Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, basil is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing basil.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Basil Belong To?
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include peppermint, oregano, and lavender.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Basil?
The minimum container depth recommended for basil is 10-12 inches.
Read more about this in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Basil?
Some of basil's best companions are as follows:
- Oregano
- Tomatillo
- Peppers like poblano and bell pepper
- Tomato. When grown nearby, basil improves the flavor of tomatoes.
- Chives
- Borage
- Chamomile
- Marigold
- Beans like green beans
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and other Brassicas
- Eggplant
- Potato
- Garlic
- Rose
- Blueberry
- Purslane
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Basil?
Basil is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with basil are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Does Basil Need?
Basil prefers moist but well-draining soil with a neutral pH.
How Long Does Basil Take to Germinate?
Basil takes 7-10 days to germinate at a temperature of 65-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Basil Need?
In most areas, basil needs full sun, specifically 6-8 hours per day.
If you live in a mild-summer area like the Pacific Northwest, it may need even more sun than this. Basil loves heat!
On the other hand, if you live in a hot climate, you may be able to get away with part shade (4-6 hours of sun) as long as the air temperature is hot.
How Much Water Does Basil Need?
Basil needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
In most areas, dividing this amount over 1-2 times per week is sufficient. However, this can vary based on temperature and moisture levels.
Basil's soil should be kept moist. If you notice it drying out, this is an indication to give it another watering.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Basil?
Basil grows fastest in temperatures of 50-90°F, especially in 80-90°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.
How Tall Does Basil Get?
The average height of basil is 1-2 feet, but some varieties can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Is Basil Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
In most cases, basil is an annual herb, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.
However, it has the capacity to be a biennial, meaning that its life cycle spans 2 years, ending in the second year, if brought inside and placed on a heat mat.
How Does Basil Reproduce?
Basil reproduces by seed or cuttings.
How Much Basil is Produced Per Plant?
For basil, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the variety and growing conditions.
Most plants in optimal conditions yield about 7 leaves per plant.
Once mature, basil will keep producing leaves to replace those that are picked. So you can increase your harvest by picking leaves as soon as they are ready.
Can Basil Be Ingested?
Basil leaves are edible.
Basil leaves also have carminative and antimicrobial properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:3 at 50-60% alcohol is recommended suggested for a dried basil leaf tincture (1:2 for fresh).
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting basil.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of basil rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for basil here!
Basil is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: