How to grow Basil

A growing guide for Basil, including spacing, planting, and harvesting tips. Includes notes on pests and troubleshooting.

Plant Basil in rich, well draining soil with plenty of compost mixed in.

Basil plants require a full sun to afternoon shade position, sheltered from strong winds. 

No, Basil plants are not frost tolerant. 

Plant Basil roughly 30cm apart. 

Basil is a warm season crop that is usually planted in spring once the danger of frost has passed. Basil grows best in areas where daytime temperatures stay above 21°C (70°F) and night temperatures above 10°C (50°F).

If transplanting seedlings, plant out in the early morning or evening and/or on an overcast day. Avoid planting at peak sun times or on windy days, this will allow your plants to settle in comfortably and protect them from windburn and sunburn. 

Before planting Basil, prepare the soil by working in compost. You can feed with a light application of organic fertiliser throughout the season, however fertilising is not essential if the soil is well prepared. 

Harvest Basil from the top down by trimming or pinching off the top sets of leaves, up to 1/3 of each stem.

Harvest regularly to prevent the plant from flowering and going to seed. 

Pests that can affect Basil plants include: Flea Beetle, Japanese Beetle, Slug, Snail, Aphids, Cutworms, Loopers, Owlet Moth, Underwings Moth, Grasshopper, Leafminer, Root Knot Nematode, Earwig. 

Diseases that can affect Basil plants include: Downy Mildew, Leaf Spot, Fusarium Wilt, Gray Mold, Root Rot. 

Pinch off Basil flower buds as they appear to keep the plant producing new growth.