Growing and Harvesting Basil the Right Way
Basil – Growing and Harvesting the King of Kitchen Herbs the Right Way
Basil is the best-selling kitchen herb – even though it's actually easy to grow. Most mistakes happen with watering and harvesting. With the right tricks, a single plant will provide from May to October.
Sow or Buy?
Sowing from March on the windowsill, from May outdoors (after the last frosts). Keep the substrate moist; at 20–25°C basil germinates in 7–14 days.
Supermarket pots are densely planted and bred for short shelf life. Repot and divide immediately – one pot often contains 10–15 plants.
Location and Warmth
Basil loves warmth and sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Only plant outdoors after the last frosts – even mild nights below 10°C cause noticeable damage.
Watering – the Most Common Mistake
Even moisture, no waterlogging. Feel the soil: lightly moist is ideal.
In pots: Watering from below (filling the saucer) is better than from above – the leaves stay dry, preventing fungal diseases.
Harvesting Correctly – So It Keeps Growing
The mistake most people make: picking individual leaves. The right way: cut whole shoot tips.
- Cut the shoot tip directly above a leaf pair
- Leave at least 2–3 leaf pairs on the stem
- Remove flowers immediately – afterward the leaves become smaller and more bitter
Varieties
- Genovese: The classic for pesto and pizza. Large, tender leaves.
- Thai basil: Spicier, with a light anise flavor. More heat-tolerant.
- Lemon basil: Fresh lemon aroma. Good for fish and desserts.
- Bush basil: Small-leaved, compact, ideal for pots.
Preserving
Eat pesto fresh – according to the BfR, keep home-made herbs in oil in the fridge and use by the next day – or freeze as oil cubes – blend directly with a little oil into an ice cube tray. Drying works, but costs a lot of aroma.
Sources
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Rare but avoidable: questions and answers about botulism, as of 12 Nov 2025, accessed 5 Oct 2026
The sources support individual statements in this article. The organisations named have neither reviewed nor endorsed it.