Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

How to Plant and Grow Basil

sweet basil leaves as nice natural food background
Photo Credit
Jirik V/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Ocimum basilicum
Plant Type
Herbs
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Pink
Purple
White

A Fresh Take on Everyone’s Favorite Herb

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Basil isn’t just for pesto—this fragrant, flavorful herb is a garden MVP. Whether you’re growing it in your backyard, on a patio, or right on your kitchen windowsill, basil is easy to grow and endlessly useful. From starting seeds indoors to snipping the perfect leaves for your next meal, we’ll walk you through how to plant, grow, and harvest basil like a pro.

About Basil

Basil is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and one of the most popular culinary herbs. It’s a warm-weather annual that can be planted outdoors once temperatures are consistently above 50°F. 

Buy Seeds Now

Basil is not usually seeded directly into the soil; typically, gardeners transplant small starter plants purchased at a nursery. Or, they may start the seeds themselves indoors under grow lights.

Common or sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, is the most common basil; other types include purple basil (less sweet than common basil), lemon basil (lemon flavor), and Thai basil (licorice flavor)

If you’re planning on making pesto, grow several plants. For other uses, one or two basil plants yield plenty.

Read Next

Planting

Where to Plant Basil

Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too.

Soil should be moderately fertile and moist but well-draining. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. The pH of the soil should ideally be in the range of 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).

If you plan on cooking with these plants, plant in clean soil, don’t use insecticides, and grow them away from driveways and busy streets so exhaust won’t settle on the plants.

When to Plant Basil

  • To get a jump on the season, start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside. (See local frost dates.)
  • To plant outside, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 50°F (10°C)—preferably around 70ºF (21°C) for best growth. Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 50°F (10°C).
  • Don’t rush basil. Without heat, the plant won’t grow well!

Spacing for Basil

How to Plant Basil

  • If you are sowing seeds directly into the ground, sow no more than 1/4-inch deep. Seeds should germinate within 5 to 7 days. Once they have developed 2 to 3 pairs of true leaves, transplant them.
  • If you are planting the germinated seedlings or starter plants in the ground, spaced 10 to 12 inches apart, basil should grow to about 12 to 24 inches in height.
  • A 2- to 3-inch mulch of compost or ground-up leaves retains soil moisture and minimizes weeds around the plants.
  • Tomatoes make great neighbors for basil plants in the garden—and on the plate—so many gardeners will plant the two warm-weather friends around the same time.
Basil and tomato plants growing in the garden
A tomato plant (center) growing alongside basil.

Growing

How to Grow Basil

  • Make sure that the soil is moist. Basil plants like moisture.
    • If you live in a hot area, use mulch around the plants (the mulch will help hold in moisture and suppress weeds).
    • During the dry periods in summer, water the plants freely.
  • After the seedlings have produced their first six leaves, prune above the second set. This encourages the plants to start branching, resulting in more leaves for harvest.
  • Every time a branch has six to eight leaves, repeat pruning the branches back to their first set of leaves.
  • Fertilize sparingly throughout the season with a 5-10-5 fertilizer.
  • After about 6 weeks, pinch off the center shoot to prevent early flowering. If flowers do grow, just cut them off.
  • If the weather is going to be cold or if a sudden frost is imminent, be sure to harvest your basil beforehand, as the cold temperatures will destroy your plants.

Basil growing in a pot

Types

  • Cinnamon basil, to add a hint of cinnamon to a dish
  • Purple basil adds some nice color to your garden (when steeped in white vinegar, it creates a beautiful color)
  • Thai basil adds a sweet licorice flavor to a dish.

See our post about basil varieties in the garden.

Harvesting

How to Harvest Basil

  • Start picking the leaves of basil as soon as the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall.
  • Once temperatures hit 80°F (27°C), basil will really start leafing out.
  • Harvest in the early morning, when leaves are at their juiciest.
  • Make sure to pick the leaves regularly to encourage growth throughout the summer.
  • Even if you don’t need the leaves, pick them to keep the plant going. Store them for later use!
  • If you pick regularly, twelve basil plants can produce 4 to 6 cups of leaves per week.

How to Store Basil

  • The best method for storing basil is freezing. Freezing will prevent the plant from losing a good portion of its flavor. To quick-freeze basil, package whole or chopped leaves in airtight, resealable plastic bags, then place them in the freezer.
  • Another storage method is drying the basil (although some flavor will be lost). Pinch off the leaves at the stem and place them in a well-ventilated and shady area. After 3 to 4 days, if the plants are not completely dry, place them in the oven on the lowest heat setting with the door slightly open. Remember to turn the leaves (for equal drying) and check them frequently. See more about drying basil, tomatoes, and paprika.

Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

Wit and Wisdom

  • Basil has a lovely fragrance. Pick from the stems and put in water for a few days as you would with cut flowers!
  • For other greens to use in your cuisine, see our Leafy Greens: Health Benefits page.

Where salt is good, so is basil.
–Italian saying

Recipes
Fresh Tomato and Basil Quiche
Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Sandwiches
Farro Salad With Basil and Feta
Fresh Basil and Tomato Frittata
Green Bean and Basil Soup
Caprese Bruschetta
Basil Pesto
Roasted Red Pepper, Mozzarella, and Basil–Stuffed Chicken

Cooking Notes

Make herbal vinegar using basil; it retains the flavor and makes a great gift! See how to make herbal vinegar.

Herbs
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

More Like This

Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 05/12/2014 - 13:45

The last expected spring frost date is an average date based on many years of data from weather stations in your area. For more information, see:

http://www.almanac.com/content/frost-chart-united-states

 <span>Regina Stewart</span> Sat, 02/15/2014 - 20:05
I live in AZ and this year we have not really had a winter I planted basil from TJs last year and it is still growing, the stems at the bottom are like wood but it keeps growing more leaves, some have flowered. I was told once the plant has flowered that the leaves will be bitter, is that true? I hate to pull it up but it is a old plant now and it is almost time to replant.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 02/17/2014 - 17:50

Once basil flowers, production declines. Unless you are looking for seeds, you'd want to pinch off any flower stems before they mature and keep the plant pruned. As it ages, the plant does indeed get woody and there are less leaves to snip. However, you can certainly leave the plant alone to enjoy for its flowers and ornamental value!

 <span>Antoniette Sellaro</span> Fri, 02/07/2014 - 00:12
I just want to ask if I can plant a stem of basil and re-grow it? I put a bunch of basil in a flower vase in the kitchen and it started to grow tiny roots. Can I put that in a pot of soil and grow them? Thanks.
<span>Pheesao</span> Tue, 05/20/2014 - 22:25
I recently placed Basil in a glass of water. I changed the water every couple of days.They developed roots after about 8-10 days. I moved the first one straight into prepared potting soil. It went into shock. I was able to save it by watering it lightly, twice a day for about a week. After that, it was watered when needed. The others, I dipped in rooting hormone before planting and the plants did not have to be babied as much. I water 2-3 times a week & kept the young transplants in partial shade and they did fine. For $.99, I got about 15 small plants that started putting out leaves right away. I will use this method again next year. Maximum plant for minimum work and minimum cost. I'm in Central California where the summers are very hot.
<span>Merrie</span> Wed, 10/01/2014 - 18:48
When you see roots forming on a cutting in water, they are not "real" roots that will take in soil quickly so it may die whrn you pot it into soil. After a plant forms roots in water, add a little soil to the water and wait a bit, adding more soil over a couple of weeks. Then the roots will have adapted to getting nutrients from soil and should transplant well.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/11/2014 - 12:40

You can certainly try! We can not guarantee the outcome; transplants are tender. However, if you give the shoot time to set substantial roots, transplant it gently into a loose-style medium (avoid heavy potting soil), and adequate sun, you might find that you have a new plant. Let us know how it goes!

 <span>Jeannine Barrera</span> Tue, 01/21/2014 - 20:17
I bought a basil plant in a plastic pot at Trader Joe's and now I read that I cannot plant outside until after frost. It's been about 33 degrees here in Stockton, CA in the central valley. We are getting about 70 unusual daytime weather. What should I do with this basil? Will it die outside? should I keep it covered with something to avoid dieing from frost? Keep it in the house at my sink where it will get a little sun but steam from sink? Can you possibly help? Thank you. Jeannine
<span>Sarah E. Taylor</span> Sun, 01/26/2014 - 12:26
We also bought our basil plants at Trader Joe's. I brought them in for the winter and just kept them in my living room by the window (it's even a window that faces west so it only gets sun after, maybe 1 or 2 pm.) The plants did fine and I just put them back outside. Our nighttime lows aren't as low as yours though, I think it's only gotten down to 38. Maybe just sit them out in the day and bring them in at night. Good luck!
<span>Pam Sani</span> Wed, 01/22/2014 - 16:28
Basil will turn black and die if it gets even a whiff of temps below 35 degrees. It likes sun, lots of sun.