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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. 

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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

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Comments

<span>Bonnie Fuller</span> Sat, 09/07/2013 - 15:57
In my basil planting area I have what looks like basil in that it's growing tall however, it developes a sticker . The sticker looks like a puncture vine sticker. Is that the way basil seeds look like?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Sun, 09/08/2013 - 02:51

Hmmmm, I don't think so. When a basil flowers, you usually see purple or pink blooms; you could even cut some stems for a mixed bouquet. Here's a photo: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/vegetabl/basil3.htm

 <span>Travis Oberg</span> Sat, 08/31/2013 - 01:07
I have new basil just starting to grow from seeds. They only have one pair of leaves and are barely showing above the soil. the problem is they haven't been showing signs of any growth for at least a week and a half. I'm worried they are not getting enough sun or something, but the pots are in the sunniest spot possible. what do i do?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Sat, 09/07/2013 - 08:44

For basil to grow successfully, it is important to:
1. Use high-quality compost.
2. Not plant too deeply. Just lightly cover with potting soil and pre-moisten the compost.
3. Avoid crowding them. One plant per pot is fine. Split them up and give each plant their own individual container. They like to be on their own.
Hope these tips help.

 <span>Ddm716</span> Sat, 08/17/2013 - 12:22
First time growing basil...can the flowers and their stems be used to flavor (cook) food? Thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/19/2013 - 10:08

We've never done this, but we've had readers who have. The petals would look lovely in a salad.

 <span>Ddm716</span> Wed, 09/04/2013 - 20:05
Thanks for the response. I will try that once I see the next set of petals.
<span>Iiz</span> Sat, 08/17/2013 - 08:58
Hey this is my first time growing Basil nd I didn't research much b4 doing so... now I now know I was supposed to pinch them when those flowers bloomed.. (which I obviously didnt do nd was wondering what to do now being I have atleast a dozen Basil plants out there with long flower stems coming out if them??
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/19/2013 - 10:14

Pinch off the purple-flowered stalks at their base. It's been warm for basil and it's going into "reproductive mode" and stopping growth. If your basil plants don't keep growing, try cutting them in half (make some pesto) and it should grow back with renewed energy. Since you have so many plants, perhaps you do an experiment this year and do half and half!

 <span>Pattybrn</span> Thu, 08/01/2013 - 11:00
I have Thai Basil and absolutely love it. We took a week long vacation and during that time it went to flower. Now my wonderfully sweet licorice flavored basil is terribly bitter and not palatable. If I prune it back will the flavor return to sweet or have I lost it for the season? Thanks for the answers 'yall.