Over the years Ive come across lots of gardening guides with lots of amazing tips – but always a bit disparate. I could never find a guide that follows a plants journey from being in a seed pack to harvest and ending up on the dinner table as a delicious meal – and teaches the gardener exactly what to do at every key step along the way.
This guide is going to take you from the point of starting a basil seed to harvesting it and enjoying it in a delicious meal. My hope is that this basil growing guide helps you feel comfortable and confident in your Mindful Garden, allowing you to spend more energy simply on enjoying the garden rather than questioning whether or not its growing properly.
And as always, we answer every question we receive so if theres anything youre unsure of or that we dont cover, just leave a comment below and well respond to you!
Basil is one of the most popular herbs grown in home gardens Adding fresh basil to recipes like pesto, pizza, and caprese salad takes them to the next level. Fortunately, basil is also one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed This makes it inexpensive and accessible for any gardener.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about basil seeds. We’ll cover when and how to plant them, proper storage methods troubleshooting germination issues, and lots more tips for success. Let’s dive in!
There are over 150 varieties of basil, each with its own unique scent, flavor, and appearance. Common types like sweet basil, Genovese, and Thai basil are very easy to find as seeds or starter plants. More ornamental varieties may need to be sourced online or from specialty nurseries.
No matter which type you choose, starting with seeds is the most affordable way to grow lots of basil. Here are some key things to know about basil seeds:
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Basil seeds are very small. Their tiny size makes them a bit challenging to handle.
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On average, there are anywhere from 400 to 1000 seeds per gram. A single packet contains 100+ seeds.
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Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70-85°F. This means basil can be started indoors early.
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Basil seeds usually sprout within 5-10 days when conditions are right.
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If sowing indoors, seeds should be started 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Now let’s look at how to store these tiny seeds properly.
Storing Basil Seeds
Like most seeds, basil seeds stay viable longest when stored in a cool, dark place. A refrigerator is ideal. Here are some tips for storage:
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Place seeds in an airtight container like a mason jar or zip-close bag. Glass jars are preferred over plastic.
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Add a silica gel desiccant pack to the jar to absorb excess moisture.
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Store seeds in the refrigerator if possible. The freezer can also work.
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Avoid storing seeds in extremely hot or humid environments.
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Write the seed type and year collected on the container.
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Ideal storage temperature is 40-50°F.
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Most basil seeds stay viable for 3-5 years when stored properly.
Follow these simple steps and your basil seeds will be ready to plant when the time comes!
Germinating Basil Seeds Indoors
Starting basil from seed indoors is relatively easy. Here is the full process, step-by-step:
1. Prepare Seed Starting Mix
Use a sterile, soilless mix made for seed starting. Lightly moisten the mix so it is damp but not soggy wet.
2. Fill Seedling Trays
Plant 1-2 basil seeds per cell in a seedling tray or pot. Cells should be at least 1 inch deep and wide.
3. Cover Seeds & Label
Cover seeds lightly with 1/8 inch of seed starting mix. Label trays with the basil variety and date.
4. Provide Heat & Light
Place trays on a heat mat set to 70-80°F. Position under grow lights or in a sunny window.
5. Maintain Moisture
Water trays from below to avoid disturbing seeds. Keep the medium evenly moist but not wet.
6. Watch for Sprouts
Basil sprouts in 5-10 days when temps are 70-85°F. Expect slower germination if it’s cooler.
7. Care for Seedlings
Once sprouted, remove the heat mat. Keep seedlings at 65-75°F under lights for 14-16 hours per day.
8. Transplant Outdoors
Harden off and transplant basil outside after all danger of frost once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall.
Be sure to use clean pots, trays, and tools to avoid issues with mold or disease. And don’t let seedlings get too leggy under weak light. With a little care, you’ll get strong transplants ready for the garden!
Troubleshooting Poor Germination
Sometimes basil seeds fail to sprout well. If the germination rate is low, here are some common issues to check:
Old Seeds: Basil seeds should have a germination rate of 65-85% when fresh. Discard and replace seeds over 3 years old.
Improper Temperatures: Basil needs soil temps of 70-85°F to sprout well. Fluctuating temperatures can also impact germination.
Overwatering: Excess moisture leads to fungal issues. Let the starting medium dry out slightly between waterings.
Fungus or Mold: Disinfect trays and tools. Improve air circulation. Water less frequently to prevent damping off.
Too Deep: Basil seeds should be sown just 1/8 inch deep. Seeds buried too far may fail to emerge.
Weak Light: As soon as seeds sprout, they need 14-16 hours under grow lights or direct sun.
With good cultural practices, you should expect 70% or better germination. Try sowing extra seeds if you anticipate some won’t make it.
Direct Sowing Basil Outdoors
While starting indoors is recommended, you can also direct sow basil right into the garden. Here’s how:
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Wait 2-3 weeks after your last expected spring frost to sow.
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Prepare a seedbed in full sun by mixing in compost. Rake smooth.
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Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 10 inches apart in rows or blocks.
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Water gently to avoid washing out small seeds.
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Cover beds with fabric row covers to retain moisture and heat.
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Thin basil seedlings to 6-12 inches apart once established.
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Expect slower germination, often 14+ days when direct sown.
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Watch for birds who love to snack on basil seedlings! Use netting.
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Basil can be succession sown every 2-3 weeks to ensure a constant supply.
Direct sowing requires less work up front. But you may get lower germination overall and will have to thin crowded seedlings. Starting indoors gives you more control.
