Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum
The essential summer herb — pinch often for a bushy plant.
Sun
Full sun (6+ hrs)
Water
Regular; never let it wilt
Soil
Moist, well-drained, pH 6.0–7.5
Spacing
25–30 cm apart
Days to harvest
30–45 days
Hardiness
Zones 4–10 (frost tender)
Seasonal Calendar
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow warm
Basil needs 20°C+ to germinate. Start indoors or wait for warm soil.
- 2
Pinch early
As soon as there are 4–6 true leaves, pinch the top pair. Do this weekly to build a bushy plant.
- 3
Prevent flowering
Snip off any flower buds — once basil flowers, leaves turn bitter.
- 4
Harvest often
Cut whole stems above a leaf pair. The more you harvest, the more it grows.
Common problems
Yellow leaves
Usually overwatering or cold. Let the top of soil dry between waterings.
Downy mildew
Improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, grow resistant varieties.
Good neighbors
TomatoPepperOregano
Field tips
- “A basil plant on the windowsill next to tomatoes seems to improve flavor and repel flies.”
- “Preserve extras as pesto and freeze in ice-cube trays.”