How to look after basil plants indoors: Basil is a popular herb that can be used for cooking or as an addition to various meals. Basil is often used in Italian and Mediterranean dishes, the aromatic leaves on Basil plants are also a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine. Basil is a quick growing herb that can be ready to be harvested in 3 to 4 weeks. For beginners, it is easy to grow and is an excellent choice. But like all plants, basil needs care and attention to be healthy. In this article, we will explore some tips on how to look after a basil plant indoors, from keeping it watered and fertilized to removing dead leaves.
What is basil?
Basil is a type of herbaceous plant that originates from Central Africa or Southeast Asia. The Latin name for basil is Ocimum basilicum, and it is related to mint and oregano. Basil is easy to grow, but you need to be careful with its care indoors.
Basil needs bright light and plenty of water to grow well. If you want to keep your basil plant indoors, make sure you expose it to bright light in the morning and avoid any direct sunlight in the afternoon or evening. You should also water it regularly, using a mild liquid fertilizer if desired.
Basil can be propagated from stem cuttings taken in late winter or early spring, but be aware that the plants will not produce as many leaves as they would if they were grown from seed.
How to Grow Basil Indoors
Growing basil indoors is easy. Plants can be grown in containers just to make sure the container is well-drained to prevent water stress. They should be planted in nutrient rich soil with the spacing between each plant kept relatively close, it’s important to keep the soil soggy but not wet, over watering a balance or letting it sit exposed to water sources will cause the roots to rot.
When growing Basil indoors you will need to use some form of fertilizer as the plant needs nutrients for growth. Basil grown for culinary purposes requires fertilizers that are organic. When it comes to basil most house plant fertilizers should be used at half the recommended strength. Growlands Herb Plant food and Growlands House plant food are recommended for growing basil, our organic fertilizer not only provides the correct nutrients and micronutrients that basil requires to thrive it also helps maintain the pH level of the soil.
To maintain optimal health and plant quality, you should check your soil’s pH levels every four to six weeks to ensure they maintain this level of 6.0-7.5
Basil Water Requirements
Basil likes to stay moist and needs about an inch of water per week. Water deeply at least once a week to keep the roots growing deep and the soil moist. Basil growing in containers will need more frequent watering. The best time to water basil is early in the morning. The plant grows best when the soil is kept soggy just remember to never flood the plant as overwatering will cause root rot.
Basil Lighting Requirements
Basil grows best when exposed to at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. When picking a growing location for basil it’s best to look for sun patterns around your home and place it in an area with the required sun exposure, normally a south facing window is ideal. If you live in an apartment or don’t have any sunny locations dont worry, an alternative to growing basil indoors is to grow under fluorescent lights that give about 10 hours of light. Once you have plants that are established they will continue growing beautifully into the next season as well.
Basil Indoors or Outdoors?
Basil is a hardy plant that can grow in both indoor and outdoor conditions. With proper care, the plant thrives in almost any environment and will become a valuable staple to your kitchen garden.
How to plant basil
Basil is a hardy, evergreen shrub that grows up to 1.5 meters tall.
Basil is a member of the mint family and should be planted in full sun or part shade. Basil needs well-drained soil and can tolerate drought conditions, but will do better in moist soil.
Basil can be propagated by cuttings taken in early summer. Basil likes a slightly acidic environment and will do best if grown in an area with good air circulation.
To plant basil, start by digging a hole that is twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to accommodate the shrub. Carefully remove the old soil and add a layer of fresh potting soil. Place the plant in the hole and tamp down lightly. Water well and regularly during the growing season.
Basil will bloom in early summer and will produce leaves all the way up the stem. Harvest the leaves as they start to turn yellow, before they become bitter.
Tips for growing basil
Basil plants are a versatile houseplant that can thrive indoors in a variety of climates. Here are some tips for keeping basil plants healthy and thriving:
1. Keep your basil plant well-watered. A regular watering schedule will help keep the leaves and stems crisp and green. Watering should be done gradually, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
2. Fertilize your basil plant monthly with a balanced fertilizer designed for houseplants. Do not over fertilize, as this will cause foliage yellowing and wilting. We advise Growlands Herb plant food or Growlands Houseplant food.
3. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources – these will scorch the leaves. Basil plants do well in a south or west-facing window.
4. Clip off any brown or dead leaves to maintain an attractive appearance and prevent disease.
5. Prune basil plants regularly in early winter (after the new growth has stopped), to remove any crowded or spindly branches. Clip back any long stems that have taken over the pot or grower. Basil plants do best when they have plenty of room to grow.
Conclusion
As basil plants grow, they will need a little extra care to stay healthy and thriving. In this article we talked about how to fertilize and care for a basil plant as well as giving a number of tips on how to look after your basil plant indoors.