Basil has been a staple in many cuisines for centuries, and there’s nothing quite like harvesting your own fresh basil to give your dishes that something extra. I’ve been growing herbs for many years, and basil remains one of my favourites. I use it both as a companion plant in my garden and as a herb for kitchen use.
Today, I want to share tips on growing basil from seed, caring for it, and harvesting it to get the most from your plants.
How to Grow Basil from Seed
You can either direct sow basil where you want it to grow or start it in a seed tray. Both methods work well—basil transplants easily as a seedling. The basil you see in stores is often a cluster of many plants grown tightly together, so scattering a lot of seeds in one spot works great for achieving that full look.
Use good-quality compost with plenty of nutrients to grow healthy plants with large, flavourful leaves. There are lots of different basil varieties, and not all of them have thick leaves, but their flavours are just as good
When using a seed tray, leave space to sprinkle the seeds, then lightly cover them with soil. This is better than poking holes, which can sometimes go too deep. Don’t worry if the soil ends up slightly thicker—basil seedlings are resilient and will push through.
For direct sowing, use your finger to draw shallow grooves, like writing in sand at the beach. Scatter seeds into these grooves and gently cover them with soil.
Once the seeds are planted, water them well to start the germination process.
I like to grow seedlings in a clear container with a lid partially covering it. This helps retain moisture and improve humidity, which encourages seeds to germinate. In my hot climate, seed trays dry out quickly without this, so using a lid has made a big difference in my success when growing basil from seed.
How Often to Water Basil
Keep the seeds consistently moist for the first few months while they are germinating and the plant is young. Once its established, looking after basil is quite easy. Watering once a week is usually enough. However, if you’re in a hot climate like me with brutal summers, it’s better to water it every day.
Make sure the soil has good drainage, as basil doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. This typically shouldn’t be a problem if basil is in full sun, as it dries out the soil more quickly. However, if you’re growing basil indoors, a potting mix with good drainage becomes more important to avoid waterlogged soil.
How Long Does Basil Take to Grow
Basil seeds typically take about one to two weeks to germinate. After that, it will take around 4–6 weeks to grow into a nice, healthy plant. Keep in mind that basil grows fastest in warm temperatures (20–25°C) with plenty of sunlight. If the plant isn’t getting enough light or warmth, it may take longer to mature.
How Much Space Does Basil Need to Grow
Basil grows well in clusters and usually reaches about 30 cm (12 inches) tall and wide. I use it a lot as a companion plant and find it has no issues being planted wherever there’s a spot. If you’re harvesting it regularly, the plant will stay small and compact anyway.
How to Grow Basil in Pots
Basil is a hardy herb, making it a great choice for pots. It likes to dry out between waterings and is quite drought-tolerant, which makes it good for container gardening. Its hardiness also makes it a good candidate for growing indoors, especially in a sunny kitchen with plenty of light. I personally keep mine outdoors in a larger pot, where it can get as much sun as possible for better growth, with my other herbs.
How to Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing
To help your basil plant grow more leaves and become bushy, make sure to harvest it regularly—at least once a week. If you let it grow too long without harvesting, it will mature, become woody, and get leggy, producing fewer leaves. Your goal is to keep as much of the plant green and growing for as long as possible
Pinch the flower buds off with your fingers to focus the plant’s energy on producing more leaves rather than flowers. Basil grows new shoots from underneath the leaf nodes, which you can see in pairs all along the stem. Pinch or cut just above these baby shoots, and it will encourage the plant to branch out into two new shoots, helping your basil become bushier over time.
Why Is My Basil Growing Flowers?
Basil flowering can either indicate stress or be a sign that the plant is maturing in good conditions. In my experience, basil tends to flower quite readily. If this happens, simply pinch off the flowers to focus the plant’s energy into growing more leaves, and continue harvesting regularly.
Basil Seedlings Not Growing
If your basil seeds aren’t growing, the issue is likely related to warmth or watering. Basil seedlings need warmth to germinate, so make sure they are kept at a temperature of around 20–30°C (68–86°F) and have access to plenty of light. Additionally, basil seeds need to stay moist throughout the germination process, so ensure your watering schedule keeps the soil consistently moist without letting it dry out.
Why Are My Basil Leaves Turning Yellow?
Yellow leaves are most likely a sign of nitrogen deficiency or underwatering. If you’re harvesting your basil regularly, it needs plenty of nutrients to replenish and grow new leaves. Make sure to use a good potting mix and fertilize regularly to keep up with the plant’s demands.
Basil likes to dry out a bit, so it’s better to water less frequently and underwater rather than overwater. This is especially important if your plant is indoors, as overwatering is easy to do. Only water when the soil is dry.
Why Are My Basil Leaves Turning Brown
Brown leaves could be caused by the same issues as yellowing, but in my experience, they’re most often a result of overwatering. Basil can tolerate underwatering very well, so if you’re seeing more brown leaves, it’s probably due to too much water. If your basil is indoors, this is even more likely since overwatering is easier to do indoors. Outdoors, in full sun, overwatering is less of an issue.
I’d recommend making sure the potting mix is well-draining and increasing the time between waterings—once every week or two should be enough. Before watering, check the soil by sticking your finger in. If you feel moisture or if a lot of dirt sticks to your finger, wait another week before checking again.
Conclusion
Growing basil from seed is pretty easy and caring for your plant after is even easier, especially with the right conditions and care. By following these tips for watering, spacing, harvesting, and troubleshooting common issues, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh basil in your garden or kitchen all season long.
