How to Grow Basil
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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
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Sun
Full Sun (6-8 hours)
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Water
Regular (keep moist)
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Spacing
12" apart
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Depth
0.25" deep
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Height
12-24"
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Germination
5-10 days
Ready to Grow Basil?
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Common Basil Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Genovese
The classic Italian basil with large, fragrant leaves — the standard for pesto.
Thai Sweet Basil
Anise-scented variety with narrow leaves; essential in Southeast Asian cooking.
Lemon Basil
Citrusy, light-scented basil; excellent in salads, fish dishes, and teas.
Purple Ruffles
Striking deep purple variety used as a garnish and in flavored vinegars.
Dwarf Bush
Compact mounding plant ideal for containers and borders; small, intensely flavored leaves.
Cinnamon Basil
Warm, spicy-scented basil with purple stems; great in fruit dishes and drinks.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Basil Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Soft green or black insects on new growth; excrete sticky honeydew that attracts ants.
Blast with water; plant near marigolds; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Metallic green beetles skeletonize leaves in midsummer.
Handpick in the early morning; knock into soapy water; use row covers during peak season.
Ragged holes in leaves overnight; shiny slime trails visible in the morning.
Apply diatomaceous earth around plants; use beer traps; avoid watering in the evening.
Diseases
Yellowing between veins on upper leaf surface with gray fuzzy spores beneath; spreads rapidly in humidity.
Plant resistant varieties (e.g. Amazel, Rutgers Devotion); improve airflow; avoid wetting foliage.
Seed-borne fungal disease causing sudden wilting, streaky brown stems, and plant death.
Buy certified disease-free seed; rotate planting location annually; destroy infected plants.
Common Mistakes
Once basil flowers, leaves turn bitter and production drops rapidly.
Pinch flower buds weekly; make a final large harvest and preserve as pesto when bolting begins.
Wet foliage is the primary trigger for downy mildew.
Water at the base; water in the morning so leaves dry quickly; use drip irrigation.
Basil dies in a frost and sulks when temps are below 50°F.
Wait until nights are reliably above 55°F before transplanting outdoors.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟢 EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Let a few stems bolt and flower fully. Harvest seed heads when brown and completely dry.
Processing
Shake dried seed heads into a bag, separate seeds from chaff by blowing gently.
Seed Viability
Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Basil cross-pollinates between varieties — isolate by 150 feet or bag flower heads to keep varieties pure.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Basil. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Basil Planting Calendar by Zone
Basil Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Basil? +
Start Basil seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.
How long does Basil take to grow? +
Basil typically matures in about 60 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Basil indoors or direct sow? +
Basil should be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.
How much sun does Basil need? +
Basil requires full sun (6-8 hours) to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Basil? +
Space Basil plants 12 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Basil need? +
Basil has regular (keep moist) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Basil? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Basil is rated easy. Let a few stems bolt and flower fully. Harvest seed heads when brown and completely dry. Shake dried seed heads into a bag, separate seeds from chaff by blowing gently.
How long do Basil seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Basil seeds remain viable for up to 5 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Basil seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Basil is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Basil
Aromatic culinary herb essential for Italian cooking. Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
Expect your Basil to be ready for harvest in approximately 60 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.