Caring for Basil Seedlings and Plants
Once your seeds germinate, the fun really begins! Here are tips for caring for basil at all stages:
Seedlings: Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions through hardening off. Fertilize with a balanced or high-phosphorus fertilizer.
Transplants: Bury stems deeper than the seedling was originally growing when transplanting outside. This encourages more root growth.
Sun and heat: Basil thrives on 6-8 hours of sun. Afternoon shade in midsummer helps prevent bolting. Nighttime temps above 50°F are best.
Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. About 1-1.5 inches per week is needed, adjusting for rainfall.
Container plants: Potted basil may need watering daily in hot weather. Let soil dry slightly between waterings. Use a porous container with drainage holes.
Pruning: Pinch off flower heads to prolong leaf production. Prune strategically to shape plants. Remove lower leaves or cut back entire plant by 1/3 if needed.
Nutrients: Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced or slightly higher nitrogen formula. Fish emulsion is great. Discontinue fertilizing 6 weeks before first frost.
Pests: Check daily for aphids, spider mites, thrips. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap. Caterpillars may eat holes in leaves.
Diseases: Avoid wet leaves overnight. Improve air circulation. Remove affected leaves immediately if fungus appears.
With the proper care, your basil will thrive both as seedlings and mature plants!
Harvesting Basil
Once your basil reaches about 6 inches tall, you can begin harvesting leaves as needed. Here are some harvesting tips:
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Pick leaves from the top down in order to promote more growth. Older leaves at the bottom are less flavorful.
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Cut leaves just above a set of leaves or lateral buds. Don’t strip off branches completely.
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Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor.
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Leave several mature leaves at the top when harvesting to keep plants producing.
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For cut-and-come-again harvesting, cut plants back by 1/3. They will regrow leaves for future harvesting.
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Basil can be harvested multiple times per week once established.
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Use scissors for clean cuts rather than tearing leaves.
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Handle leaves gently to avoid bruising. They blacken quickly once bruised.
With frequent harvesting, you’ll get the maximum yield from each plant. And using basil straight from the garden results in unbeatable flavor!
Saving Basil Seeds
Let a few basil plants flower and set seed each year to collect your own seeds for future growing:
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DAY 56: HOW TO PRUNE BASIL
Because Basil loves a warm environment and is a fairly small plant, we can start them inside well before they move outdoors. Because of this, I actually do my first pruning while the plant is indoors.
This is one of the most critical parts of growing basil – proper pruning.
Ultimately, we want as many basil leaves as possible as thats what we harvest and eat. And to promote leaf production and foliage growth, we need to prune the basil plant.
Basil plants develop distinct nodes that new leaves will grow out of. If we prune the plant just above this node, then the stem will split into 2 new stems that will all put out new leaves. As we continue to do this over the course of the season, the number of stems goes from 1 to 2 to 4 to 8 to 16 and beyond and as a result you end up with a very bushy basil plant with an abundance of leaves to harvest.
As youll see in one of the upcoming videos, this pruning immediately creates a bushier plant and we will continue to prune in the manner on a biweekly basis to maximize leaf growth.
DAY 21: FIRST TRUE LEAVES
The basil is now a few weeks into growing and slowly but surely beginning to look like a plant. As a smaller vegetable or herb, it is going to look much smaller than some of our other plants (such as Cucumbers and Zucchinis) at this point so dont be alarmed if the leaves are much smaller and lower to the ground.
The important piece to note at this point is that we are beginning to see the first sets of true leaves establishing. The very first set of leaves that comes through is known as the “Seed Leaves” or Cotyledons. Every plant has these and their role is to push through the surface, setup an initial canopy, and allow the plant to begin to grow. The next set of leaves generally looks significantly different and is known as the first set of “True leaves.” With basil plants, these true leaves are the ones that we will ultimately be harvesting and therefore also looking to grow as many of as possible (which we will promote through basil pruning).
Other than that, we dont need to do anything differently. Simply leave your basil baby under the grow light for 12-13 hours per day, water it every 2-3 days, keep the environment warm, and it will begin to put on its first sets of true leaves in the coming weeks!
Next 30 days: Allow it to just grow.
When to move it outside
How to Grow Basil from Seed in Containers | from Seed to Harvest
FAQ
How long do basil seeds take to germinate?
Should I soak basil seeds before planting?
Do basil plants need full sun?
How many basil seeds per hole?
How do you plant basil from seed?
Planting basil from seed is a breeze and requires no special knowledge or tools. Here’s how to do it: About 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area, prepare seed starting trays, newspaper pots, or peat pots. Fill with sterile seed starting medium. Sow 2-3 basil seeds per cell or pot, planting them 1/4″ deep and firming the soil well over top.
How long does it take for basil seeds to grow?
The ideal temperature for basil seed germination is 70 to 75F (21 to 24C) with the seeds emerging in about 5 to 10 days. If you have a seedling heat mat you can use it provide bottom heat to both speed up germination and increase germination rates. As basil seedlings grow thin them to one plant per cell pack.
How do you grow basil seeds in a jar?
Place a small handful of basil seeds in a bowl of warm water and let them soak for about 8-12 hours. This helps soften the seed coat and promote germination. 3. Prepare the Container Fill a clear glass or jar with water, leaving some space at the top. 4. Plant the Seeds Carefully pour the soaked basil seeds into the water-filled container.
Can you grow Basil indoors from seed?
By following these steps, you can successfully grow basil indoors from seed and enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs all year round. Remember to provide proper care, including water, light, and nutrients, to ensure your basil plants thrive indoors. 4. How To Grow Basil Seeds In Water | An Easy Guide Germinating basil seeds is an enjoyable process.