How do I take care of a basil plant?

Question

How often should I water? can I keep it outside? in the light/or in the dark? etc

Answer 1

I live in Phoenix and my basil lives all year long--I just cover it if we get below freezing. I found that the leaves get a bit stronger in flavor if you allow it to flower so I pull off the flowering shoots.

Answer 2

Basil is best kept outside with moderate light...strong sun tends to cause the leaves to fade a little. They like to be watered frequently, and you can take cuttings and root them easily. I grow basil in pots. There are several kinds of basil, and the one that I enjoy most is the Oriental Basil...very different in taste than the Italian forms. Harvest the leaves frequently and dry them...this encourages the plant to become bushier. Soil is not very important but while they like frequent watering, they don't do well in water logged soil...so add some sand or vermiculite to the soil. They flower readily and you should allow a few flower heads to mature for seeds. For cuttings, I take about six inches of the branch...cut with a sharp razor blade...and dip in Rootone (if you have it)...but it not, the plant will probably root anyways.

Answer 3

I do not know where you live, but I am in South Texas and I just planted my basil around a tree and let it go. I water it once a week at most and never pay it any mind and it grows and grows and grows. In fact, when I cut it back, within two weeks it looks like it needs a trim again.

Answer 4

I never had all this fuss with mine.I live in Missouri. I start them right in the pot outside in the spring,thin to 3-4 of the biggest, then lots of water and full sun(it gets quite warm here)-I do use a pot with drain holes and no pan under it,water thoroughly every day and pinch the flower tops off usually every day. They also say the more you harvest the more you'll get and I find that to be true. You can freeze the leaves,dry them, use them fresh in many dishes or make homemade pesto (minus the parmesan)and freeze it,then add cheese when you use it. It's the most carefree thing in my garden.

Answer 5

You can water the plant once in a day in the morning. If ur in living in a very cold climate with snowfall then I would advise u to keep the plant inside the house whenever there is a chance of snowfall. Other wise u can keep the plant outside in bright sun.

Answer 6

Full sun, let dry between watering, trim new leaves to cook with and it will keep blooming. I'm in zone 8 and it's a bi annual. Most places it's an annual. In the Mediterrainian regions where it's native, it's biannual. I accidently hit mine with the lawnmower and had plants come up all over the yard. In the fall, cut it off at ground level and hang it upside down in the shade. When the leaves dry (a week or so) put them in a jar.

Answer 7

One day I decided to grow some basil. I had done it all wrong I just threw it in a pot and watered it too much...please don't make the wrong mistake as I did. To start a basil plant from seeds you need to start your plant in a little green house, at first just make sure the soil is damp for the growth. After the seed is spouted to a little pot and don't water herbs too much, only water when the soil feels really dry.....GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

Basil is an annual. Mine is outside in pots some in the ground in full sun. You will want to save seeds and/or take cuttings to root in water. Temps outside here in SC have gotten down to the low 50's at night as high as 95 day. They survive a wide range of temps, frost will kill, naturally. Keeping it indoors, give it a south sunny window.

Watering; lift the pot, light weight = dry, water it. Or poke your finger in the dirt a couple of inches (knuckles worth) and feel the dirt. They do not like wet feet, or to be totally dry.

You'll do fine!

Answer 9

I am well known for killing plants by forgetting to water them and love basil because it "reminds" me. When it starts looking droopy stick it in a sink of water and let it sit for several hours then take it out and let the extra water drain off. If you have several plants (not just basil) use the tub instead of the sink.

Answer 10

The basil needs to be in light and water it loads! Also make sure its in a big enough pot if it is in one. It could be outside but i think that inside is better. :)