- Take a 4-inch section of the stem before it blooms.
- Take off the leaves from the bottom part of the stem.
- Put the stem in a small container with enough water.
- Place the container near a window.
- Change the water daily.
- When roots emerge, move the basil to a small pot.
What is the best way to grow Basil?
Trim basil and place it in a jar with a bit of water so that the bottom of the stems are just touching the water. You don't want them to be completely submerged in water, because that will actually cause them to go bad more quickly.
How to grow Basil outdoors and in a pot?
Tips On How To Grow Basil in a Pot
- Find a Sunny Spot. Basil needs a warm and sunny place to grow. ...
- Choosing a Container. Basil can grow in almost anything. ...
- Start from Seed. Basil is amazingly easy to grow from seed. ...
- Feeding and Watering. Basil is water-sensitive. ...
- Harvesting. It is necessary to pinch back your basil often for it to grow bushy instead of tall and lean. ...
How long does it take to grow Basil?
- About 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area, prepare seed starting trays, newspaper pots, or peat pots. ...
- Sow 2-3 basil seeds per cell or pot, planting them 1/4″ deep and firming the soil well over top.
- Keep the trays or pots warm (between 75°F and 85°F) and moist until germination—which should happen in about 5-7 days in ideal conditions. ...
Does basil plant need a lot of Sun?
The basil is a plant that needs a sunny and warm area to grow whether nurtured indoor or outdoor. The plant should get an average of 6-9 hours of sunlight a day. However, as a seedling, the basil shouldn’t be exposed to too much sun. The seedling will experience discoloration if not shielded from the sun.
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What is the best way to grow Thai basil?
How to Care for Thai BasilWater your plant lightly and frequently. Thai basil needs consistent watering, but if you overdo it, the plant's leaves will turn yellow and fall to the ground. ... Fertilize Thai basil in the growing season. ... Trim the flowers before harvesting. ... Harvest the leaves properly.
How do you look after Thai basil?
Although regular watering is essential, once established, Thai basil is easy to grow. Harvest regularly and remove flower spikes to delay your basil running to seed. Thai basil prefers a moist soil, so enrich with compost and manure, water regularly, and mulch to reduce water loss through evaporation.
How do you propagate Asian basil?
Take a 4-inch stem cutting right below a node and remove all of the leaves from the bottom 2 inches of the stem. Place the cut end of the stem in a glass or jar of water, allowing it to grow until newly generated roots are a couple of inches long.
Does Thai basil grow back every year?
Is Thai Basil Perennial? According to seedaholic.com, Thai basil is a perennial but is usually grown as an annual. You can also continue growing Thai basil indoors all throughout the year successfully.
How long does Thai basil plant live?
The basil plant's lifespan differs depending on how you take care of it. If it is grown inside where there is less threat from cold winters, it may survive for six months. However, if grown in the ground, basil lives for about four to five months in warm, sunny conditions.
Should you cut flowers off Thai basil?
Check your basil plants frequently for flowers, and if you see any, pinch them off right away. If the flower stems are too woody to pinch (often the case with Thai basil), cut them off with shears. A plant allowed to flower will soon go to seed, stop growing, and die, so be vigilant about removing flowers.
Is it better to propagate basil in water or soil?
Plants grown in containers will dry out faster and require more frequent water. Basil prefers fairly rich but well-draining soil, such as potting soil amended with compost. Basil is a tender annual herb, so it will only last for one year.
Does basil regrow after cutting?
When you clip basil stems back to a fresh set of leaves, you force those leaves to grow, doubling the basil produced on that stem. And as those stems grow, you can pinch them back and double their production – it's exponential! To remove flowers. Eventually most basil plants produce flowers.
Where do you cut basil to propagate?
To take a cutting from a basil plant, use clean herb snips or scissors to cut a four to six inch long stem. Clip it just below a leaf node (the spot on the stems where the leaves emerge) and at an angle to increase surface area for water uptake. Remove any leaves on the bottom third of the stem.
Can Thai basil be eaten raw?
Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don't wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil's would.
How do you pick basil leaves so it keeps growing?
0:551:51How To Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing BIG! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe main stem. And you're actually going to cut the main stem. Right above that node. So here we goMoreThe main stem. And you're actually going to cut the main stem. Right above that node. So here we go and we have a nice bouquet of basil here that we can use in a pesto.
