Basil: An Herb Society of America Guide

Cultivation

Whether started indoors or sown in the garden, growing basil can be a rewarding experience for gardeners of all levels of experience. This section of the guide will discuss recommendations for both indoor and outdoor growing, with the help of some of HSA's expert members. 

As a tropical plant, basil requires plenty of heat and light. Most basils are hardy only in very warm climates where there is no chance of frost (79), but they can be grown outdoors during the warmer months in northern climates. Typically, basils are hardy in zone 10 or higher (14, 47), but keep in mind that this zone number is a guideline rather than a rule. Even though some species are annuals and some are tender perennials, many are grown as annuals in the north. Likewise, some annual basils can be grown as short-lived perennials.

Propagation

Basil can be grown from seed or cuttings. 'African Blue' and non-seeding varieties like the cultivar 'Lesbos' (syn. 'Greek Columnar,' 'Aussie Sweetie') can only be grown from cuttings (1, 24). According to James Adams, Curator of the National Herb Garden, growing basil from cuttings is relatively easy and is important if you want to prevent crossing. This is particularly helpful for preserving the integrity of unusual varieties (1). To grow basil from cuttings, cut a 4-inch portion of the stem before it flowers, remove the leaves from the lower section of the stem and place the stem in a small cup of water. Place on a windowsill and change the water daily until roots form. After roots have emerged, basil can be moved to a small pot (24).

Another thing to keep in mind about seeds is labeling. Basil seed packets are notorious for being mislabeled (21, 24). Keep an open mind and a watchful eye and realize that you may not always get what you were planning on. One way to increase the likelihood of accuracy is to get seeds from reputable sources or from friends who have saved seed (21). 

Next topic: Indoor Cultivation

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