Basil Growing and Harvesting: Expert Tips and Techniques

Basil is one of the most beloved herbs in home gardens around the world. As someone who has grown basil for many seasons—indoors, outdoors, and in containers—I can tell you that it’s as rewarding as it is aromatic.

Whether you’re making homemade pesto, adding fresh leaves to summer salads, or companion planting alongside tomatoes, basil brings life to the garden and flavor to the kitchen. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share not only the how-to but also tips from years of hands-on experience growing and preserving this warm-weather herb.

Table of Contents

🪴 Get to Know Basil

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Plant type: Tender annual (perennial in subtropical climates)
Origin: India and Central America
Flavor: Sweet, peppery, and slightly licorice-like
Best known for: Pesto, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine
Fun fact: Basil is a natural companion plant for tomatoes and peppers, improving both their growth and flavor.

☀️ Where to Plant Basil

Basil thrives in full sun—6 to 8 hours a day is ideal. Indoors, a sunny windowsill will do the trick. Use well-drained sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Avoid overly rich soil, which can dilute the herb’s essential oils and flavor.

🧑‍🌾 My tip: I plant basil near tomatoes every year—they grow better together and it makes harvest time a breeze.

🗓️ When to Plant Basil

Indoors: Start seeds 6 weeks before your last frost date.
Outdoors: Wait 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Basil is frost-sensitive and won’t tolerate nighttime temps below 50°F.

🌡️ Pro tip: Purple basil varieties need warmer soil to germinate—wait until the soil hits 70°F.

🌱 How to Plant Basil

Seed depth: ⅛ to ¼ inch
Spacing: 12–18 inches apart; smaller varieties can be 6–12 inches apart
Succession planting: Sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest

🧑‍🍳 If you love pesto like I do, plant at least 6–12 basil plants. For preserving, grow even more.

💧 Watering and Feeding Basil

Basil likes moist but not soggy soil. Let the top inch dry out between waterings. Fertilize sparingly—too much nitrogen will produce lush leaves with weak flavor.

🧪 I prefer foliar feeding with diluted seaweed extract a couple of times per season.

✂️ Basil Care and Maintenance

Pinch back stems regularly to encourage bushy growth
Remove flowers as they form to extend leaf production
Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Stake taller varieties if needed

🧤 I avoid pruning woody stems—only the green growth. And I always harvest before the first frost.

🪴 Growing Basil in Containers

Basil is a fantastic choice for container gardening. Use a pot at least 6 inches deep, and place it in a sunny spot. For indoor winter growing, stick with compact or small-leaved varieties like ‘Spicy Globe’ or ‘Greek’.

🐛 Pests and Diseases

Pests: Aphids, slugs, and snails
Diseases: Fusarium wilt and damping-off

🦠 To avoid disease, I rotate my basil beds every 3–4 years and plant fusarium-resistant varieties like ‘Aroma’. Always water at the base to keep leaves dry.

✂️ How to Harvest Basil

Start harvesting 50–60 days after planting
Pinch leaves regularly to keep the plant productive
Harvest in the morning for the best flavor
Always leave a few sets of leaves on the stem to encourage regrowth

🍝 Basil in the Kitchen

Basil is incredibly versatile:

Add fresh to salads, pasta, pizza, and tomato dishes
Cook into soups and sauces to deepen flavor
Pair with lemon, garlic, cheese, and olive oil for classic pesto

🧄 One of my favorite ways to use basil? Layer fresh leaves on a tomato sandwich with a dash of salt. Simple and unforgettable.

❄️ Preserving and Storing Basil

Fresh: Wrap in a damp paper towel in the fridge (around 40°F)
Drying: Air-dry leaves out of direct sun; store in an airtight container
Freezing: Chop and freeze with olive oil in ice cube trays
Vinegar infusion: Add to white wine vinegar for an aromatic flavor boost

Organic Holy Basil or Tulasi with flowers

🌿 How to Propagate Basil

From seed: Germinates quickly in warm soil (over 60°F)
From cuttings: Root in water or moist vermiculite—ready to transplant in 10–14 days

🪴 This is how I keep basil going indoors through winter. Just snip a healthy stem and root it on a sunny windowsill.

Purple basil plant 'Dark Opal' — Purple basil plant ‘Dark Opal’

🌱 Best Basil Varieties to Grow

For Pesto:

‘Genovese’, ‘Sweet Basil’, ‘Aroma 1’, ‘Nufar’

For Indoor Growing:

‘Greek’, ‘Spicy Globe’, ‘Magical Michael’

For Flavor Adventure:

Lemon basil – citrusy and fresh
Thai basil – sweet licorice flavor
Cinnamon basil – warm spice notes
Purple basil – dramatic and aromatic

🌿 I always grow a mix—some for cooking, some just because they’re beautiful.

Final Thoughts

Basil is more than just an herb—it’s an experience. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this plant offers beauty, aroma, and flavor all summer long. With the right care and a few insider tips, you can enjoy fresh basil at your fingertips and fill your kitchen with its unmistakable scent.

Also of interest:

How to Grow Mint

How to Grow Thyme

How to Grow Oregano

How to Make Pesto

Related articles:

How to Start an Herb Garden

Best Herbs for Container Growing

Herbs for Cool Season Growing

Growing Herbs for Cooking

Planning the Home Fruit Garden

Home Fruit Garden Maintenance