Right way to Grow Basil at Home

Discover the delights of cultivating fresh basil with this step-by-step instructions.
Fresh basil is regarded as a culinary treasure, the spicy, peppery notes in its brilliant green leaves just cannot be compared to the dried counterpart.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a member of the mint family and one of the easiest herbs to cultivate, which is why it is so popular with gardeners and cooks. It’s the star of most pestos and a popular ingredient in many home meals.

Basil is also a plant that naturally repels insects like flies and mosquitoes, making it an excellent addition to gardens.
Clearly, there are some pretty nice benefits to having the fresh stuff on hand, so if you want to grow basil at home, here’s how to do it properly.

Choosing the Right Basil Variety

There are at least 50 distinct types of basil available, but they all grow in warm, sunny conditions and flourish both in-ground and in containers, so the sort of basil you choose to cultivate will most likely be determined by your favorite flavor profiles. The most prevalent basil kinds are shown here.

The Genoese Basil

This is perhaps the most popular basil cultivar, and it is the most commonly used in pesto. It’s somewhat spicy, with mint and clove undertones.

The Sweet basil
Sweet basil, a popular basil type, is quite similar to Genovese basil. It’s significantly sweeter, with a licorice flavor, and has bigger leaves.

The Thai Basil
It is often used in Asian recipes, and because its leaves are thicker than other basil species, they can withstand high cooking temperatures. It has an anise undertone.

Lemon Basil
As the name suggests, this type has lemony overtones and is commonly used in Asian cookery.

Holy Basil
It is somewhat spicy herb with clove and licorice flavors that is commonly used in Indian cooking.

What to Consider when Planting Basil

Before you start planting basil, determine whether you want to grow your herbs in indoor pots or outside in the ground.

If you choose in-ground planting, you’re limited to only the growing season, and your basil will be more susceptible to pests and diseases.” Even if you want to grow your basil outside, you’ll likely need to start the seeds indoors for around six weeks before transplanting the plant.

How to Grow Basil from Seeds

Fill 4-inch pots with wet, fresh potting mix, then sprinkle a few basil seeds in each. Cover with a thin layer of dry earth and push down firmly.

To trap moisture, lightly wet or spray the soil and then cover it with plastic wrap. Place your pots in a warm spot, preferably near a window, make sure it doesn’t become drafty or too cold at night.

To avoid crowded plants, clip excess seedlings at the soil line and keep the soil wet but not soaked. Basil may also be sown straight into the garden once any cold spells have gone.

How to Grow Basil from Cutting

You can really produce more basil from a new batch purchased at the shop! Snip off a 4-inch cutting of basil, avoiding stems with flowers and ensuring there are a few leaves or leaf nodes.

Remove the majority of the leaves from your cutting. Then, fill a 4-inch container with wet earth and make a deep hole with your finger. Insert your cutting into the divot you made, then pat soil down around it to keep it upright.
Water it (but don’t saturate it) and cover the pot loosely with plastic wrap to control humidity. Place the pot in a bright, warm location and remove the plastic once a day for approximately an hour to promote air circulation.

Once the leaves have sprouted, gently tug to ensure that your basil has rooted. The procedure takes around a month.
If you want to cultivate numerous basil plants in one huge container, whether from seedlings or cuttings, make sure they are spaced apart. They should be at least 6 inches apart, preferably 12.

How to Maintain Basil Plants

Release it for at least 6 to 8 full hours of sunlight every day, and make sure nothing is blocking your windows to ensure that your plants receive the most light possible.
Windows with a south or southwest exposure are preferred, but those facing east or west will also function.

How to Water Basil Plants

Basil prefer a damp climate; ensure that they are properly hydrated. Aim to hydrate their soil with an inch of water once a week. Do this in the mornings, since basil roots do not perform well while wet overnight.

When their topsoil dries out, it’s necessary to water them. Dry soil is not good for basil. Keep in mind that confined basil will probably require more regular watering than its garden bed competitors.

If you’re beginning from seeds, avoiding typical watering methods which may lead to the seeds to be going deeper, not giving them the chance to germinate. It’s okay to mist the top soil once it has dried, until the plant germinates and produces its first set of leaves.

Temperature and Climate Required

Because basil thrives in warm conditions, it is better grown inside, where the environment can be more easily controlled. Nighttime temperatures should not dip below 50 degrees. Basil prefers more humidity, good to mist it occasionally or use a humidity dome, which is just a plastic cover that collects moisture.

Using a normal, well-drained potting mix for basil plants in pots is ideal. You can plant basil outside but add a few inches of mulch around the base to help retain moisture.

Fertilizer Requirements for Basil

Basil requires very little fertilizer, if any at all. In fact, too much can harm the scent and flavor, so be very careful with how much fertilizer you apply.

You can apply a liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks for indoor plants and every three to four weeks for outdoor basil

Pruning and Harvesting Basil

Pruning is vital for producing lush basil plants. Prun basil on a regular basis to assist it branch out. This will boost your yield over time.

You should trim after the first six to eight leaves to promote bushier growth, and always pluck leaves from the top down. Once you’ve picked your basil leaves, properly store them in the refrigerator.

You should absolutely prevent flowering, especially if you want fragrant basil. When the plant blossoms, it loses much of its flavor. Pinch off the buds before they blossom.

Basil is a quickly growing plant! It takes around 10 days to germinate and will be ready to harvest in about a month. Keep in mind that basil is an annual and must be replaced.

Common Problems, Pests, and Diseases of Basil

Basil is a gentle plant, but it is not immune to problems.
Problems

Yellowing foliage: this is basil leaves turning yellow, due to overwatering, Keep the topsoil slightly dry and maintain optimum drainage for your plant.

Bolting: Bolting occurs when a plant grows too fast and attempts to blossom. Too much sun may have accelerated the process, so minimize the amount of light your plant receives by transferring it to a shadier spot after a few hours of sunlight, or, if planted outside, water often and, if feasible, invest in shade fabric. Pruning and harvesting are vital to prevent bolting.

Droopy leaves:This happens when container or garden bed is just too crowded, resulting in inadequate air circulation.
Pests Outdoors: Basil is susceptible to insects such as snails and beetles, particularly Japanese beetles, which make their presence known by leaving little holes in the leaves.

Aphids are a pest inside. If you have pests, spray your plant with a solution of dish detergent and water (2 tablespoons soap per gallon of water).

Diseases: The basil plant is sensitive to grey mold and leaf spot. Both can be decreased by watering the plant from the base and avoiding moist leaves, particularly during harvest. Overwatering is also a typical cause of root rot for basil.