I love growing basil every year to harvest fresh aromatic leaves to cook with. It also makes for an attractive leafy plant to have in your kitchen garden, and can infuse scent into your patio space. But, one problem I've experienced in the past is my basil not lasting very long, turning yellow and wilting away after just a few weeks.
That's was until I did some thorough research into how to grow basil and unlocked some tips and tricks from experts on what to do to get basil to grow bigger and last longer. Of course, you need to meet the basic growing requirements for basil to grow well, but you can also use a few maintenance techniques to encourage a longer life for this annual herb.
'To get basil to grow bigger and last longer, the key is consistent pruning, proper sunlight, and smart watering,' says gardening expert Sara Rubens. Here are the three steps she recommends following to have a thriving basil plant all season long – mine has already been performing better than usual as a result.
3 ways to get the most out of your basil
Although basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow at home, it is prone to problems if not cared for and maintained properly. You'll likely get a good few weeks out of it before your basil wilts or basil turns yellow. But, this doesn't have to be the case, so long as you try these tricks:
1. Don't be scared of placing basil in direct sun
With such tender leaves, your first instinct might be to place your basil somewhere with partial shade, protecting it from intense afternoon sun in the hope of avoiding leaf scorch. But, I have seen first-hand that this herb is a sun-lover.
'Basil thrives in full sun, so make sure it's getting at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Without enough light, it will stretch and weaken,' Sara explains.
In the hottest US hardiness zones, however, you should consider providing some garden shade for extremely intense sunlight, as this can affect the foliage of your basil. These plant umbrellas from Amazon work well for potted plants.
But, for the most part, placing your basil in a sunnier spot will work wonders for new growth, especially if it's started to look a little straggly.
Sara Rubens is the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, a garden design company based in North Carolina that specializes in creating year-round food sanctuaries. After transitioning from a corporate career, Sara developed a passion for gardening during the pandemic and saw the need for personalized, hands-on coaching.
2. Soak your basil once a week
If you've ever let your basil dry out, you've likely watched it quickly decline rapidly. Unlike the drought-tolerant herbs rosemary and lavender, basil is moisture-loving.
'Basil prefers evenly moist soil but hates soggy roots, so water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, and make sure the container or garden bed drains well,' says Sara.
One trick to use is to soak your basil in a basin or bowl of water each week. You'll need your basil to be growing in a container with drainage holes (like these terracotta pots from Amazon) for this to work.
Leave it in the pool of water for around 20 minutes. When I do this, I physically see the leaves perk up afterwards.
The soil will soak up as much water as it can take, allowing your basil roots to have access to consistent moisture without oversaturating them and risking root rot.
As an extra precaution, you can use this soil moisture meter from Amazon to check if it's time to water your basil.
3. Only pinch off the top set of leaves
When trying to get basil to grow bigger and last longer, it's important to get basil pruning right. It may be tempting to harvest basil from all over the plant, but sticking to particular leaves will help double the size of your herb quickly.
'Regular pinching or pruning encourages basil to become bushy rather than tall and leggy,' says Sara. 'Always pinch off the top few sets of leaves, especially before it flowers, to redirect energy into leaf production instead of seed making,' she explains.
You can do this just by using your fingers, or these herb pruning scissors from Amazon if you prefer.
Make sure to also follow the one third pruning rule when tending to your basil plant. Not doing so is a herb gardening mistake that can stunt growth and limit the size of your basil plant.
FAQs
Can I keep basil productive all year round?
Yes, it is possible to keep basil productive all year round by growing it indoors during the coldest seasons. Outdoors, it will dieback in fall when frost arrives, but bringing it indoors can extend its life and provide you with a harvest year-round. You do, however, need to keep on top of pruning and watering, and provide adequate light, to keep it productive for longer.
When it's nearing the end of the growing season, consider allowing your basil to put out flowers and set seed. This way, you can save basil seeds to plant next year and start the process all over again.
Shop herb basil growing essentials:
Plant these seeds to grow sweet Italian basil. They're non-GMO heirloom seeds.
Use these herb scissors to prune and harvest your basil with clean, sharp cuts.
Give your basil a boost of nutrients with this fertilizer specially formulated for herb plants.
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