Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow basil

The best tips for growing it at home. - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 13 Jul 2021

When it comes to popular herbs, basil is one of the standouts. With its fragrant, lush green foliage and sweet, spicy flavours it's no wonder basil is a hit in both the garden and the kitchen. 

WATCH: How to make a chef’s herb garden

When you think of basil you probably think of fresh and fragrant Italian recipes like Caprese salads, fresh pasta and pizzas but your use for basil shouldn’t just stop there, it's also a great addition to cocktails and Thai dishes. 

Before you run out to the shops to buy a bunch have you ever thought of growing your own at home? It is actually one of the easiest and most versatile herbs to grow in your garden. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Varieties

Next time you're cooking up a dish to impress, try one of these other exciting varieties. Each has a unique colour, flavour and fragrance - just as for them at your local nursery and plant up! 

You can find over ten varieties of basil in Australia but the two most popular varieties are Sweet and Thai.

  • Sweet Basil - most commonly used basil. Sweet aromatic flavour. Typically used in Italian cuisine. 
  • Thai Basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) - has a distinct liquorice aroma and narrower leaves. It is most commonly used in Thai soups and dishes.
  • Bush Basil - grows in a neat compact mound. It's tiny leaves pack a peppery punch - great for tomato dishes, sauces and pesto. 
  • Lime Basil - features zesty lime notes and goes well in soups, salads and fish dishes. 
  • Dark Opal Basil - features gorgeous purple foliage and adds milk peppery notes to soups, salads and sauces. 
  • Lemon Basil - has a strong lemon scent and is a favourite in Asian-style soups, curries and stir-fries. 
  • Cinnamon Basil - features pretty, lavender-pink flowers and violet stems. Its spicy cinnamon flavours can be used to enhance all kinds of desserts, fruits, salads and teas. 
planting basil
Getty

How to grow basil

Climate

The best growing conditions for basil are warm climates, basil doesn’t fare well in cold, damp weather and frosts. Fun fact: butterflies love basil so don’t be surprised if you see them fluttering near your basil bush.

Aspect

Wondering how much sun basil needs? Basil needs a spot with full sun and a little afternoon shade in hot climates but you can also grow basil in pots indoors, window sills are the perfect spot. As basil stems aren’t very strong it doesn’t fare well in windy conditions so it is best to keep it protected. 

Soil

Plant in well-drained soil, enriched with compost. Use a good-quality potting mix if planting in a pot.

Water

You need to water in well when planting. Once established, water regularly, but check that the soil drains freely, as these plants don't like wet feet. During heatwaves, water often as the thin leaves can wilt in the hot sun. 

Fertiliser

Feed basil regularly with a water-soluble nitrogen fertiliser.

Maintenance

To prolong the life of your plants, harvest leaves when the stems have become woody and pinch out flowers to encourage leaf growth. Frost can kill plants, so harvest well beforehand. 

Cuttings

You can grow basil relatively easily from cuttings. Simply take a few cuttings and place in a glass of water in a sunny spot until roots develop.

basil
Getty

How to plant

Planting basil is relatively easy, you can grow basil from seeds which you can buy from Bunnings or your local hardware or from a small shrub, even the ones you buy in coles and Woolworths will work. 

Basil needs moist, well-drained soil. If you have some compost or fertiliser handy add some to the soil to give your basil a boost. If you are growing basil in a pot remember to turn your pot every couple of weeks for even growth. 

How to harvest

The more basil you eat the more basil you’ll grow as picking leaves encourages new growth. Picking basil isn’t an art, simply pick leaves as you need them by pressing your nail against your thumb to avoid bruising. If your basil starts to flower, simply pinch the flowers off the top to keep your basil bushy and not too tall.

basil in pot
Getty

Care & Troubleshooting

Struggling to keep your basil alive? Here’s a couple of common troubleshooting problems to help keep your plant from dying. 

Caterpillars

Basil and mint are some of caterpillars favourites, dilute some pest killer with water in a spray bottle and spray over the plant. Make sure you give your herbs a good wash before eating. 

Pruning

Not sure how to prune basil? Simply picking leaves from the top of the plant should be enough to keep your basil under control. If you notice any dead leaves snip them off but aside from that it needs little attention. 

Companion plants

The best companion plants for basil are tomatoes, eggplants, beans and oregano. 

  • Garden
  • Backyard Ideas
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens
Australia's favourite TV show, magazine and website.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow six of the most popular herbs at home

How to grow six of the most popular herbs at home

How to make a botanical herb garden

How to make a botanical herb garden

5 reasons to grow fruit in pots

5 reasons to grow fruit in pots

Everything you need to know about companion planting herbs

Everything you need to know about companion planting herbs

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow sweet potatoes at home

How to grow sweet potatoes at home

How to grow passionfruit

How to grow passionfruit

How to grow a fig tree

How to grow a fig tree

{headline}

{headline}

How to install a raised herb garden bed

How to install a raised herb garden bed

10 of the best pots and planters at Bunnings

10 of the best pots and planters at Bunnings

How to grow fruit and vegies in small spaces

How to grow fruit and vegies in small spaces

6 ways to take your next dinner party to the next level

6 ways to take your next dinner party to the next level

Start your own windowsill herb garden

Start your own windowsill herb garden

Simple mistake ruining your herbs

Simple mistake ruining your herbs

How to easily propagate plants

How to easily propagate plants

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription