—avoid stems with flowers and make sure there are a few leaves or leaf nodes. Remove most of the leaves from your cutting. Then, fill a 4-inch pot with moistened soil, and poke a deep hole with your finger into the soil. Insert your cutting into the divot you created and pat soil down around the cutting, keeping it upright.

Water it (don’t soak it though) and cover the pot loosely with plastic wrap to tap humidity. (You might need a pencil to prop up the plastic and keep it from touching the plastic.) Place the pot in a bright, warm area, and temporarily remove the plastic once a day for about an hour to encourage air flow. When leaves have emerged, you can check to make sure your basil has rooted by very gently tugging. (There should be resistance.) The process takes about a month.

Tips

If you plan to grow multiple basil plants in one large pot, regardless of whether you started from seedlings or cuttings, make sure they’re spread apart. They should be at minimum 6 inches apart, but aim for 12.

Caring for Basil Plants

Basil has some pretty specific growing conditions (hot, somewhat humid, and very sunny) but once you’ve nailed them, you’ll have plenty of leafy greens to harvest.

Light

According to Lalicata, basil needs as much sunlight as possible. Aim for between 6 to 8 full hours of sun a day at the minimum, and make sure nothing is blocking your windows to ensure you’re maximizing the amount of light your plants receive. Windows with south or southwest exposure are ideal, but those facing the east or west will work as well. Lalicata says, “If your space gets medium to low light, you can still grow basil at home with grow lights and position it over for at least 6 hours a day.

Water

Basil plants like a moist environment, you need to stay on top of their hydration. Aim to shower  their soil with an inch of water about once a week. (Do this in the mornings as basil roots don’t fare well when they’re wet overnight.) A good sign it’s time to water them is when their topsoil is drying out—you want to avoid dry soil with basil! Keep in mind that contained basil will likely need more frequent watering than their garden bed counterparts.

If you’re starting from seeds, Lalicata says you should avoid watering them the traditional way. “This can cause the seeds to be planted deeper, which can prevent them from germinating. It’s best to mist the top soil once it’s dry, until the plant germinates and creates its first set of leaves,” she recommends.

Temperature and Climate

Because basil thrives in warm temperatures (Lalicata recommends 70 degrees or higher), you might be better off growing this plant indoors where it’s easier to control the climate. Temperatures should not fall below 50 degrees at night. Lalicata also says basil enjoys higher humidity—mist occasionally or use a humidity dome, which is essentially just a plastic cover that traps in moisture. (You can purchase one online or DIY it using a plastic bottle or zip-top bag.)

Soil

Any standard, well-draining potting mix will work for basil planted in containers, Lalicata says. If you’re planting your basil outside, you can spread a few inches of mulch around your basil’s base to help retain moisture.

Fertilizer

Basil does not require much fertilizer, if at all. In fact, too much can actually ruin the aroma and taste, so you need to be very conservative with how much fertilizer you dole out. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends using a liquid fertilizer at one-half of the label’s recommended strength every four to six weeks for indoor plants and every three to four weeks for basil grown outside.

Pruning and Harvesting

Pruning is essential for lush basil plants. Lalicata says, “Prune as you need to, but it’s good to get in the habit of pruning the plant regularly to help the plant branch out. This will increase your yield overtime.” She adds that you don’t have to cut off all the leaves unless you need all of them for a recipe. Almanac recommends pruning after the first six to eight leaves to encourage bushier growth, and always harvest leaves from the top down. Once you’ve gathered your basil leaves, store them properly in your refrigerator.

Note that you should definitely avoid blooming, especially if you want flavorful basil. Once it flowers, the plant will lose much of its flavor. Pinch off buds before they bloom.

How Long Does it Take Basil to Grow?

Basil is a quick-growing plant! It takes about 10 days for it to germinate, and it should be ready to harvest in about a month. Keep in mind that basil is an annual and needs to be replanted.

Common Problems, Pests, and Diseases

Basil is an easygoing plant, but it’s not immune to issues. Read on for what you may encounter growing it.

Problems

• Yellowing leaves: You’re probably overwatering your basil if the leaves are turning yellow. The topsoil should be slightly dry between showers, and ensure your plant has proper drainage,

• Bolting: Bolting is essentially just when the plant is growing too quickly and is attempting to flower. Earlier we mentioned how you don’t want your basil to flower, and that’s because the taste is dramatically altered once this happens. Too much sun might’ve spurred the process, so reduce the amount of light your plant receives by moving it away to shadier area after a few hours of sunshine, or, if it’s planted outdoors, water frequently and if possible, invest in shade cloth. Pruning and harvesting is crucial in either situation to prevent bolting.

• Wilting or drooping: Your plant is either being under-watered or overwatered, and it’s stressed out! This might also be evidence of root rot, which is caused by overwatering. Another reason your plant might be stressed though, leading to droopy leaves, is that your container or garden bed is way too crowded, resulting in poor air circulation.

Pests

Outdoors, basil is prone to insects like slugs and beetles, specifically Japanese beetles, which make their presence known by creating little holes in the leaves. Indoors, aphids are the enemy. If you’ve got bugs, spray your plant with a mixture of dish soap and water (2 teaspoons of soap to one gallon of water).

Diseases

The basil plant is susceptible to gray mold and leaf spot occurrences. Both can be reduced by watering at the base of the plant and avoiding wet foliage, especially during harvest. It’s also common for basil to experience root rot as a result of overwatering.

Related: The Only 7 Spices You Really Need in Your Pantry

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