And rounding out our list of perfect herbs to grow indoors is thyme. Aspect. You can grow basil indoors at any time of the year and enjoy their fresh leaves all year round. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How To Grow Herbs Indoors on a Sunny Windowsill, How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants, How to Grow Grape Ivy Vines (Cissus) Indoors. After germination, remove from the propagator (or take the bag off) and ke… unlocking this expert answer. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Basil is quick to germinate and easy to grow from seed. Basil plays a key role in Italian cooking. Once you have repotted, keep these pro tips in mind, and your new plant is sure to thrive. Growing Basil Indoors – The Products That Come To Rescue. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Do not plant basil outside until the last chance of frost passes in your area. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home. Place the pot or container on top of a tray to catch any water that leaks out. Basil growing indoors requires at least six hours of sunlight. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Approved. Start basil seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or direct seed it in the garden after the last spring frost. For more advice from our Horticultural reviewer, including how to harvest your basil leaves, keep reading. The kitchen seems like an obvious spot to store your tasty herbs—that’s where you will be using them, after all—and the windowsill there … If the temperature drops below 39°F, basil will turn up its toes and die. Because you’re growing your Thai basil indoors, you will need to be extra careful about the levels of temperature and humidity that are fluctuating around your plant. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. ", "The spacing of the plants and the pinching to make the plant bushier is great. Growing a basil plant indoors is a reliable way to keep your kitchen stocked with garden fresh flavor, and the foolproof process requires minimal effort. What can I do to check if they will grow? This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. However, basil grown indoors … If you grow your basil indoors, the best place it by a sunny kitchen window or an east-facing window. There are actually over 100 varieties of basil that all have slightly different tastes, from Italian sweet basil to Thai spicy basil. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Japanese beetles are basil's primary—and most destructive—pest. Wondering how much sun basil needs? Prune the basil every couple of weeks. Indoor Temperatures for Growing Basil Most people grow basil indoor during the winter for obvious reasons, but you can really grow basil indoor anytime of the year. Be careful if you’re setting the basil directly onto the windowsill. Needed to, "After reading, I now know how to plant basil successfully and how to take care so it grows. You can place a piece of plastic over the container or pot to lock in moisture. When given the proper care you can successfully grow basil either from seeds or grow them in water. This is an updated video on my indoor basil growing. 2) Some basil seeds, a plant pot and soil from your local store. The trick is to get the plant enough sunlight. There are dozens of types of basil, including lemon basil, Thai basil, purple, and many others. It is the most frequently grown herb because of its easy growing nature and abundant culinary uses. The best growing conditions for basil are warm climates, basil doesn’t fare well in cold, damp weather and frosts. Propagating Basil is easy, you can start it from cuttings or seeds. Lightly moisten fresh potting mix and pack firmly into 4-6" pots. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Sprouting from seed, producing an abundance of fresh leaves, then flowering and going to seed all over the course of a few months. If you're using fluorescent bulbs, keep them on for 12 hours with the lights about 2-4" away from the plant. That temperature should then drop at night to somewhere around 68°F (20°C). Water: Keep regularly moist. Aim for spreading the seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart from one another. You don’t need to press the seeds into the soil. Seeds are best started off indoors from late February to mid-summer. ". For more advice from our Horticultural reviewer, including how to harvest your basil leaves, keep reading. While temperatures close to 50°F won’t kill your basil, the cold can cause the leaves to blacken. If you are in the northern hemisphere, a south-facing window typically works best. Plants will grow fast in containers, so expect to pot them up a few times during the growing season. Purchase basil seeds from a reliable source. Leggy plants usually lack sunlight. Basil seeds prefer warm soil and warm weather. Fill a 7.5cm (3in) pot with seed compost, firm down and sow a few seeds of basil over the top – most will germinate so only sow a few more seeds than you need. Basil that has flowered can still be eaten, but it will be bitter. This helps ensure your plant has enough energy to keep growing. When growing indoors, basil is one of those plants that requires warmth from its roots to the outer basil leaves. Basil starts readily from seed (also under lights) so you can experiment with all different types. Plant basil alongside chamomile, lettuce, peppers, and oregano. The glass window can cause the basil plant to become too warm or too cold more quickly than usual. This herb loves warm, sunny days. Basil responds well to pruning, but don't expect indoor plants to get quite as large. However, … Tips for Growing Basil Indoors Growing Conditions. Even during the summer, it's nice to have some plants inside. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This video will teach you the best way to plant, grow, care for, and harvest basil. You can cover the pot with a small, clear freezer bag and secure with an elastic band. 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