How to Grow Basil

January 21, 2025 peacefulvalley

Why Grow Basil?

Basil is a popular herb known for its aromatic leaves and culinary uses in both Asian and Western cuisines. It's a warm-weather annual that’s easy to grow, even for beginners. With many varieties like Thai Basil, Purple Opal, and Spicy Globe, there's a basil for every gardener and recipe.

Planting Basil

Basil grows best with 6-8 hours of sunlight and thrives in soil with a pH between 5 and 7, with its ideal being 6.4. You can start basil indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or direct sow it outdoors after the last frost.

Scatter seeds evenly and cover with ¼ inch of soil or compost.
Keep the soil moist during germination.
Weed regularly to give basil seedlings space to thrive. Basil seedlings have distinctive D-shaped leaves arranged opposite to each other.

For indoor starting tips, check out our Seedling Care guide.

Watering and Mulching

Basil enjoys even moisture but doesn't like to be overwatered. Drip irrigation or hand-watering at the base is best, as overhead watering can cause issues. Mulch with loose straw to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

Harvesting Basil

Harvest basil regularly to encourage growth:

Pinch off fresh young leaves as needed.
When harvesting stems, cut just above two leaves to encourage bushier growth.
Pinch out flower stalks to prevent bitterness, unless you're growing ornamental varieties like Purple Opal or using flowers for salads.

Preserving Basil

Basil is an annual plant that will eventually flower and die, but you can preserve its flavor:

Drying: Hang small bunches upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated room for about a week.
Freezing: Chop basil, add water or olive oil, and freeze in ice cube trays. Transfer frozen cubes to a bag for storage.
Store dried or frozen basil for up to a year.