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  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow basil

The best tips for growing it at home. - by Lottie Dalziel
  • 27 Nov 2019
How to grow basil

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 is a great addition to cocktails and Thai dishes. But 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

You can find over ten varieties of basil in Australia but the two most popular varieties are:

  1. Sweet Basil - most commonly used basil. Sweet aromatic flavour.
  2. Thai Basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) - has a distinct liquorice aroma and narrower leaves. It is most commonly used in Thai soups and dishes.
planting 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. 

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. 

basil

How to grow

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.

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.

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. 

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Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel, is a 4AM riser and coffee-addict who loves reading up on the latest trends in sustainability or discovering ways to upcycle almost anything! You can find her by the beach, cooking up a storm or adding to her abundant (some would say out of control) plant collection.

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