Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Basil in USA - Zone 7a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato
  • A Basil plant
  • Basil flower

A frost tender low-growing herb. Basil is a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The plant tastes somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent sweet smell. There are many varieties including Thai, purple ruffles, and lemon.

In frost-free regions perennial basil varieties will survive for years and the bush will keep on getting bigger and bigger.

Can be grown inside in pots in winter. As the plant develops, pinch out the top to encourage bushy growth. Pick off the flowers to encourage more leaf growth.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Basil

Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes. It is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavour. Tear rather than chop.
The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.

Your comments and tips

10 Apr 20, Joe Ruscigno (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When is it safe to plant basil plants in pots outdoors?
29 Feb 20, Laura (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I’m in Zone 7a/b. When planting seeds in trays, how much light should they get? My cats destroy all plants, so I need to find a place they don’t go, and I’m not sure there’s enough light in that room. Unless just normal daylight from a window is adequate for the germination period (I have 10 black thumbs and really want to get this one right. I’m tired of paying so much for fresh basil from the grocery store)
22 Aug 20, Reeny (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Basil grows indoors easily from seeds! The main thing is to get a LED grow light lamp (Amazon has them on goosenecks for about $20 for a double-neck full spectrum lamp). They mimic the sun. So worth it for indoor plants!
03 Apr 23, Kelly (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Thanks!! I live in 9b also. Great tip!
09 Jul 17, Jayne (USA - Zone 11a climate)
Hi, I'm in Zone 11a and need some clarification. For example regarding Basil, when you state 'P - Plant In The Garden' are you meaning plant seeds in seed trays in these months or to plant out young plants (that were seed sown in trays 4-6 wks earlier) in these months? Hope that question makes sense! Thanks. (P-Plant in garden means plant into the ground unless your local weather is not suitable - in which case, start basil in a seed tray and transfer later. - Liz)
03 Jan 18, Wendy (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Hi Liz; I used to live in Miami, Your best bet is to buy a plant and just use the shoots of the plant. Place in a small container with water until you see roots and then transplant to soil. Basil is a very strong plant making it easy to grow. The more sun it gets the strongest the flavor and aroma. Good luck
11 Aug 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I wouldn't recommend having basil in a spot that gets full sun at midday in the Miami summer. That's too much sun and will damage/kill it. I lost several basils that way. When gardening tips say
27 Sep 23, Janine (USA - Zone 10b climate)
(cont'd) "full sun", they usually don't mean full tropical summer sun.
27 Apr 17, Monique (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Ok,, I live in zone 9A and I'm trying to grown basil. No matter where or how I try to grow it it dies. Looks like it's getting burnt when I plant it outside. How much should I water it or how often ???? HELP !
30 Jul 17, Paul (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Sounds like Downey Mildew. Undersides have grey black fuzz spores, the plant looks like has a nutritional problem. Suggest sanitation, regular application of organic teas and bio fungicides to populate the leaves with bacteria and fungi so the mildew can't get a start.... Varieties with flatter leaves vs. cupped tend to have an easier time.
Showing 1 - 10 of 19 comments

I had the same problem at first. Most instructions aren't very clear on the details. The trick is to wait until there are 3-5 sets of true leaves on the seedling. Then, only cut off the top pair of leaves. Also don't pinch or trim until it is transplanted or in its final pot for growing. For the second "pinch," wait until the suckers (like on tomatoes) have 2-3 new sets of leaves, at least. Always use scissors or shears, btw. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 1/3 of a plant's leaves at a time, if you want it to keep growing. Once I figured out how to trim my basil plants, they went nuts within a couple of months. Now I have more basil than I can handle!

- Anonymous

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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