What is special about Thai basil?
Unlike sweet basil, Thai basil's sturdy leaves retain structure and flavor even when cooked. That means that it can be added fresh as a garnish, to provide an herbaceous kick, but it can also be added during the cooking process, to infuse the whole dish with its aroma.
How often should you water Thai basil?
Growers who mass produce these plants in a greenhouse in the Southern areas might water them 2–3 times a day. If you're not one of them, you can water your Thai basil once every few days. For those plants you're growing in clay pots, ramp up the watering a bit.
Does Thai basil like full sun?
Thai basil prefers soil that is lightly moist, slightly acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate part shade.
Will Thai basil survive winter?
If you already have a favorite basil plant that produces lots of tasty leaves, there's no reason why you can't keep enjoying it indoors throughout the fall and winter. Placed in a cozy spot on a sunny windowsill, it will thrive throughout the cold months.
Should you top Thai basil?
Harvesting Thai Basil Also, water the Thai basil prior to harvest to intensify the flavor. Growing Thai basil tends to be more compact than other types of basil, so harvest at the top of a group of leaves; otherwise, the stem will rot.
How to grow basil from cuttings?
Growing basil from root propagation – Basil can easily be propagated simply by snipping a small section off an existing plant. Simply place the cutting, cut side down, in a clear glass of water and set it in a sunny spot.
How to keep basil plants from growing?
Water early in the mornings for best results. If you are in a hotter region or having a heat wave, adding mulch around the plant can help keep moisture in. Tip 2. Harvest often to encourage new growth. Tip 3. If a basil plant starts to flower, the basil leaves will start losing flavor and the plant will stop growing.
What is Basil?
It is a member of the mint family and grows as an annual. It is also quick-growing – from seed to harvest in just about 3 – 4 weeks – which makes this a rewarding herb to grow! If you haven’t grown herbs before, basil is a great one to start with.
What is the best basil to use for poultry?
A wonderful addition to poultry and fish dishes, it is also nice with veggies or as a tea. Spicy Globe Basil – A dwarf basil variety, spicy globe basil has a peppery, strong flavor with leaves small enough to use whole.
What is the difference between purple basil and Thai basil?
Purple basil adds a striking contrast as a garnish in prepared dishes. Thai Sweet Basil – Dark, smaller leaves with a hint of a licorice flavor, Thai sweet basil keeps its flavor even after cooked. It is often used in Asian dishes. Lemon Basil – An increasingly popular variety, lemon basil is easily found in nurseries.
What is the best basil to grow in a container?
It is great for containers, as it forms a tight, small clump when growing. Cinnamon Basil – Fragrant and full of spice, cinnamon basil has thin, small serrated leaves and tight, contrasting dark purplish flowers. It is as pretty as it is fun to use in the kitchen.
How to store basil leaves?
How to store basil – Basil can be used right off the plant. It can also be stored for later use. Drying the leaves, freezing them or preserving them in vinegar are all options for storing basil. Flavoring oil is another wonderful use. And, of course, don’t forget about making pesto! Fresh basil leaves will last a few days in water if they are stored in the refrigerator.
What is Thai basil?
Thai Basil. A cousin of the popular sweet basil, Thai basil has a somewhat stronger flavor with a hint of licorice and is popular in the cuisines of Southeast Asia. Freshly picked leaves can be added to salads, soups and sandwiches or dried for winter use.
Does Thai basil need sun?
Thai basil prefers soil that is lightly moist, slightly acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate part shade.
Is Thai basil good for frost?
The flowers make beautiful garnishes and look lovely in bouquets. Like other basils, Thai basil is a heat-loving plant and is especially susceptible to frost damage. Seeds and plants should not be put into the ground until the soil is warm (65 to 70 degrees F) and the weather has settled.
How to grow basil in a sunny area?
Handle the plants carefully, as they are quite delicate. Plant the new basil in a sunny area, water in, and fertilize with a nutrient-rich fish emulsion or seaweed solution two to three times during their active growing season. Sun is a key ingredient.
How tall does Thai basil grow?
Also referred to as ‘Sweet Thai,’ Thai basil plants grow to a height of between 12 to 18 inches (3 0.5-45.5 cm.) with leaves 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) long on purple stems with purple flowers. Like sweet basil, Thai basil is a perennial.
