How to Grow Basil at Home to Enjoy All Year Round

 Keep the fresh scents and flavors of basil always on hand by starting the seeds regularly in your home. 

There is something refreshing in the summery aroma of basil growing indoors on the windowsill. When you gently brush the plant with your hand, the vibrant scent will quickly fill the air. Plus, having a pot of basil grown in a sunny spot in your kitchen ensures that you always have easy access to this delicious herb while you're cooking, no matter the season. Of course, you can purchase potted basil plants from your local garden center or grocery store during the spring and summer months. But with just a few dollars' worth of seeds and some time, here's how to grow basil indoors year-round.

How to Grow Basil from Seed at Home?

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors. You can grow this plant from cuttings or seeds. Starting seeds from the inside gives your seedlings a warm and safe start. You need to make sure you put basil plants in your sunniest window (preferably facing south or east). Follow these steps to help you grow basil indoors from seed.

1. Plant basil seeds at the right time.

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed. Read your seed packets to find out how many weeks of growth your plants will need before moving outside. You can start basil seed indoors and transplant the grown plant outside in rich, well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. If you live in a cold or very hot climate, start plant seeds in early spring so that the young plant is well established before the summer heat and winter cold. Gardeners living in a temperate climate can transplant seedlings into the garden most of the year. 

2. Prepare your pans.

Pre-moisten the soil so it is slightly moist when you first water them to help keep your seeds from slipping. Then, loosely fill the small pots with high-quality potting soil; Commercial starter mixes are sterilized to destroy weed seeds and disease-causing microbes. Choose a pot or container that allows good drainage. If your pot doesn't have drainage, drill a few holes in the bottom.

3. Plant, water and cover the seeds.

Sow the seeds by pressing lightly into the soil with your finger and then lightly cover with soil (check the seed packet for instructions on planting depth). Lightly water the seeds and then cover the pot or container with plastic kitchen cloth or a plastic dome. This will keep the soil mix and seed warm to encourage germination.

4. Provide ample light.

Growing basil indoors needs a lot of light. Place the container in a sunny area, such as a south-facing window, or place it under a growing light and remove the plastic wrap or covers when the seedlings emerge. If using grow lights, adjust the height of the fixture as the plants grow to make sure the bulbs are at least 6 inches above the top of your plants. When growing plants indoors on a sunny window sill, be sure to give your plant a quarter turn a week to expose it to sun all over to make sure the seedlings won't become spindly and wilted.

5. Increase air circulation and humidity.

Place a small fan near your seed starting area to keep air moving and reduce damping off, a common fungal disease. To increase humidity indoors – especially during the winter – place the plants in a tray of wet pebbles to increase the humidity around them. Fill the tray with water until the surface of the water is just below the bottom of each pot. Another option is to place a humidifier nearby.

6. Keep the seedlings moist.

Once your indoor basil seedlings start growing, don't let their soil dry out. It's important to keep your basil plants well hydrated at this stage to encourage healthy root growth. This will help your plants become larger and more efficient at absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.

7. Harden the plants.

About a week before planting your seedlings, gradually acclimatize to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them outside in a shady spot for a few hours on a warm day to get used to the differences in temperature, humidity, and outside air movement. Remember to bring them back inside at night. Over the next few days, gradually increase the time they spend outside. By the end of the week, your plants should acclimate and be ready to transplant.

How to Grow Basil in Water at Home?

Another way to propagate your basil plants indoors is to root them in water. To do this, take your basil plant and cut the stems 3 to 4 inches long and remove any leaves that will be submerged. Fill a glass with water and place the stems in the glass.

When the stems start to take root, change the water every few days. This helps deter bacteria that can create an unhealthy condition for your basil cuttings. When the roots are about an inch long, transplant the cuttings into fresh potting mix. Water your new basil plants thoroughly for the first week or two. You will soon see new leaves growing and you can reduce watering a bit.