Sweet Basil

How to grow sweet basil

Light

Give six to eight hours of direct sun. Indoors, use the sunniest windowsill or a grow light.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist. Potted plants in summer may need water every day. Water in the morning at soil level.

Soil and feeding

Plant in fertile soil with added compost. Feed potted basil every two to three weeks with a liquid fertilizer at half strength.

Planting and pruning

Sow or plant outdoors only when nights stay above 50°F (10°C). Basil is damaged by any cold. When a plant is 6 in (15 cm) tall, pinch off the top just above a pair of leaves. Keep harvesting from the top, and remove flower buds as soon as they appear.

Propagation

Grow from seed, which germinates in five to ten days in warm soil. Stem tips also root in a glass of water within two weeks.

Common problems

Plant flowers and the leaves turn bitter

Bolting, brought on by heat and age. Pinch off buds early and sow a fresh batch every few weeks.

Yellow patches with gray fuzz underneath

Basil downy mildew. Remove affected plants, improve air flow and grow resistant varieties.

Black or dark leaves

Cold damage. Protect plants below 50°F (10°C) and never store fresh basil in the refrigerator.

Questions about sweet basil

How do I harvest basil so it keeps growing?

Cut stems just above a pair of leaves, never taking more than one third of the plant at a time. Two new shoots grow from each cut.

Can basil grow indoors?

Yes, with at least six hours of strong light. A small grow light makes a big difference in winter.

Plant details

• Edible
• Grows in containers
• Fragrant
• Good for beginners
• Pet-safe