Basil is one of those herbs that feels like summer in a single leaf. Whether it’s scattered over a caprese salad, blended into pesto, or torn fresh from the stem to garnish a bowl of pasta, nothing quite compares to its aromatic punch. But as easy as basil is to grow, it’s also one of the quickest to flop if neglected. Yellowing leaves, weak stems and a plant that bolts to seed too soon can leave you with little more than a straggly pot on the windowsill.
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The good news is that basil responds quickly to the right care. With just a few tweaks to how you grow and maintain it, you can encourage lush, bushy growth and extend its life well beyond the usual few weeks. Here’s how to get your basil growing faster – and keep it thriving for longer.
Let basil bask in the sun
It might seem counterintuitive to leave those tender green leaves in the full glare of the sun, but basil loves light. In fact, the more sunshine it gets, the better it will perform. Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight a day – whether that’s outdoors in a sunny corner of your garden or on a bright patio. Indoors, a sunny kitchen windowsill can do the trick, but you’ll notice faster growth when the plant is exposed to consistent natural light.
Without enough sun, basil tends to stretch towards the light, leaving you with tall, leggy stems and fewer leaves. By giving it the sun it craves, you’ll not only get a bushier plant, but the leaves will also be more fragrant and flavourful.
Water deeply and consistently
One of the quickest ways to send basil into decline is inconsistent watering. Unlike tougher Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary or thyme, basil has soft leaves that wilt quickly if the soil dries out. At the same time, it doesn’t like sitting in soggy soil either.
The secret is to water deeply and evenly. Let the top layer of soil dry slightly between waterings, then give it a thorough soak. If your basil is in a pot, make sure it has proper drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. For potted plants, an occasional “bath” works wonders: simply set the pot in a shallow tray of water for about 20 minutes and let the roots take up what they need. This encourages stronger root growth and ensures the plant has access to steady moisture without the risk of rot.
Pinch regularly for bushier plants
If there’s one habit to get into with basil, it’s pinching. This isn’t just about harvesting leaves for cooking – it’s about guiding the plant to grow in the way you want. Left to its own devices, basil will grow tall and spindly, and then quickly flower. Once it flowers, its energy shifts from producing leaves to producing seeds, and the flavour often becomes bitter.
Instead, make a point of pinching off the top few sets of leaves regularly. Each time you do, the plant will branch out from just below the pinch, doubling the number of stems and leaves. Over the course of a few weeks, this technique transforms a small basil sprout into a lush, bushy plant with a far greater harvest.
Try to resist the urge to pick leaves from the lower part of the plant – these are the leaves doing the hard work of photosynthesis and keeping your basil healthy. Focus on the tender top leaves, and you’ll see your plant thrive.
Keep an eye on flowers
Flowering is a natural part of basil’s life cycle, but it signals that the plant is nearing the end of its productivity. To extend its lifespan, pinch off any flower buds as soon as they appear. This redirects the plant’s energy back into producing more leaves. If you’d like to save seeds for the following season, allow one or two stems to flower at the end of summer and collect the seeds once they dry.
Choose the right spot
Basil isn’t overly fussy, but its placement can make all the difference. Outdoors, a sheltered, sunny spot works best. Too much wind can damage those soft leaves, and too little sun will slow growth. Indoors, south-facing windows are ideal. If your plant seems to be leaning towards the light, rotate the pot every few days to encourage even growth.
Can you keep basil all year round?
While basil is technically an annual, with the right conditions, you can keep it going throughout the year. Outdoors, it will naturally die back once the first frosts arrive. But bring a pot indoors before the cold sets in, and you can continue harvesting through winter. The key is to replicate the warm, sunny conditions it loves – so keep it in a bright spot and maintain your routine of watering and pinching.
If you do lose your basil at the end of the season, don’t worry. Allowing a plant or two to flower means you can collect seeds and start fresh in spring, ensuring an endless cycle of fragrant leaves.
Basil may have a reputation for being short-lived, but with the right care it can become one of the most generous herbs in your kitchen garden. Give it sun, water it well, pinch it often, and you’ll be rewarded with armfuls of fragrant leaves that last well into the season – and perhaps even beyond.
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