How to Grow Basil and Care for Your Plant

Knowing how to grow fresh basil is paramount 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 is also highly beneficial in gardens—basil is a plant that naturally repels insects like flies and mosquitos.

There are plenty of pretty sweet perks to having the fresh stuff on hand. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing basil, including choosing the right variety, growing conditions, and dealing with common problems. We also include some ways to use basil in your favorite dishes.

Choosing the Right Basil Variety

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is part of the mint family and is one of the easiest herbs to grow. This is why so many gardening beginners and cooks flock to it. It’s the star of most pestos and is commonly used in many Mediterranean dishes.

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 the 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. 

How to Plant Basil From Seeds and Cuttings

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. Plant expert Paris Lalicata 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 and then transfer the plant.

Growing Basil from Seeds 

1. Pack moist, fresh potting mix into 4-inch pots, then sprinkle a few basil seeds into each pot.
2. Cover them with a thin layer of dry soil and press firmly.
3. Lightly water or mist the soil, then cover it in plastic wrap to trap moisture.
4. 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. 

Growing Basil from Cuttings

You can actually grow more basil from a fresh batch you bought at the store!

1. Snip off a 4-inch cutting from the basil—avoid stems with flowers and make sure there are a few leaves or leaf nodes.
2. Remove most of the leaves from your cutting.
3. Fill a 4-inch pot with moistened soil, and poke a deep hole with your finger into the soil.
4. Insert your cutting into the divot you created and pat the soil down around the cutting, keeping it upright.
5. Water it (don’t soak it, though) and cover the pot loosely with plastic wrap to trap humidity. (You might need a pencil to prop up the plastic and keep it from touching the plastic.)
6. Place the pot in a bright, warm area, and temporarily remove the plastic once a day for about an hour to encourage airflow.

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. 

Growing Basil from a Transplant

If you’ve been growing your basil indoors but would like to transplant it to an outdoor garden, there are some guidelines you can follow so your plant thrives. Don’t move your plant outside when it’s too cold—late spring and early summer are good times to do it, but the general guideline is that if the temperature is dropping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, it’s too cold for basil outdoors.

Another key guideline for transplanting basil is the temperature. Basil needs soil between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. Once outdoors, your plant should sprout in 10 to 14 days. Basil needs more water outside than it does inside, so water it daily if there’s no rain. To bring your basil inside, don’t wait until the first frost—aim to get your plant back inside in late summer or early fall.

How to Care 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 4 to 6 weeks for indoor plants and every 3 to 4 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 over time.”

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 you should 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.

Common Basil Plant Problems

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

Decaying Leaves

Though basil is a pretty hearty herb, it is susceptible to problems. The most common issues with basil plants involve their leaves, which can show signs of decay.

• Yellowing leaves: You’re probably overwatering your basil if the leaves are turning yellow. The topsoil should be slightly dry between showers. Ensure your plant has proper drainage to avoid overwatering.
• Bolting: Bolting is essentially just when the plant is growing too quickly and is attempting to flower. When basil flowers, its flavor gets dramatically altered. Too much sun can spur the process, so reduce the amount of light your plant receives by moving it away to a 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 are 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 1 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. 

How to Use Basil

Basil is an incredibly versatile herb. It can be used in many dishes, from salads to pasta (or both, in the case of tortellini basil salad). Italian cooking uses basil as a staple, like in this zucchini pesto pasta recipe. Marinades also benefit from the herby sweetness of basil, which can be used on meats and veggies.

But you don’t have to restrict basil to Italian cooking. This curried eggplant with tomatoes and basil combines basil’s pungent flavor with spices used in traditional Indian cooking to make a saucy masterpiece. And if you’re looking for something to make your dessert exceptionally unique, basil is an excellent way to do it. Basil’s flavor profile mixes well with peaches, strawberries, and even vanilla ice cream.