How to Grow Basil
Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot
Basil, native to Asia, has become a seasoning staple in cuisines around the world. The familiar and fragrant sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is grown as a summer annual that generally reaches about 2 feet tall.
Even if you’re already committed to growing sweet basil as your herb garden mainstay, it’s worth taking a look at what basil varieties are out there. The smaller Greek basil (Ocimum minimum) and other compact varieties top out at 1 to 1½ feet — great if you don’t want it to take up quite as much space — or you can try a larger variety that may reach as high as 4 feet. There are basils with showy purple or dark red foliage or with leaves that are distinctly ruffled. There are also a number of basils with distinctive flavors, including Siam Queen, ideal for Asian cuisine, and those with flavors reminiscent of anise, clove, licorice, lemon and lime.
Basil’s bright color and quick growth also ensure it can hold its own as an ornamental addition to the landscape. Gardeners can use the smaller basil varieties as a low border edging and mix varieties for a choice of flavors and a colorful garden patch.
More summer gardening ideas
Even if you’re already committed to growing sweet basil as your herb garden mainstay, it’s worth taking a look at what basil varieties are out there. The smaller Greek basil (Ocimum minimum) and other compact varieties top out at 1 to 1½ feet — great if you don’t want it to take up quite as much space — or you can try a larger variety that may reach as high as 4 feet. There are basils with showy purple or dark red foliage or with leaves that are distinctly ruffled. There are also a number of basils with distinctive flavors, including Siam Queen, ideal for Asian cuisine, and those with flavors reminiscent of anise, clove, licorice, lemon and lime.
Basil’s bright color and quick growth also ensure it can hold its own as an ornamental addition to the landscape. Gardeners can use the smaller basil varieties as a low border edging and mix varieties for a choice of flavors and a colorful garden patch.
More summer gardening ideas
Favorite basil varieties: Finissimo Verda a Palla, Genovese, Greek (Spicy Globe), Green Ruffles, Mammoth Sweet, Napolitano, Pesto Perpetua (can be grown as a perennial where there is no frost), Purple Ruffles, Purpureum (Dark Opal), Red Rubin, Siam Queen (Thai basil); flavored basils include cinnamon, clove, lemon, licorice and lime
How to grow basil outdoors: Plant basil outside in a sunny location with good drainage. Basil needs heat to grow. If your summers are cool and daytime temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) are rare, try planting basil against a south- or west-facing wall in your garden.
Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart; thin to 1 foot apart once seedlings appear. You can also start basil seeds indoors four to six weeks before planning to transplant. Set basil seedlings or nursery plants 10 to 12 inches apart.
How to grow basil in a pot. Most pots over 8 inches wide will work, but the larger the pot, the larger the basil can grow. Make sure drainage is adequate. Grow several different basils in one pot or pair the plant with other herbs or vegetables such as tomatoes.
For a successive harvest, add new plants or sow seeds about a month to six weeks after your first planting date.
Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart; thin to 1 foot apart once seedlings appear. You can also start basil seeds indoors four to six weeks before planning to transplant. Set basil seedlings or nursery plants 10 to 12 inches apart.
How to grow basil in a pot. Most pots over 8 inches wide will work, but the larger the pot, the larger the basil can grow. Make sure drainage is adequate. Grow several different basils in one pot or pair the plant with other herbs or vegetables such as tomatoes.
For a successive harvest, add new plants or sow seeds about a month to six weeks after your first planting date.
How to take care of basil. Keep the soil most but not soggy. Plan to give your basil fertilizer at least once during the growing season; every few weeks is good if your growing season is long. Pinch back the plants and pinch off the flower stocks to encourage bushiness and leaf production.
Taking care of basil plants outdoors is relatively easy. They occasionally get bothered by slugs, snails and beetles or succumb to gray mold or black spot. Fusarium wilt may be a problem. If so, remove and destroy the basil plant and rotate the planting location on a three- to four-year cycle to prevent future problems. There are also basil varieties that are resistant to wilt.
Taking care of basil plants outdoors is relatively easy. They occasionally get bothered by slugs, snails and beetles or succumb to gray mold or black spot. Fusarium wilt may be a problem. If so, remove and destroy the basil plant and rotate the planting location on a three- to four-year cycle to prevent future problems. There are also basil varieties that are resistant to wilt.
Harvest: You can start to harvest basil once the leaves reach a reasonable size. For continued production, don’t remove more than a third of the basil leaves. Cut just above a node to encourage branching and leaf production.
How to use basil in cooking: Your choices are pretty much endless. Use fresh basil in salads, soups, sandwiches, stews, appetizers and marinades. Turn the leaves into a classic basil pesto, add them to entrées and side dishes, or use them to flavor vinegars or lemonade or as a base for tea. You can also save dried or frozen basil to be enjoyed later.
Tell us: Do you grow basil in your summer herb garden? Share your best tips in the Comments!
More guides to growing your own edibles
Tell us: Do you grow basil in your summer herb garden? Share your best tips in the Comments!
More guides to growing your own edibles
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Regular water; do not let the soil dry out
Prime growing season for basil: June through September
When to plant basil: Plant seeds or set out plants in spring and summer when the soil is warm, at least one week after the last frost date.