▷ Basil: how to grow it all year round

Basil is one of the most popular aromatic plants and, what’s more, also one of the easiest. With its intense green it recalls the color of our flag, brings to mind a lush lawn and, why not, the scent of a beautiful margherita pizza 😋 Let’s find out how to best grow basil all year round!

Caring for basil

Basil is a rustic plant and almost everyone, sooner or later, finds themselves practicing with it, but let’s see in detail how to become a pro player in its care!

Basil: what is the best exposure?

Basil grows best with 6-8 hours of full sun per day. Having exposure to bright, direct sunlight also results in fewer disease problems and sturdier plants. However, if we see that it is very hot, I recommend shading with nets or moving the basil plant to a more sheltered spot.

It is important to avoid placing the plant near cold air currents (e.g. window in winter, air conditioner in summer).

How many degrees is basil resistant to?

Basil is a good lover of heat very sensitive to frost and it is therefore very important not to leave it at the mercy of possible spring or autumn frosts. It is advisable not to leave it outside until night temperatures are definitively established above 10°C.

How often do you water basil?

Water regularly until deeply moistenedmaking sure, however, that the water is drained away without stagnation. To know when to proceed with the next wetting, we recommend the usual method: insert your finger into the soil and check if the first centimeters of the substrate are dry, in which case proceed with wetting.

Soil for basil

Basil is most at home in a moist, rich and well-draining soil. It is advisable to add compost to the substrate to increase the level of nutrients present.

As always, we recommend our One and One plus, excellent with aromatics!

Natural fertilizer for basil

A universal fertilizer will be suitable for basil, which needs to be fertilized regularly in order to give its best. However, I personally recommend Biotablets, a real panacea!

Propagation of basil

Propagation is possible from seed and through cutting.

How to prune basil

Basil is a rustic plant that requires little maintenance. Well-drained soil, good air circulation, regular watering and plenty of sunlight are enough to keep this plant healthy. Pruning actually consists of collecting the leaves, once that is done you will be done.

It is good to remember that the leaves should be taken from top to bottom.

Repotting basil

Most basil plants don’t have time to be repotted, because the kitchen calls upon them even before the move.

However, if you start from seed cultivation it will be necessary to change the initial pot to a slightly larger one; this operation must be done when the plant has reached approximately 10 cm.

Common pests of basil

The aphids they are basil’s number 1 enemy, especially with plants grown indoors. Outdoors, snails and caterpillars, fond of its leaves, could also prove difficult.

Furthermore, basil is susceptible topowdery mildewwhich can be controlled by providing adequate space between plants and avoiding overhead watering, as this could cause the spread of spores. In the event of a heavy attack, the plant should be eliminated by moving it away from the others.

Common questions

Is basil easy to grow?

Absolutely yes! It is also a plant suitable for those who are beginners or have small «black thumb» problems.

How long does it take to grow basil?

Approximately 3 or 4 weeks pass from seed to harvest, naturally this parameter varies based on the cultivation conditions and the variety chosen.

Will basil grow back every year?

No, basil is an annual plant and therefore must be replanted every spring.

Can I grow basil at home?

Like most herbs, basil loves the sun, so it will be necessary to place it in a very bright area for it to grow. Otherwise you can also use grow lights, which we told you about here!

Dealing with basil

Now that we have understood how to take care of it, let’s come to some slightly more practical tips, ready, set, go!

How to grow basil all year round: How to plant basil

If you wish to grow basil from seed, you should begin sowing indoors about six weeks before the last frost in spring. Harvesting is approximately 60-90 days after sowing.

Ideally, you should pinch off the top leaves when the basil plant reaches about 15 cm in height to prolong its flowering period as much as possible. Doing so will promote vigorous growth.

To ensure basil grows optimally in pots, two things are particularly important: keeping the soil moist and ensuring sufficient space between plants. This is easier to do using large, deep pots. This allows more soil to retain moisture and provides more growing space for the plants, while also ensuring good air circulation. The optimal distance between plants is 15 to 20 cm. Be sure to use high-quality potting soil.

How to grow basil all year round: the harvest

It is possible to start harvesting basil leaves when the plant has reached 15-20cm. The ideal is to collect the leaves and if it is not possible to consume them fresh, cook them, dry them or freeze them. In any case it is recommended to collect them regularly because this will improve the vitality of the plant.

As we were saying, basil leaves can also be frozen or dried, in the first case they will have a stronger taste but a worse consistency, in the second instead it will be the flavor that will pay the consequences somewhat.

How to grow basil all year round: Types of basil

The term «basil» is much more generic than you might think, in fact a quick look is enough to realize how many types there are!