How long should I cut Thai basil before harvesting?
Unless, you are growing Thai basil as an ornamental, cut the flower off several days before harvest so the plant can focus all its energy on the leaves. When you harvest your growing Thai basil plant, take it down to about 6 inches (15 cm.).
What is Thai basil?
Thai basil ( Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a member of the mint family and as such has a particular sweet flavor reminiscent of anise, licorice, and clove. Popular among the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, growing Thai basil has a pleasing aroma similar to sweet basil and is generally used fresh ...
How much sunlight does Thai basil need?
Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Water weekly but keep the water off the leaves; water from the base. Over-watering will cause the leaves to yellow and drop, and under-watering will make flowers and buds suffer, so it is important to attain a balance when watering Thai basil.
How long does Thai basil beer last in the fridge?
Recipes online include one for making Thai basil beer and a recipe for Thai basil pesto with peanuts, rice vinegar, fish sauce, and sesame oil, which will keep in the refrigerator for a week. Yum!
When should I harvest Thai basil?
Harvest the leaves in the morning when their essential oils are at their peak and the flavor of the growing Thai basil will be at a premium.
How tall is a basil bush?
Those basil seeds just exploded and grew into a giant basil bush about three feet tall! And it took absolutely no fussing on my part whatsoever! It turns out that the easiest way to grow basil is to allow it to grow from seed in the same environment that it will be in throughout the season.
What does basil like?
Basil also likes a lot of the same things that tomatoes like: Heat, direct sun, and well-drained soil. A lot of people like to use an organic plant food on their tomatoes to really make them produce abundantly, but I’ve never needed to give my basil anything other than sun and water to make it grow to a ridiculous size.
Can you plant basil in the fall?
If you want to bring your basil inside in the fall, I recommend planting it directly in the pots that you’ll bring inside. The plants should do just fine moving indoors as long as you don’t physically dig them up and try to transplant them.
Can you grow basil in a garden?
If you’re experiencing unsatisfactory results from your basil, here’s the secret to growing basil successfully! If you’ve tried to grow basil in your garden in the past but weren’t very successful, there’s a good chance that you were making some ...
Do you water basil in the summer?
We’re lucky that we don’t usually have to worry about watering our garden too much during most summers because the rain does that for us and basil definitely reacts well to that. If you don’t get regular rain on most days during the summer, definitely water your basil quite frequently. We had a really dry start to the summer this year and I didn’t water as much as I should have. Our basil was still strong, but it didn’t really take off and it stayed quite small until I realized what was happening and started watering more regularly. Now that the rain is back, it has really grown a lot.
Uses
Cultivation
- Basil plants can be grown as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 10 and above. For most, it is a tender annual that only lasts until the first frost and must be replanted every season. Basil grows best in full sun. You will have fewer disease problems and sturdier plants. Basil is ready to start harvesting in about 60 to 90 days, from seed. Frequent harvesting or pinching of the leaves will …
Varieties
- The size of your plant will depend on the variety, the growing conditions, and how much you harvest. The Sweet Basil variety can reach 6 feet tall but grows to about 2 to 3 ft. for most gardeners. Continually pinching and using your basil will coax it into becoming bushy, with more leaves. There are also short 6-inch dwarf varieties, which work especially well in pots.
Prevention
- You'll want to prevent your basil from blooming for as long as possible by harvesting or pinching off the top sets of leaves as soon as the plant reaches about 6 inches in height. If the plant sets flowers, it is on its way to going to seed and will not grow bushy and fill out with a lot of tasty leaves. Once a basil plant goes to seed, the existing leaves begin to lessen in flavor, so don't b…
Symptoms
- Space plants about 10 inches apart. They will bush out. Begin pinching the tops off once the plants reach about 6 inches in height. If you don't pinch or harvest, the plants will grow tall and gangly, with few leaves, and will bolt to seed.
Risks
- Basil is very sensitive to frost and will be one of the first plants to go in the fall. You can extend the season slightly by covering your plants with row covers when frost is threatened. Don't let the row cover touch the leaves. Frost on the outside of the row cover is enough to damage the tender leaves and will likely turn them black.
Ecology
- Aphids are the biggest basil pest, especially if grown indoors. Beetles and slugs can be a nuisance outdoors, creating holes in the leaves.