Basil is a plant that can either be grown indoors or outdoors in areas with adequate heat and sunshine. For basil to thrive well outdoor, it should be planted during summer while basil planted indoors can be cultivated all year round. Basil is an excellent ingredient for food and offers great beauty with a wonderful smell that will always permeate the house. Growing basil is easy if the growing environment has suitable temperature and light levels. The following steps can guide you in the growth of basil indoors.
- Firstly, select the type of basil to grow as basil comes in a wide range of types such as Cinnamon, lemon, African Blue, Greek, and Thai Basil among others.
- Proper soil is vital if one is to produce healthy Basil. For this one will need soil that is properly drained and that has enough nutrients. The soil pH should be at least 6.0 and less than 7.5. One should check the PH after every four to six weeks and maintaining PH using organic fertilizer will help to maintain it at this level.
- Begin the growth of basil seeds indoors for up to 6 weeks. Press the soil slightly for elimination of any air pockets present then dampen the soil.
- Drop a seed or two in a container then cover it with soil lightly. Cover the container with clear plastic wraps then leave by a sunny window. Water sparingly two times a day.
- Immediately two sets of leaves form, space the basil for excellent growth. Avoid frost at all cost as it kills basil.
- Make the plant bushy by plucking off two leaf pairs when the stalk is long enough. This is done to enable new shoots sprout.
- If the basil is meant for cooking, it should not be allowed to bloom. Pinch out flowers when they emerge.
- Watering the plant is another factor that one should be keen about. The watering should be soggy but one should not make it drenched. Drain any excess water immediately from the bottom of the container.
- The basil plant should be placed on window towards the south as this will help it to get the sun it needs especially if this is done for a minimum of six hours every day. Artificial lamps should be considered if one cannot be able to do the above. Generic fluorescent lights especially made for planted herbs. If using both the artificial and the window light, place the plant on the window for about three hours. Then place the plant under the fluorescent light for six hours.
Planting basil indoors calls for patience and skill to see results in eight to fourteen days. Wait for the plants to sprout about two to four set of leaves before the harvesting is done. Basil being a culinary and medicinal herb, its growth brings forth various benefits to the cultivator.