Basil is one of our most beloved herbs and it's easy to see why. It's beautiful, it smells amazing and it's versatile and delicious in many different dishes. Growing basil from seed is easy but it does take some time, so make sure to start your seeds relatively early in the season. Basil is a sun-loving water guzzler so make sure to find a warm and sheltered spot and give it plenty of water throughout the season.

Basil is great to grow indoors or on a balcony. Here you will find our favorite basils and other crops for indoor and balcony growing.

Purple Basil Amethyst Improved

AT SOWING

Sow indoors from the end of February (when the light returns). Basil can also be grown all year round with a grow light. Sow the seeds shallowly on a growing briquette or pot filled with soil. Distribute about 5-10 seeds evenly over the briquette/pot. Basil seeds are light-germinating so cover the seeds max. 2 mm.

Cover the seeds with a transparent cover with air holes. Tip – use a greenhouse and place a capillary mat in the bottom to provide an even and good water supply. Place on a heated floor, heating mat or in a window above a radiator for faster germination.

Water regularly with lukewarm water throughout the season – the seeds should always be kept moist! Basil is thirsty!

1-2 WEEKS AFTER SOWING

Provide light. As soon as the seed has germinated and emerged, usually after 5-20 days, it needs a lot of light. Remove the cover and place the pot in a bright and warm place. Basil loves heat! In a sunny window (about 6 hours of sun/day). Grow all year round with a grow light (about 13-15 hours of light/day).

TRANSPLANTATION/ FINAL PLANTING

Replant when the plants are about 5 cm tall in nutrient-rich potting soil in a pot, about 12-13 cm in diameter. The plant will want to be at the same depth as before. Place on a saucer or in a tray. Water thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Fertilize with liquid plant nutrients mixed into the water about once a week. Basil needs more nutrients than many other leafy herbs. Fertilize on the soil and not on the leaves.

Top. Cut off the top just above the second pair of leaves. New shoots will form there and you will get a bushier plant. The top you cut off can be put in water. After a few days, roots will develop and you can then plant it in its own pot. 1 plant will become 2.

Outdoors? Harden off the basil for a few days (get it used to living outdoors for a few hours a day and gradually increase the time each day). If it gets below 10-15 degrees, it may be a good idea to bring the basil inside.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Harvest and enjoy. You can harvest some leaves when the plants are small. But the real harvest party will be about 3-5 months after sowing. Harvest leaves as you go. Make sure the plant does not go into flower. Pinch off any flower buds, this promotes leaf growth and the basil will taste better.

Large leaf basil 'Italiano Classico'

Lemon basil