Basic Care for Basil
Here's what you need to know to keep this versatile herb alive
When choosing herbs to grow, it is good to consider two things: what you require for fresh meals and what you can grow easily. Basil, arguably is one of the more versatile herbs (think pesto pasta, pizza margherita and the simple caprese salad) and fortunately, also one of the easiest to grow.
A fragrant annual (a plant that has a life cycle of one year) with a bushy appearance, the most common types of basil are sweet basil and the licorice-flavoured Thai basil. While you can buy them as seeds, this handy guide is for looking after them once they have sprouted.
A fragrant annual (a plant that has a life cycle of one year) with a bushy appearance, the most common types of basil are sweet basil and the licorice-flavoured Thai basil. While you can buy them as seeds, this handy guide is for looking after them once they have sprouted.
2. Water right
Basil is not tolerant of water stress so it is important that the pot has adequate drainage.
Basil needs to be watered at least once a day, and if it is extremely hot, twice. Do note that the goal is to keep the soil moist but not soaked. To test dampness, stick your finger about two centimetres deep into the soil and if the soil feels dry even at this depth, it is time to lightly water the plant.
Tip: As long as they are still green, wilted basil can still be revived so don’t just chuck them in the bin. When you water them, they should perk back up again.
Basil is not tolerant of water stress so it is important that the pot has adequate drainage.
Basil needs to be watered at least once a day, and if it is extremely hot, twice. Do note that the goal is to keep the soil moist but not soaked. To test dampness, stick your finger about two centimetres deep into the soil and if the soil feels dry even at this depth, it is time to lightly water the plant.
Tip: As long as they are still green, wilted basil can still be revived so don’t just chuck them in the bin. When you water them, they should perk back up again.
3. Let some light in
Or in some cases, put the plant under fluorescent light. Basil should be placed by a sunny window, for four to six hours a day. Potted basil plants can also survive indoors with about 10 hours of artificial light.
Or in some cases, put the plant under fluorescent light. Basil should be placed by a sunny window, for four to six hours a day. Potted basil plants can also survive indoors with about 10 hours of artificial light.
4. Harvest regularly
Pruning prevents them from becoming more straggly and eventually growing fewer leaves. If anything, cutting the plant regularly helps it grow better. Do not be afraid to cut off the newly growing leaves on top as this will actually encourage the plant to branch out.
Tip: If you end up with more basil than you can use, store the leaves in a freezer bag and in your freezer. Another alternative is to dry them out in a bunch by hanging upside-down in a cool, dry and dark location. The freezing technique keeps more of its flavour, though.
Pruning prevents them from becoming more straggly and eventually growing fewer leaves. If anything, cutting the plant regularly helps it grow better. Do not be afraid to cut off the newly growing leaves on top as this will actually encourage the plant to branch out.
Tip: If you end up with more basil than you can use, store the leaves in a freezer bag and in your freezer. Another alternative is to dry them out in a bunch by hanging upside-down in a cool, dry and dark location. The freezing technique keeps more of its flavour, though.
5. Maintain the right pH levels
If you’re bent on making sure that your basil plants stay healthy, specially when growing indoors, it may put your mind at ease to keep the pH level of the soil between 6.0 and 7.5. Check this aspect once every four to six weeks using a store-bought soil-pH tester.
Tip: Basil is one of those plants that will grow in a wide pH range, with a preferred range of 5.5 (strongly acidic) to 6.5 (mildly acidic) over being alkaline. So if you don’t want to bother yourself with testing the soil, just add organic fertiliser or home-made compost to the pot every four to six weeks.
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If you’re bent on making sure that your basil plants stay healthy, specially when growing indoors, it may put your mind at ease to keep the pH level of the soil between 6.0 and 7.5. Check this aspect once every four to six weeks using a store-bought soil-pH tester.
Tip: Basil is one of those plants that will grow in a wide pH range, with a preferred range of 5.5 (strongly acidic) to 6.5 (mildly acidic) over being alkaline. So if you don’t want to bother yourself with testing the soil, just add organic fertiliser or home-made compost to the pot every four to six weeks.
TELL US
What other house plants would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
Basic Care for Healthy Orchids
Mosquito-fighting plants
Choose organically-grown basil. Fertilisers or pesticides that are chemical-based affect how safe your plants will be for consumption. If you are lucky to have a friend who has a thriving herb collection, ask if you can have a small pot of basil. You can also ask for cuttings of basil to grow your own. Snip 10-centimetre sections of the basil plant that have not yet flowered and place in water. Within a week, roots should form. You can transplant the basil into a container filled with potting soil once a healthy root system is apparent.
Tip: The next time you need to purchase a bunch of basil for a recipe, consider buying one growing in a pot instead.