Here is an overview of the ones we grow here at le Georgiche (you will notice that many types are not available, this depends on the seasonality, in any case if you really can’t wait to have them, you can always start from seed):

Basil “Calimba Pinto”
spicy green leaves and very scenic white flowers;
“Calimba Red” Basil
spicy green and purple-red leaves, white flowers with spectacular flowering;
“Da Vinci” Basil
with a traditional aroma, naturally resistant to downy mildew, it allows for a more prolonged harvest;
Basil “Floral Spiers”
compact habit, with lavender-colored flowers and leaves with an intense aroma, with anise scent;
Basil “Neapolitan Lettuce Leaf”
It has large leaves, sometimes with bubbles, bright green in color and oval in shape. Very widespread variety in Italy, ideal for conservation and drying;
“Lemon” Basil
combines the classic smell of spice with a marked lemon scent and fresh citrus flavour;
Basil “Perpetual Pesto”
it produces variegated leaves, creamy green-white in colour, with the scent of basil, with a hint of lemon. This plant does not flower, but produces leaves in abundance;
Basil “Emerald Tower”
it produces spicy green leaves and white flowers with spectacular flowering;
“White Magic” Basil
a large and robust plant, which produces spicy green leaves and spectacularly flowering white flowers;
Basil “Wild Magic”
it produces very ornamental leaves, olive in colour, almost black, with serrated edges and develops lilac-coloured spikes. The scent is very intense, with a liquorice tone;
Basil with Cinnamon
with pink-mauve flowers larger than those of other basil plants. Purple-brown stems, oval leaves, slightly serrated and pointed, with a variable color from olive green to green-brown. Very spicy aroma reminiscent of cinnamon;
Vanilla Basil
it develops pink-mauve flowers, with oval, slightly serrated and pointed leaves, with a particular aroma reminiscent of vanilla;
African blue basil
maintains its flowering from spring to autumn. Hybrid between camphor basil and dark opal basil, it exudes an intense camphor scent. The young leaves are purple in color, later ripening to green with purple veins. The flowering is very beautiful, with pink spikes that contrast with the color of the leaf. All parts of the plant are edible;
Mountain basil – arctic
it produces green and smooth leaves, with an intense, «fresh» aroma and flavour, reminiscent of frost. Very fragrant and much appreciated in the kitchen;
Fine Green Basil
it produces fine, smooth, bright green leaves, intensely scented, which are used as a condiment;
Common Genoese basil
it produces large, very aromatic leaves and is the most famous variety in Italy. This basil is characterized by a very delicate aroma and the almost total absence of mint aroma. It flowers from June until the end of August;
Neapolitan Bolloso Giant Basil
appreciated for the intense scent of the large leaves, sometimes with bubbles, bright green in color and oval in shape. Vigorous and compact upright plant. Very widespread variety in Italy, ideal for conservation and drying;
Greek basil
it produces small, lanceolate leaves, with a more delicate flavour. Very ornamental plant, which when fully grown naturally takes on a rounded appearance and for this reason it is also called «Ball Basil»;
Basil Licorice (anise or Persian)
It produces dark green leaves and lilac flowers. Flavor between anise and liquorice given by the presence of anethole;
Red Basil
plant that produces narrower and elongated leaves, dark purple in colour, very fragrant, which are used as a condiment;
Thai Basil
erect habit, produces small and pointed leaves, with a very strong and intense aroma of mint and liquorice;
Thai Siam Basil
with green, small and pointed leaves, with a very strong and intense aroma of mint and liquorice;
Violet Basil “Red Rubin”
It produces very ornamental leaves, purple in colour, with serrated edges. The aroma is similar to that of classic basil.

Description of basil

The leaves of this plant are extremely aromaticthey have an extraordinary variety of flavors, from mint, lemon, cinnamon to even liquorice.

Leaf colors range from deep green to deep purple, with smooth or ridged textures. The flowers, on the other hand, are mostly insignificant but much appreciated by bees.

The leaves are the best-known part to use in cooking, but even the flower buds are edibletry it to believe it 😉

The size of the plant depends greatly on the variety chosen and the growing conditions. Common basil (Ocimum basilicum) generally reaches 15cm in height but can grow up to 45-60cm.

Taxonomic description

It is a member of the same family as mint, Lamiaceae.

It is a perennial or annual herb.

How to grow basil all year round: Habitat

Despite being so linked to Italy and our culture, basil it is native to India.

Basil is pet friendly

Here’s some good news: basil It is pet friendlytherefore green light to its cultivation even if you have particularly greedy dogs or cats at home.