Basil
Ocimum basilicum · Lamiaceae
Indispensable herb in Mediterranean cooking.
Herbs · Balcony Plants · Beginner Plants · Fast Growing Plants · Pet Friendly Plants
Updated on 2026-07-17
Overview
Basil is an aromatic annual with intense fragrance, base of pesto and symbol of summer.
How to grow it
Sunny pot or garden bed, minimum temperature 12 °C.
Watering
Regular, soil must never dry out completely.
Light
6 hours direct sun or bright indoor light.
Soil
Rich universal mix, pH 6–7.
Fertilizing
Nitrogen liquid feed every 15 days.
Pruning
Pinch flower heads as they appear to extend leaf output.
Repotting
Not needed, grown as annual.