In this article, you will find in detail all the necessary information so that you can grow potted basil and we will guide you step by step so that you do not fail in the attempt. Learn all about how to plant Basil in a pot. Also, we will review tips for growing basil from seeds successfully. when to sow basil seeds. How to repot basil, and all about potted basil care.
Table of Contents
Main Characteristics of Basil
Main Characteristics of Basil. Basil is a plant that comes from the tropical regions of Central Africa and Southeast Asia. It is an annual crop and belongs to the Lamiaceae family.
This plant grows to be about 12” to 24” (30 to 60 cm) tall.
It is characterized by its intense green color and its culinary and numerous medicinal properties. In addition, its intense aroma serves to protect other plants of our crop from different pests.
Basil seeds are very small in size, smaller than a peppercorn. They are black and come from the flowers that the plant produces.
When to Plant Basil in a Pot
When to Plant Basil in Pot. Best time to sow basil. The best time of the year to plant it is in the spring. Between August and October in the southern hemisphere and in the northern hemisphere between February and April.
Once sown, Basil usually takes between 5 and 8 days to germinate depending on the temperatures at the time of the year it was sown.
What Kind of Substrate Does Basil Need?
It requires a substrate for seedlings, composed of fertile, deep, and aerated soil. Let’s see the Best Substrate for Basil.
The substrate for seedlings is composed of 3 components. The first one is sphagnum peat moss, another alternative to peat is coconut fiber. This component is going to be used in 70% of the total mixture. Its primary function will be to retain water and provide moisture to the soil.
The second ingredient is the perlite, an alternative if we do not get perlite can be the vermiculite. The proportion that we are going to use in this case is 15% of the total of the mixture, this is going to be in charge of aerating the soil.
The last component that we will be using is the worm humus, which will be composed of the remaining 15% of the mixture. The hummus will be the fertilizer in charge of providing the necessary nutrients. Learn how to make worm composting at home.
What Are the Ideal Temperatures for Plant Basil in Pot?
Best Temperature for Potted Basil. Basil likes warm environments and does not tolerate extreme cold or frost.
Its ideal temperature is between 59 and 77°F (15 and 25°C), the cold from 28.4°F (-2°C) stops its development.
How Much Light Does Basil Need?
How Much Light Does Basil Need? When talking about how much light Basil needs, it is necessary to be aware of the time of the year in which we are. In summer it is advisable to put it in an area where it is in semi-shade, especially at midday, since they suffer a lot from the direct sun during these hours.
Outdoors we must provide at least 6 to 8 hours of direct or indirect sunlight.
If we want growing potted basil indoors under artificial growing light for plants, they must have at least 10 to 12 hours of cold light (4200° kelvin).
How Much Watering Does Basil in Pot Need?
How Much Watering Does Basil in Pot Need? Watering should be moderate, every 2 or 3 days depending on the time of the year. In summer watering should be more frequent than in winter. It needs humid soils but is not waterlogged since its roots do not support soils with excess humidity.
We recommend watering directly on the soil without wetting the leaves, otherwise, we can cause them to rot or fungus always do it in the late afternoon or evening.
What Pot Does Basil Need?
What Pot Does Basil Need? To know how to plant Basil in pot, the choice of the pot is very important.
Basil is a plant that does not need a large pot size, it can even share a pot with other plants with similar growing requirements. It is advisable to have a pot that allows it to untangle the roots correctly so that it can have abundant foliage.
Size of a pot to plant basil in pot. The minimum pot size that we recommend is 6” (15 cm) in-depth and diameter, while the ideal size would be about 8” (20 cm) in height and diameter.
Now, once we know what size we need, the next thing we have to know is what kind of material is available and what things we have to take into account when we go to buy a pot for Basil. The most common materials for pots are plastic, clay, cement, and wood. Whatever material you choose for your pot, the important thing is that they have at least 5 drainage holes.
How to Plant Basil in Pot Step by Step
How to Plant Basil in Pot Step by Step. The ideal way to plant it is in seedbeds, although we can also do it directly in the soil of the garden or its definitive pot.
We discussed in the paragraphs above a few tips when choosing the pot for growing basil in pots. Let’s continue reading how to plant Basil in a pot, step-by-step.
- How to Plant Basil in Pot – Step 1: To sow Basil correctly and be successful, the first thing we are going to do is to place our seedbed substrate previously moistened with water in the seedbed, leaving 0.4” (1 cm) before reaching the edge of the seedbed.
- The second step is to take a handful of seeds (approximately 5 to 10 seeds) and spread them gently over the seedbed separated from each other, to avoid once they grow roots and stems touching each other.
- Then we are going to cover them with a thin layer of a substrate. We recommend that to do this, you take a little of the moistened substrate with your two hands stick them together, and rub gently so that it falls in an irregular and dispersed form in the seedbed.
- Once this is done, we must water the seedbed, for this, we recommend that you use a sprinkler, since it will avoid that the seeds move and ending up going to the bottom of the seedbed and causing them not to germinate.
- Once the plant develops the first 4 leaves, which will be approximately when it is 2” to 3” (5 to 7 cm) high, it should be repotted to its definitive place, either in a pot or in the garden.
- For repotting basil as with watering we recommend doing it after the sun goes down in the late afternoon. Once in its new place we must water it, let it grow, and prune it to a height of 10” (25 cm) approximately.
How to Care for Basil in Pot
Caring for Basil in Pot. Basil requires some essential care like most plants, i.e. fertile soil, adequate watering, and light. The greatest care must be taken when growing basil is to protect it from cold, frost, and wind.
Excess water can also be a problem, so it is advisable to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Therefore, it is best to ensure good drainage and this is particularly important for potted basil.
When they are in the seedbed, we can protect the basil seedlings from low temperatures by placing a transparent bag. This should cover the seedbed well to create a greenhouse effect.
